| Casino doubles down on glitz |
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| Written by JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN Sentinel County Editor | ||||||||
| Tuesday, 22 May 2012 09:45 | ||||||||
The $320 million development, located off Interstate 75 at the downtown Rossford exit, is getting its final touches in preparation for its public debut on May 29 at 2 p.m. SEE MORE PHOTOS Media from all over Ohio and Michigan gathered at the casino to take in the glitz and glamour of the Hollywood style casino. The 125,000-square-foot facility features 2,002 slot machines all competing with gamblers for their attention - and money. The brightly colored machines boast names like "Jumpin' Jalapenos," "Sex in the City," "Hangover," "Pirate's Loot," "Invaders of Planet Moolah" and exclusive to this casino, "Breakfast at Tiffany's." Sixty game tables also offer gamblers a chance to win big at black jack, poker, roulette and craps. The "high limit games" area of the casino looks the part, with a gold leaf ceiling. But to win big, customers will have to spend big, with the $250,000 top award costing $200 per spin. During the media tours on Monday, the dealers hired to staff the game tables were practicing their skills at the blackjack tables. When introduced to the media, the dealers erupted into cheers at the prospect of opening to the public. The Las Vegas style casino is the picture of extravagance, with towering ornately carved columns, posh dining accommodations, and TV screens showing sporting events everywhere the eye can see.
"We want people to come here for entertainment," Hopkins said. In addition to gambling opportunities, the casino will have: • 880 surveillance cameras. • 224 TV screens. • 16,700 feet of beer lines going to 54 taps. • 72,000 feet of liquor lines with 48 different brands. • Five restaurants/lounges. Hopkins said the casino's payouts will be comparable to those in Detroit area casinos. "We want to be competitive with them," he said. And whether they win or lose, Hopkins said the goal is to make the experience pleasant. "People who aren't so lucky hopefully enjoy their time here," Hopkins said. In addition to the hundreds of screens showing sporting events, some screens keep with the theme of the casino and show old black and white movie classics. Huge photographs of stars like Gary Cooper, Clark Gable, Audrey Hepburn, Spencer Tracy and Marilyn Monroe hang above the gaming areas. The art deco decor is intended to mimic "the high style era of Hollywood" in the 1930s, according to Jason Birney, vice president of marketing at the casino. The five restaurants in the casino also reflect the movie theme, with names like Epic Buffet, Scene and Take 2 Grill. The Final Cut Steak and Seafood restaurant features dresses worn by actresses Katie Holmes and Ann Margaret, plus a tuxedo once donned by Elvis. The buffet restaurant is the largest eating area, seating 260, and costing $15.99 for lunch and $21.99 for dinner. In keeping with the Hollywood theme, the gift shop is named Rodeo Drive. According to officials giving the tour, this casino will have no problem holding its own with casinos in Detroit and Cleveland. This site has about 3,000 covered parking spaces, at no charge, and is a no smoking facility, unlike those in the Detroit area. "We're going to have red carpet services that you guys deserve," Hopkins said. Though concerns have been expressed about an oversaturation of casino sites, Birney said the Hollywood site can compete. "I think we're a completely separate product," from Cleveland, he said. "I think there's room in northern Ohio for both." The target customer area for the owner, Penn National Gaming, includes Michigan suburbs to the north, Sandusky to the east, Findlay to the south, and Indiana to the west. An annual attendance of 2.8 million is expected at the site which will be open 24/7. The casino employs more than 1,300 full- and part-time positions, with at least 90 percent from the Toledo area. |
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| Last Updated on Tuesday, 22 May 2012 11:09 |
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