A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place Thursday morning (August 28) at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway. The event signaled the official opening of the Ohio racino, which will see its inaugural meet of live harness racing kick off on October 3.

Although live racing will be getting underway in October, simulcast wagering is available at the track effective immediately.

“Today marks the opening of our third gaming facility in Ohio and, with our fourth set to open in just a few weeks, clearly demonstrates our commitment to the state,” Jay Snowden, Penn National’s executive vice president and chief operating officer was quoted as saying via release. “We’ve studied the strength of this market and are excited to offer guests a premier gaming and entertainment destination plus state-of-the-art racing facilities that are convenient to both I-75 and I-70 and just 10 minutes from downtown Dayton.”

The contents of Penn National’s release on the official opening of Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway appear below.

Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway Brings Gaming Action, Harness Racing Plus Dining and Entertainment

The red carpet rolls out in North Dayton today as Penn National Gaming proudly showcases the glitz, glamour and grandeur of Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway to the public for the first time.

Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley and other local government officials will join Penn National executives and Hollywood team members for a ribbon-cutting event featuring hometown hero and Baseball Hall of Fame member Mike Schmidt. After the ceremony, thousands of patrons will head inside to experience the Las Vegas gaming and entertainment-style of Hollywood Casino at Dayton Raceway.

“Today marks the opening of our third gaming facility in Ohio and, with our fourth set to open in just a few weeks, clearly demonstrates our commitment to the state,” said Jay Snowden, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Penn National. “We’ve studied the strength of this market and are excited to offer guests a premier gaming and entertainment destination plus state-of-the-art racing facilities that are convenient to both I-75 and I-70 and just 10 minutes from downtown Dayton.”

Economic Impact

Approximately one million guests are expected to visit the $250 million facility annually from Ohio and throughout the Midwest, bringing increased tourism and tax revenues to Montgomery County and the state of Ohio.

Hollywood Casino at Dayton Raceway employs nearly 500 workers, with more than 90 percent of those coming from the greater Dayton area, driving significant local employment in the community.

Gaming Floor: Design and Video Lottery Terminals

Guests will be transported back to 1930’s-style Hollywood ambiance as they set foot on the gaming floor and experience the art-deco design details on display throughout the property.

“We want our guests to feel as if they’ve re-entered the Golden Age of Hollywood,” said Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway General Manager Gary DeWitt. “Vintage Hollywood never goes out of style and we’ve created an atmosphere of classic sophistication throughout the property.”

The 33,000 square-foot gaming floor will feature 1,000 video lottery terminals (VLTs) with the newest and hottest games. Denominations will range from penny to $25 games, with jackpots up to $100,000.

Marquee Rewards

Guests will be given the opportunity for a full Hollywood experience with the Marquee Rewards® players club, available at no cost. Marquee Rewards allows players to earn tier points and Marquee Comps® at dining and retail outlets, plus invitations to special events and more at properties throughout the region including Hollywood casinos in Columbus and Toledo, Ohio; Lawrenceburg, Indiana; the soon-to-open Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course near Youngstown, Ohio; plus, Las Vegas and beyond.

Five tier levels include Marquee, Celebrity, Producer, Executive Producer and Icon. The more you play, the more you earn. Sign up is available at Player Services on property with valid driver’s license.

Dining and Retail

Several dining options are available at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway to suit a range of guest tastes, headlined by the Skybox Sports Bar.

The 150-seat Skybox features a high-energy atmosphere with top-notch views of both the harness racing track and the gaming floor. The menu includes pub fare such as wings and burgers perfect for the sports fan, and is well complimented by sophisticated menu options such as succulent steaks and seafood. Skybox is open Sunday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. until midnight. The bar is open daily from 11 a.m. until 2 a.m.

For guests looking to grab a quick bite, the property’s Food Court features a wide range of food options including Hollywood & Grind for coffee and pastries, Take 2 Grille for burgers and sandwiches, and Ciao which offers Italian-style fare such as pizza, salads and desserts. Concessions, including Best of All on the upper level and Trackside on the lower level, are available just steps away from the live and simulcast horse racing areas. Hours of operation can be found on the property’s website.

The H Lounge is an entertainment venue you won’t want to miss, offering premium spirits, a variety of beers on tap and by bottle, plus top-notch regional entertainment weekly. H Lounge is open daily from 11 a.m. until 2 a.m.

Studio Store gift shop is located just off of the gaming floor and features everything from Hollywood-branded clothing and memorabilia to jewelry, gifts and everyday essentials.

Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Parking is complimentary, and valet service is available for $5 (free for Producer, Executive Producer and Icon Marquee Rewards card holders).

For more information, visit www.hollywooddaytonraceway.com.