AUSTINTOWN, Ohio - It's the first Saturday in May which means the Kentucky Derby kicked off this afternoon.

People at Hollywood Gaming in Austintown placed bets on their pick to win.

The racino broadcast the event live on its outdoor screen.

Hollywood Gaming says events like the derby bring in people from all over the area to gamble.

Allie Evangelista, General Manager at Hollywood Gaming Austintown said, "WE ALWAYS SEE ON DAYS LIKE THIS, GUESTS COMING TO VISIT FOR THE FIRST TIME. PEOPLE FROM COLUMBUS AND CLEVELAND COMING TO VISIT THE PROPERTY. BUT THE LOCAL GUESTS MAKE THESE DAYS SPECIAL BECAUSE THEY'RE OUT AND ABOUT ON special days too."

Although the racino is still operating at 50 percent capacity due to the pandemic, management says online wagers reached record highs on major race days like the Derby.