Driving to the nearest gas station to purchase lotto tickets and dollar scratch-offs is no longer filling the empty void left by the absence of casinos in Ohio, so now what? As lady luck would have it, the Buckeye State is surrounded by states that offer a multitude of venues for Ohioans to distill all of their pent-up gambling energy. While late night poker sessions with the guys in the basement are entertaining, nothing compares to the exhilaration pulsating throughout your body as your hand releases the dice in a luxurious gambling establishment.
MICHIGAN
Greektown Casino
555 Lafayette
Detroit, MI
888-771-4FUN
www.greektowncasino.com
Stationed in the heart of the historic and vivacious Greektown district, Greektown Casino thrives on the old adage: Location. Location. Location. While MGM and Motor City Casinos have long abandoned their original locations and celebrated grand re-openings in newer, flashier spaces, Greektown's sole addition has been a new parking garage. Located next to the “People Mover” – Detroit’s driverless one-way loop automated transit system through the central business district – the casino is easily accessible to out-of-towners. Within walking distance of Comerica Park and Joe Louis Arena, Casino guests can catch Tigers and Red Wings games in Detroit's sports district in between gambling sessions.
Greektown offers an array of cutting-edge video poker games, rivaling those in Sin City. There are also more than 2,500 slot machines available in denominations ranging from one penny to $100 machines. A favorite within the Casino is Greektown's Nickel Heaven, a slot machine oasis offering hundreds of nickel slot machines.
MGM Grand
1300 John C. Lodge Dr
Detroit. MI
877-888-2121
www.mgmgranddetroit.com
MGM Grand is the only casino that arrived in Detroit with an identity and reputation already intact. Spawning from its Vegas predecessor, Detroit's version is housed in a former IRS building. After reopening in late 2007, MGM Grand upped the ante in Detroit, just as its Vegas version redefined the desert gaming town. MGM Grand is also the first-ever Las Vegas-style destination to open up in a major metropolitan center.
In April, MGM's Grand Garden was overhauled and given a fresh facelift. Design Solutions, the renowned firm responsible for its seasonal presentations at Rockefeller Center and the Bellagio Conservatory, created a one-of-a-kind spring-themed exhibit featuring a 15-foot-high French-glazed flower pot blooming with glass parrot tulips. Guests entering the MGM Grand will stroll through the surreal setting before entering the casino.
MotorCity
2901 Grand River Avenue
Detroit, MI
866-782-9622
www.motorcitycasino.com
The name says it all: MotorCity Casino embraces all things Detroit. MotorCity offers four floors of elegance, and the sleek and modern structure disguises the buildings former tenant: The Wonder Bread Baking Factory. MotorCity is an innovator in the industry. It was the first casino in the United States to forgo coins and voucher slips. Guests receive a Club Metro Coinless Ccard which works as a debit card. Players transfer cash balances to and from their Club Metro account through a credit meter on the machines.
Tucked away within MotorCity's exterior is the only four diamond-rated restaurant in Detroit. Iridescence is located high atop the hotel tower and features modern American cuisine created by renowned chef Adam Hightower.
Casino Windsor
445 Riverside, Windsor
888-771-4FUN
www.casinowindsor.com
Recently obtained by Caesar's, Casino Windsor has been totally revamped after undergoing a $400 million renovation and expansion. The new Caesar's Windsor will feature a 400-room hotel tower with 23 stories, 100,000 square feet of convention space, new restaurants and retail space. Located on Windsor's riverfront overlooking the Detroit skyline, the casino offers breathtaking views and rivals the opulence of Vegas Casinos. The casino offers various five-course gourmet restaurants, and an internationally-themed buffet rounds out the casinos diverse culinary attractions.
INDIANA
Caesar's Riverboat
1450 Stucky Road Southeast
Elizabeth, IN 47117
812-969-6000
www.caesarsindiana.com
Although there are no casinos located on land in Kentucky, one only has to gaze across the horizon of the Ohio River to take in the sights of the world's largest floating gambling establishment. Caesar's Indiana riverboat casino in Elizabeth, Ind. is a 452-foot dockside Roman fortitude dripping in lavish Italian décor. Boasting one of the best stud poker rooms west of Atlantic City, the vessel features more than 2,800 slot machines and 140 gaming tables. The palatial watercraft is divided into four themed decks. High stakes gaming can be found on the fourth deck, where 16 European-styled two-tiered tables offer blackjack, roulette and craps. The other three decks offer slots, table games and video poker.
Argosy Casino
777 Argosy Parkway
Lawrenceburg, Indiana 47025
888-Argosy-7
www.argosy.com/cincinnati
Floating further up the Ohio River, two hours northeast of Elizabeth, another superboat casino – known as the Argosy VI – sits dockside. With capabilities to accommodate 4,000 passengers, the Argosy VI provides three football field-length decks of entertainment including 2,300 slot machines and more than 80 table games. A 300-room hotel located adjacent to the riverboat provides three levels of restaurants, bars and lounges. Bogarts' Grille is steeped in Casablanca mystique, and has the ambience of an alfresco Italian Café. A Midwest barbeque is located down the corridor at Chartroom, a casual sports bar.
WEST VIRGINIA
Gaming tables like poker, blackjack and craps are prohibited in West Virginia, and any establishment found owning a gaming table is subject to a hefty fine or imprisonment. But, West Virginia is the home to “racinos,” a hybrid of gaming that combines horse race wagering and slot machines.
Charles Town Races and Slots
580 East 5th Ave.
Ranson, West Virginia 25438
800-795-7001
www.ctownraces.com/site/
Live thoroughbred racing is offered year round and the horse track is open from 7 a.m. to 4 a.m. daily. Guests can also bet on simulcast races from the best tracks across the country. With more than 5,000 slots to try your luck on, you won’t even notice the absence of the gaming tables. Currently, Charles Town is expanding its indoor park by adding flowers, greenery and even more slots. A massive new hotel is also set to open in September.
Mountaineer Racetrack and Gaming Resort
Route 2 South
Chester, WV 26034
304-387-8300
www.mtrgaming.com
West Virginia's other racino, Mountaineer Racetrack features more than 3,200 total slots located within 80,000 square feet of betting excitement. Thoroughbred races take place from 7-10:45 p.m. Friday through Tuesday, with no live races on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Mountaineer is also home to the annual West Virginia Derby which will be held Saturday, Aug. 2 from 2-9 p.m.
With 11 restaurants, a decadent gift shop, a full service spa and a fitness center, the resort provides plenty of opportunities to celebrate your winnings while enjoying your stay.
Alexia Cameron is a contributing writer for CityScene.