In exactly one week, the glitz and glamor of the Hollywood Gaming Mahoning Valley Race Course will be open for all to see.


On the outside, the racino complex is still a construction area with workers and equipment completing landscaping and other jobs. Inside, it's down to the final touches and employee training.

The general manager of the complex, Mike Galle said they are currently in the process of training team members, while construction crews are finishing up the final details. 

On opening day the racino will offer 850 video lottery terminal's, but based on demand, that could quickly expand to 1200 or even 1500 machines. 

Bob Tenenbaum of Penn National Gaming explained that customers will see little difference between a casino slot machine and a racino VLT. 

"To the customer there's no discernible difference at all, they look the same, they operated the same and they pay out pretty much the same," Tenenbaum said. 

The main difference is that video lottery terminal's in Ohio are all connected.

"All seven racino's are feeding data into a central system operated by the Ohio Lottery Commission," Tenenbaum added. 

Customers will also have a variety of food options, including a coffee and pastry shop, a burger and sandwich-type restaurant, and an Italian cuisine restaurant that will feature pasta and pizza. 

The Skybox Sports Bar is a full service restaurant on the second level overlooking the 25,000 square foot gaming floor. There is also a main stage for live entertainment.

The racino was presented with it's official permit for horse racing by racing commission member Mark Munroe. Racing begins November 24th