Mountaineer Casino
We often don’t think of West Virginia as a mini Las Vegas but little do many of us know at its northern tip in the town of New Cumberland lies the famous Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack, and Resort. And yes, the casino is often buzzing day and night, making it the ultimate destination if you’re passing through.
So, where is this somewhat secluded casino? Right on the Ohio-West Virginia border and about 40 miles northwest of good old Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. So, if you’re traveling through the Upper Ohio Valley and casino gaming is your thing, be sure to check out West Virginia gambling at Mountaineer.
You’ll be glad you did.
History of Mountaineer Casino
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The property has contributed its own part of US gambling history. Planning for a racetrack up in Chester can be traced all the way back to 1937 and was to be called Waterford Downs. While the public offering was approved in 1939, but because of several unfortunate events (including World War II), it was delayed until 1948.
Opening day for the racetrack known as Waterford Park wouldn’t occur until 1951.
James F. Edwards bought the track in the mid-1950s and in 1969, Ogden Corporation bought Edwards’ holdings.
In 2019, the casino was sold to Century Casinos and Vici Properties, with Century taking the operating business and Vici taking the land and buildings while entering a leasing agreement with Century.
Now that you know a little background on the casino, let’s look at what this jewel in New Cumberland has to offer.
Casino Games Offered
Mountaineer Casino offers approximately 1,000 slot machines among 78,000 square feet of gaming space. The casino also offers smoking and non-smoking sections, so you don’t have to worry about giving up your seat if you are a smoker.
The casino also offers high-stakes slot areas that feature bets of $10, $25, and up to $100.
Mountaineer also offers the standard table games like Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Let it Ride, Three Card Poker, Four Card Poker, the works. You name it, Mountaineer is sure to have it. Also offered is Texas Holdem for real money, so if you’re into some live poker action, Mountaineer will provide.
And like many casinos these days, Mountaineer also operates the William Hill Sportsbook where you can bet on your favorite sporting events. Bets offered include futures, parlays, straight bets, round robins, teasers, etc.
The most popular sports featured include football, baseball, basketball, hockey, MMA, NASCAR, and more. The sportsbook’s hours of operation are Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m., and from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Dining Options
Within the casino’s walls are three outstanding restaurants and one sports bar. So whether you’re in the mood for fine dining or if you’re just looking to chill and watch the latest sporting event, Mountaineer Casino’s dining options have you covered.
If you’re looking for something more laid back and quick, then try Big Al’s, located right near the gaming floor. Big Al’s offers deli-style sandwiches and whole pies of pizza plus homemade ice cream and fresh-baked dessert. You can eat in or if you choose, order to go.
They’re open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.
The most upscale dining option Mountaineer offers is LBV Steak & Pasta, which offers top-of-the-line service and cuisine along with world-class alcoholic beverage options. Their motto is “The Good Life,” so you know you’re up for a terrific night out here. Just be sure to dress at least casually, as there is a code.
The hours of operation are from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday through Sunday.
Looking for something formal yet relaxed? Then Gatsby Restaurant & Buffet is your best option.
Especially if you’re looking for homemade-style comfort foods. Gatsby is open 7 days a week from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with breakfast served from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Do you want a background perhaps to bet on sports and watch a game or to enjoy some pub-style classics? Well, the Mahogany Sports Bar is exactly what you’re looking for. They also serve some of the best local craft beers in the Ohio Valley with favorites on tap.
The bar is open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with the menu options open until 9 p.m.
Hotel Accommodations
For a place located out in the middle of nowhere other than the nearby towns of Weirton, West Virginia, and Steubenville, Ohio, Mountaineer literally has it all. Let’s take a look at the rooming options at the Mountaineer resort hotel.
First off, your lodging options are off the charts here, with rooms like the Tower Suite, Tower King, Tower Queen, or the Lodge King.
If you’re looking for something of grandeur, the 760 square foot Tower Suite is your option, complete with a living room and refrigerators, you’d think you just walked into a high-end apartment.
The Tower King and Tower Queen offer a similar layout to the Tower Suite without the living room. The real difference here is that the Tower Queen offers two beds and 390 square feet whereas the Tower King offers just one and 264 square feet.
The Lodge King and Double Lodge Queen are located in the original section of the hotel and each is just a short walk to the casino. If you’re looking for convenience, these are solid options.
Popular amenities at the resort include the Woodview Golf Course, a Spa located within the hotel, a gift shop, and a fitness center, among others. Shuttle services are also provided as well as free and convenient parking.
Entertainment
Mountaineer isn’t just a racetrack and casino; it’s also the one-stop-shop for entertainment in the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia and perhaps the surrounding area.
If you’re looking for the biggest and best entertainment acts at Mountaineer, the Harv has you covered. Year-round, it offers a strong variety of acts, so regardless of what your musical preference is, it has you covered.
Planning your next wedding or convention? Then check out the Ballroom, which offers 13,000 square feet of real estate. You can find entertainment here as well with live tribute bands and similar acts.
Other great options include Lucky’s Lounge, LBV Entertainment, and Mahogany Entertainment. At the time of this writing, events at the latter three are suspended but be sure to check the website regularly as sure enough, entertainment shall return.
Horse Racing
Of course, Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack, and Resort started off as a racetrack and you probably discovered from the title that it continues to hold true to its roots. So, let’s talk about horse racing.
You can also bet on or off-track, so if you’re not up close and in on the action, don’t worry. You can
watch the races on the big screens in the casino while placing your bets in the designated off-track betting areas.
Nearby Attractions
So, if you’re looking to take a day off from casino gaming and are in the area for a few days, what’s there to do?
Well, if you’re a hiker, I have good news for you, as Tomlinson Run State Park is just around the corner as is the Panhandle Trail, with the latter located just off the Harmon Creek exit in nearby Weirton.
Come catch some breathtaking scenery of the Ohio Valley and explore the same region as our nation’s forefathers while of course, getting in some much-needed exercise.
If you’re into traveling, then the city of Pittsburgh is always worth the visit. From the majestic way the city’s historic skyline pops into few while exiting the Fort Pitt Tunnels, you know the Steel City has much to offer where the Ohio, Allegheny, and Monongahela Valleys meet.
From sporting events to historic museums, science centers, cultural sectors, and more, one of America’s fastest-growing and revitalizing cities is just around the corner from Mountaineer.
And don’t forget to check out other local land based casinos such as Rivers (downtown Pittsburgh, located on the North Shore) to the Meadows (Washington County).
Local lore suggests the Ohio Valley and its surrounding area is nothing but a wasteland that evaporated when the steel industry left. Don’t believe it for a second. Instead, the closing doors of the local steel mills opened the doors to a new, more prosperous era.
And the attractions surrounding Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack, and Resort prove that point tenfold.
Conclusion
Yeah, it’s far out given the fact a tiny town like New Cumberland boasts such a hot location like Mountaineer. But hey, Everytown, USA has its crown jewel, and New Cumberland’s is the Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack, and Resort.
So, if you’re traveling by either to Pittsburgh, north to Cleveland, or west toward Columbus, be sure to make a stop at Mountaineer if you’re looking for a good time to hold you over until the next leg of your trip.
And if you’re local, come make the trip to the tip of West Virginia’s northern panhandle. Mountaineer is definitely rocking and you can make the bet that its best days, and the Upper Ohio Valley’s best days, are ahead.
Have you been to Mountaineer or explored some of the local attractions? If so, how did you like the area? Let us know in the comments.
| Location | New Cumberland, West Virginia |
|---|---|
| Owned by | Vici Properties |
| Operated by | Century Casinos |
| Date opened | May 19, 1951 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred |
| Notable races | West Virginia Derby |
| Official website | |
Waterford Park | |
| Location | WV 2, |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 40°34′49″N80°39′42″W / 40.58028°N 80.66167°WCoordinates: 40°34′49″N80°39′42″W / 40.58028°N 80.66167°W |
| Area | 77 acres (31 ha) |
| Built | 1949 |
| Architect | Boyle, A.J. |
| Architectural style | Moderne |
| NRHP reference No. | 02001528[1] |
| Added to NRHP | December 12, 2002 |
Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort is a thoroughbred racetrack and casino resort located on the Ohio River north of New Cumberland, West Virginia. It is owned by Vici Properties and operated by Century Casinos. It is notable for being the first race track in the United States to get slot machines and become a racino.
History and information[edit]
Originally to be known as Waterford Downs, the track's parent company was incorporated in 1937.[2] The effort was led by Al Boyle, president of the Charles Town Races, who named it after his family's ancestral home of Waterford, Ireland.[3] The company's initial public offering was approved in February 1939, with the track expected to open the following September.[4] By August 1940, construction had not begun, but 250 acres of land had been bought or optioned.[5] In 1942, Boyle planned to begin construction of the track, but expected the grandstand to be delayed at least until 1943 by a steel shortage due to World War II.[6]
Construction was finally underway by July 1948, with opening scheduled for September 1949.[7] The name was changed to Waterford Park in 1950.[8] Opening day was finally held on May 19, 1951.[9][10]
In the mid-1950s, Boyle sold the track to James F. Edwards.[11] The Ogden Corporation acquired Edwards's holdings, including Waterford Park, in 1969.[12]
The track was purchased by Bill Blair and renamed as Mountaineer Park in 1987.[13] In 1992, Blair sold the track to California-based Excalibur Holding Co. for $4 million cash plus $2.7 million in stock.[14] The track was authorized to have slot machines and installed them in 1994. Excalibur was renamed Winners Entertainment, then renamed MTR Gaming Group.[15]
Mountaineer added casino table games on December 20, 2007, with 50 tables, including blackjack, three card poker, and roulette.
In 2019, Eldorado Resorts (which had merged with MTR Gaming in 2014) sold Mountaineer, along with two other properties, to Century Casinos and Vici Properties.[16] Century bought Mountaineer's operating business for $30 million, [17] while Vici bought the land and buildings for $97 million and leased them to Century.[18]
Physical attributes[edit]
Mountaineer Casino Promotions
The track has a main dirt track with a one-mile oval. The turf course is seven furlongs long and inside the dirt. The track is curved slightly in the front stretch. The track also has a large casino and resort on site.
The casino has 3,200 slot machines.
Racing[edit]
Mountaineer was one of the busiest Thoroughbred courses in the country with as many as 217 racing dates scheduled in year 2012. The Mountaineer live racing season had consisted of 4 to 5 nights per week, starting as early as March and ending as late as December. This had been reduced to 130 racing dates, running May through November by 2019 [19] The track had been able to offer purses much higher than those in neighboring states and attracted larger field and the products of such a higher parimutuel handle and better attendance. Over the past decade, competition from surrounding states increased, and purses have reduced. Mountaineer hosts the West Virginia Derby, a Grade III race that had significantly grown in stature and purse in the late 2000’s and early 2010’s to a Grade II race, but has also had its purse reduced and reverted to a Grade III race in recent years. The first Saturday in August traditionally has been the day the Derby takes place, and is the only day of the calendar that the track offers afternoon racing. Otherwise, the races are run at 7pm. Mountaineer had previously been considered as a possible host for the 2009 Breeders' Cup, but it was awarded to Santa Anita.[20]
The track runs many stakes and overnight handicaps. Here, in order, are the stakes that ran at Mountaineer in 2005:
Graded events[edit]
Mountaineer Casino
The following Graded events were held at Mountaineer Racetrack in 2019.
Grade III
Stakes events[edit]
- Coca-Cola Independence Day Stakes
- Mountain State Stakes
- Harvey Arneault Memorial Breeders' Cup Stakes
- West Virginia Senate President's Breeders' Cup
- West Virginia House of Delegates Speaker's Cup
- West Virginia Legislature Chairman's Cup
- West Virginia Secretary of State
- Mountaineer Juvenile Stakes
- Mountaineer Juvenile Fillies Stakes
- Fall Stakes
- Autumn Leaves Stakes
- Mountaineer Mile Handicap
- Sophomore Sprint Championship Stakes
See also[edit]
References[edit]
Mountaineer Casino Phone Number
- ^'National Register Information System'. National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- ^'New race track given state O.K.'. Washington Post. October 10, 1937. ProQuest150879574. – via ProQuest (subscription required)
- ^Bill Bennings (December 4, 1938). 'At the Post'. Washington Post. – via ProQuest (subscription required)
- ^'New West Va. track sanctioned by SEC'. Washington Post. February 17, 1939. – via ProQuest (subscription required)
- ^'$500,000 race track work is set to begin this month'. Youngstown Vindicator. August 4, 1940.
- ^'Tract bought for race plant'. Youngstown Vindicator. January 2, 1942.
- ^Walter Haight (July 26, 1948). 'Night flat racing not new in Md'. Washington Post. – via ProQuest (subscription required)
- ^'Potpourri'. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. March 28, 1950.
- ^'Bill Bennings'. Washington Post. May 18, 1951. – via ProQuest (subscription required)
- ^'Tamale first at new track'. New York Times. May 20, 1951. – via ProQuest (subscription required)
- ^Tony Pierro (June 2, 1997). 'Mountaineer Race Track a runaway success'. State Journal. Charleston, WV. – via Factiva (subscription required)
- ^'Owner Of Waterford selling out'. Beaver County Times. January 17, 1969.
- ^Stephen Babich (June 30, 1987). 'New name, new bets at track'. Pittsburgh Press.
- ^'Sale of Mountaineer Park will stand'. Williamson Daily News. AP. December 1, 1992.
- ^MTR Gaming Group Company Profile
- ^Bailey Schulz (December 6, 2019). 'Eldorado Resorts closes 3 property sales for $385M'. Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2019-12-08.
- ^'Equity Purchase Agreement'. Century Casinos. June 17, 2019. Schedule I – via EDGAR.
- ^'Real Estate Purchase Agreement'. Vici Properties. June 17, 2019. p. 5 – via EDGAR.
- ^https://www.playwv.com/wv-2019-horse-racing/
- ^'09 Breeders' Cup to be held at Santa Anita