Delaware Park Casino Launches $5M Outdoor Slot Patio for Smokers
Delaware Park Casino in Wilmington has introduced a $5 million outdoor gaming patio designed specifically for smoking patrons. This new open-air area allows guests to enjoy over 250 slot machines while smoking cigars or cigarettes in a comfortable environment with carefully maintained temperatures.
Expanded Slot Machine Offering with New Outdoor Patio
The new 10,000-square-foot patio boosts Delaware Park’s total number of slot machines to more than 1,900, making it the largest casino in the state. The space is equipped to operate year-round, featuring heaters to keep guests warm during colder months and fans to provide cooling in the summer.
Terry Glebocki, Delaware Park’s President and General Manager, highlights that the expansion reflects the casino’s commitment to enhancing customer experiences by catering to diverse preferences. The outdoor patio offers smokers a designated area to play without exposing non-smoking guests inside the main building to smoke.
The smoking patio aligns with Delaware’s strict regulations that have prohibited indoor smoking in workplaces and public areas, including casinos, since the early 2000s. By situating the smoking area outdoors, Delaware Park complies with state laws while still accommodating players who prefer to smoke while gaming.
Year-Round Comfort in a Thoughtfully Designed Space
The patio features openings six feet high on all sides, facilitating easy access and airflow. Around 50 heaters are installed to ensure the area remains warm and inviting during colder weather. According to Glebocki, the goal was to create a venue that is enjoyable in every season, allowing players to continue gaming without interruptions.
This addition is part of a series of recent upgrades at Delaware Park following its acquisition in 2021 by Clairvest Equity Partners from Canada and Rubico Gaming, led by Thomas Benninger. The casino underwent a $10 million renovation in 2023 aimed at modernizing the historic facility while maintaining its competitive edge.
Established by William du Pont Jr. in 1937 as a thoroughbred racetrack, Delaware Park evolved into a racino in the mid-1990s. Today, it remains the most profitable among Delaware’s three licensed gaming venues, generating nearly $196 million in gross gaming revenue during the 2025 fiscal year.
By introducing this new outdoor gaming space, Delaware Park continues to strengthen its leadership position within the state’s casino market, blending tradition with innovation to offer guests an enhanced and comfortable gaming experience.
