LEBANON, Ohio (Dec. 12, 2013) – Miami Valley Gaming, a joint venture of gaming and hospitality leader Delaware North Companies Gaming & Entertainment and legendary Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI), officially opened its doors today to thousands of residents from the Dayton and Cincinnati regions of Southwest Ohio.
Despite frigid morning temperatures, a large crowd of several thousand people became the first guests at Miami Valley Gaming, Ohio’s newest gaming venue. The new facility features 1,600 of the gaming industry’s newest video lottery terminals, a racing simulcast center broadcasting races from around the country, and a 5/8-mile harness racetrack, opening in February to replace Lebanon Raceway, that will accommodate more than 1,000 harness-racing fans in an indoor grandstand.
“The local community has been continually supportive of Miami Valley Gaming, and we’re pleased we can finally welcome guests to this new, regional entertainment destination,” said Jim Simms, president and general manager of Miami Valley Gaming, who was joined today by CDI and Delaware North executives and state and local government officials for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“We hope that our comfortable restaurants, bars, gaming and racing and entertainment options will keep guests coming back. It is a great accomplishment to open our doors, and we hope that Miami Valley Gaming will only increase the region’s status as Ohio’s Largest Playground,” Simms said.
Just off of I-75 at Exit 29, Miami Valley Gaming is located about midway between Dayton and Cincinnati.
“The opening of Miami Valley Gaming is a truly exciting moment for Delaware North Companies and Churchill Downs Incorporated, partners in bringing a world-class gaming, racing and entertainment complex to Southwest Ohio,” said Brian Hansberry, president of Delaware North Companies Gaming & Entertainment. “We are confident that people in the Dayton and Cincinnati areas and communities in between will discover this convenient, elegant and comfortable destination and all it has to offer.”
“The collaboration between the Delaware North and Churchill Downs design teams produced a stunning facility that all of Ohio can be proud of,” said Austin Miller, CDI’s senior vice president of gaming operations. “We are not only adding another great entertainment destination to Southwest Ohio, but also with it, new tax revenues and jobs to the region. The Miami Valley Gaming facility was designed with service, fun and entertainment in mind. We built all of the latest technology and gaming machines into this great facility, and the excitement will continue when we open the grandstand and track to Ohio’s harness-horse racing community and fans in a few months. We invite all Ohioans to come out and enjoy the property and all of its amenities.”
Hansberry and Miller thanked everyone involved in making the new venue possible, including the Ohio State Racing Commission, Ohio Lottery Commission and Warren County, plus the hundreds of construction workers and many local firms that helped Delaware North and CDI construct Miami Valley Gaming in less than a year. They also praised the Miami Valley Gaming staff that has been assembled to operate the new venue.
Miami Valley Gaming boasts four new dining options for the region: CinCity, a 1940s-cool steak and seafood restaurant with upscale service but a high-level casual feel; Acres Seasonal Buffet, featuring a wide array of prepared cuisine and action stations focused on serving dishes using fresh, Ohio-grown produce; Trifecta, three fast-casual eateries in one where guests can savor brick-oven pizzas, famous Cincinnati and other chili, and specialty burgers; and MV Perks, a coffee shop also offering pastries, shakes, and smoothies.
Miami Valley Gaming also offers two tavern options: 1803 Bar and Center Bar. Paying homage to the year Ohio became the 17th state, 1803 Bar features both traditional and dining seating and a game of Ohio-specific trivia. Center Bar is a highlight of the gaming floor area, featuring full-service cocktails, spirits, wines and craft brews and other beers.
The facility is expected to generate at least $24 million per year for local communities and provide more than 500 jobs in the region.
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