Presque Isle Downs & Casino
Presque Isle Downs & Casino is a casino and horse racing track near Erie, Pennsylvania, owned and operated by Churchill Downs Inc.
| Presque Isle Downs & Casino | |
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  Presque Isle Downs in Pennsylvania  Presque Isle Downs & Casino (the United States) | |
| Location | Summit Township, Pennsylvania |
| Address | 8199 Perry Highway |
| Opening date | February 28, 2007 |
| Total gaming space | 48,074 sq ft (4,466.2 m2) |
| Signature attractions | Thoroughbred racetrack |
| Notable restaurants | LBV Steakhouse Churchill's Bourbon & Brew Bar & Grille Backstretch Buffet The INCafe The HUB Bar 90 Trackside Bar |
| Casino type | Racino |
| Owner | Churchill Downs Inc. |
| Coordinates | 42.069°N 80.030°W |
| Website | presqueisledowns |
History
The developer, MTR Gaming Group, broke ground in October 2005 for the new facility, which opened on February 28, 2007.
Simulcasting was transferred from its former upper Peach Street location and became operational in August 2007.[1]
In January 2019, Eldorado Resorts (the successor of MTR Gaming) sold the property to Churchill Downs Inc. for $178.9 million.[2]
Description
The casino contains 1,500 slot machines. The 1 mile (1.6 km) oval track opened on September 2, 2007. The racing surface is the synthetic material Tapeta Footings (a mixture of sand, rubber, fiber with a wax coating[3]). It was the first synthetic horse racetrack longer than 1 mile (1.6 km) in the Northeast and the first racetrack paved with Tapeta in the United States.[3]
Gaming revenue is split between the operator (45%) and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (55%), the latter of which will use the funds for property tax relief, economic development and tourism, and the horse racing industry.[1] Revenue from table games goes to the state's general fund and the local government. Presque Isle Downs & Casino now operates table games, along with 1,600 slot machines.
On February 6, 2019, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board approved a sports betting license for Presque Isle Downs & Casino. The casino will construct a sportsbook and will also offer 50 self-betting kiosks.[4] The BetAmerica self-betting kiosks began operation on August 9, 2019.[5] On December 16, 2019, a three-day soft launch began for the BetAmerica online sportsbook.[6] The full launch of the BetAmerica online sportsbook occurred on December 19, 2019.[7]
The property is located on 272 acres (110 ha) off Exit 27 on Interstate 90 in Summit Township.
Graded events
The following Graded events were held at Presque Isle Downs in 2019.
Grade II
- Other Stakes
- Presque Isle Mile
- Tom Ridge Stakes
- Satin and Lace Stakes
- Karl Boyes Memorial Stakes
- The HPBA Stakes
- Fitz Dixon, JR. Memorial Juvenile Stakes
See also
References
- Guerriero, John (July 7, 2007). "Numbers Down a Bit, But Hopes Still High". Erie Times-News. pp. 1A, 7A.
- "Churchill Downs completes purchase of Presque Isle Downs & Casino". Erie Times-News. January 12, 2019. Retrieved 2019-01-12.
- Guerriero, John (2007-09-01). "And...They're off". Erie Times-News. Retrieved 2007-09-03.
- Rink, Matthew (February 6, 2019). "Sports betting approved for Erie casino". GoErie.com. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
- Abbas, Syeda (August 9, 2019). "Presque Isle Downs and Casino now offering sports betting". YourErie.com. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
- Kohler, Katie (December 16, 2019). "BetAmerica Sportsbook Sneaks In A Soft Launch Before 2019 Wraps Up". Play Pennsylvania. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
- "BetAmerica Sportsbook Makes Online Debut in Pennsylvania". Globe Newswire. December 19, 2019. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
- Blood Horse: 2011 Graded Stakes: 13 Fewer Than '10