Let the games begin! Doors opening
Throngs ready to attend official opening of nation's newest casino
Mar. 4, 2013 7:57 PM
Written by
Alexander Coolidge
Four years after developers began politicking to legalize wider gambling in Ohio, the nation’s newest casino opened Monday night to throngs looking to try their luck.
Thousands of patrons filled the casino floor that rang with the electic chimes of slot machines and the raucus crowds gathered aroung gambling tables.
It’s too soon to say how successful the casino will ultimately be, but gamblers and curisity seekers braved the frigid weather to be among the first to play.
"The cold's OK with me, baby!" declared Kim Brooks of Madisonville, a 45-year-old owner of a graphics design business. "We need something to liven up downtown. This will bring in people, visitors and new vitality."
Brooks was dancing to the thumping beat of music blaring outside as the casino prepared to open. Next to her in line was Rhonda Claiborne, 50, of Downtown.
"I'm very excited they're bringing something downtown," she said. "I'm ready to go in there and win some money."
Not everybody planned to take a chance at the slots or tables.
We're parrotheads -- we don't get a chance to open a Margaritaville everyday," said Rob Hamilton, a 50-year-old freight supervisor, who drove in from Louisville for Monday's opening. "I've been to almost half of them. I'm not here for the casino."
Geoff Devin of Deer Park, a 37-year-old grocery store manager, was waiting in line to check out the action in the Horseshoe's poker room.
"Not sure I'll give up on Hollywood - but this is closer to home," he said, adding he liked the easily comped hotel rooms at the Lawrenceburg casino.
Chef Flay in to oversee restaurant opening
The new casino also brought additional restaurants to Cincinnati.
TV personality and “Iron Chef” Bobby Flay was in town to oversee the opening of Bobby’s Burger Palace, the first Midwestern location in his chain. The burgers on the menu are inspired by his travels around the United States – Napa Valley, Dallas and Santa Fe.
“I have no chefisms about American cheese. It melts well and really is the best choice for a cheeseburger.”
The eatery also makes its own ice cream for signature shakes, like pistachio and the alcoholic vanilla caramel bourbon shake.
Asked at a media event Monday if he’d consider whether Graeter’s black raspberry chip might make a good shake, he immediately asked someone to go pick up five gallons so he could get to work on it.
Buffett's Margaritaville live
Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, with seating for 400, also opened Monday night. The tropical-themed eatery offered customers live music and its signature margaritas and specialty dishes like Jerk salmon and Baja fish tacos.
Bedecked with fake palm trees, a tin-roof bar with walls painted depicting blue skies, the eatery was set up to offer a bit of island getaway amid the bustle of the gaming floor.
Ohio casino notes
Costing more than $450 million, the casino was authorized by Ohio voters in 2009 along with three other casinos in Columbus, Cleveland and Toledo. The Columbus casino opened in October and the other two opened in May.
The casino employs 1,700 workers. The casino is projected to generate $300 million in gambling revenue with $100 million of that going to Ohio taxpayers under the state’s 33 percent gambling tax.
The 400,000-square-foot complex features 2,000 slot machines, 87 gambling tables and a 31-table World Series of Poker room. It also features six sit-down restaurants: Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, Bobby’s Burger Palace (by celebrity chef Bobby Flay), Jack Binion’s Steak, the Spread Buffet, Cafe Italia and Starbucks Coffee.
Shauna Steigerwald and Polly Campbell contributed.
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20130...eakingnews
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Let the games begin! Doors opening
