The Penn National Gaming site at 4701 Wagner Ford Road - Ohio's newest racino — opened Aug. 28.
The fight for gaming in Ohio has been a long and brutal one.
That was then.
Six racinos and four full casinos have opened since 2012. The casinos are located in Cleveland, Toledo, Columbus and Cincinnati.
A seventh racino, Hollywood Gaming Youngstown, is set to open Sept. 17.
When asked about oversaturation of gaming facilities, DeWitt expressed optimism in the Dayton racino.
“We have always been positive about the Dayton market and we continue to be positive about the Dayton market, he said.
Below are some of the things you will find at the Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway:
Food
The racino does not have a buffet, but there are a variety of dining styles.
• The jewel is the full-service Sky Box restaurant on the facility's second floor. It is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.
DeWitt said diners are treated to a bird’s eye view.
“On one side, you can overlook the gaming floor. On the other side, you can overlook the race track ,” he said. “It really is a nice setup. I think our customers will really like it.”
Menu items range from nacho and chicken appetizers to New York Strip Steak entrees.
An order of chicken wings will cost you about $10, while a pasta or fish entree will cost about $18.
The restaurant will eventually offer dining specialties, Dewitt said.
• The food court is open 24 hours a day and has three restaurant brands common in Penn National's facilities: Take 2 Grill — burger, jumbo hot dogs, similar items; Ciao — pizza, pasta and other Italian eats; Hollywood and Grind — coffee, pastries and other breakfast items.
The facility's concession stand areas — Track Side on the main floor and Best of All on the second floor — will be open too when there is live harness racing. The Best of All name is a tribute to the Ohio harness racing horse — the 1967 winner of Delaware County's Little Brown Jug — of the same name.
Racing
DeWitt said live harness races will take place from Oct. 3 to Dec. 27
“We have over 1,000 seats for our racing fans,” he said. “There is a lot of excitement surrounding the fact that we are a harness racing (facility).”
Races will start at 6:30 p.m. each day except Sundays and Tuesdays.
While the gaming floor is strictly for those 18 and over, minors can enter the harness racing areas when accompanied by adults. They can also eat at the Sky Box restaurant.
“We do have a separate racing entrance,” DeWitt said.
The facility’s second floor has a simulcast horse-racing theater.
Drink
The entertainment amenities include an H Lounge location. The bar is near the rear of the building and has an elevated stage.
“We will bring in some of the more popular local acts,” DeWitt said.
He said the bar will cater to those looking to sit back and watch their favorite sporting event or people watch.
“Not everyone who comes in will want to sit in front of a VLT (video lottery terminal) or watch harness racing,” he said. “They want to come in and relax and just enjoy themselves.”
The bar will feature mixed drinks and beer starting at $4. DeWitt said there will be at least 12 draft beer taps in all.
“There will be a variety of draft beer and bottle beer,” he said.
Shopping
The Studio Store gift shop items for sale include polo shirts, T-shirts, sundry items, jewelry and Hollywood inspired merchandise.
Parking
There are 1,800 surface parking spaces.
Overnight accommodation?
The racino does not include a hotel. DeWitt said there is space for possible expansion.
“That would depend on our level of success,” he said. “If things go well, we will certainly look at expansion possibilities.”
Hollywood
Like other Hollywood casinos and racinos, the Dayton location is decorated with movie and old Hollywood memorabilia.
That includes four very large projection screens for up-to-date movie trailers and two large changing static movie billboards.
“When our customers first walk in, there’s no question they will realize they are at a Hollywood property,” he said. “The projectoin boards hit you almost as soon as you walk in.”
Contact this blogger at arobinson@DaytonDailyNews.com or Twitter.com/DDNSmartMouth
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