For more than 50 years, the Scioto Downs facility in Columbus, Ohio has showcased the thrill of harness horse racing. Today, the excitement outdoors echoes inside—24 hours a day, 7 days a week—with simulcast races from across the country, live entertainment, a choice of dining experiences, and now, a new “racino.”
Owned by MTR Gaming Group, Inc., the new 117,000-square-foot gaming center’s estimated cost totaled more than $150 million and was built on a rapid, two-part schedule. The doors opened on June 1, 2012, just six months after the start of construction. The second phase was completed two months later in August. The facility ushered in a new era of gaming in Ohio. Scioto Downs as the first of Ohio’s racetracks to include video lottery terminals (VLTs).