The Hollywood Casino: Ohio's newest casino opens its doors in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio’s newest casino is now open for business. The Hollywood Casino in Columbus opened Monday on the city’s west side.

Ohio State football legend Archie Griffin served as emcee for the 10 a.m. ribbon cutting. The two-time Heisman Trophy winner was joined by Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman, Former Heavyweight Boxing Champion James “Buster” Douglas and Actress Ann-Margret.

“I would like to officially welcome players to the region’s largest and newest gaming destination,” said Penn National President and Chief Operating Officer Tim Wilmott. “We’re thrilled for guests from throughout Ohio and beyond to experience Hollywood’s unique style of premier gaming, dining and entertainment in a luxurious and modern atmosphere. ”

Like its Toledo counterpart, the $400 million Columbus Hollywood captures the Golden Age of Hollywood with its art deco design and posters of movie classics throughout.

In addition like the Hollywood Toledo, a giant video ribbon uses the latest technology to play movie trailers, vintage commercials and animation. Flat panel monitors and video trees interspersed among slots and table games allow guests to enjoy entertainment and live sports programming as they play.

The casino has 3,000 slots, 900 more than Cleveland’s Horseshoe Casino and 78 table games, eight more than Horseshoe. Both casinos feature 30-table poker rooms.

The Hollywood is the third of the voter approved four casinos in the state to open.

The Horseshoe Cleveland opened May 14, followed two weeks later by the Hollywood Toledo. The Horseshoe Cincinnati is scheduled to open next spring.

Located just off I-270 at the Georgesville and Broad Street exits, the casino expects to draw around three million visitors a year.

Interesting to note the Hollywood Columbus is the first casino in the state to open within close proximity to a racino. Sciota Downs, which added video lottery terminals in June, is located about 10 miles away.