Belterra Park opens to a full house

Описание: ANDERSON TOWNSHIP, Ohio (Angenette Levy) -- Last March it was Horseshoe, then in December it was Miami Valley Gaming.

Now, the tri-state opens another gambling facility. This one is in a pretty familiar place, Anderson Township.

It's official! Belterra Park is open for business and it has a full house. It's something that people have looked forward to for years. Belterra Park's first customers came out ready to play and hoping to win big.

Marlene Momich likes what she sees at the new racino. She's been gambling in Anderson Township for nearly half a century.

She tells Local 12's Angenette Levy, "I think it's great. I love it. I've come up here 48 years. When it was River Downs and now I'm back. It's beautiful."

Pinnacle Entertainment spent 300 million dollars transforming the old River Downs into a new race track with a casino and several restaurants. But if you look around you'll see pieces of River Downs.

Anthony Sanfilippo, CEO of Pinnacle Entertainment, said, "We have memorabilia from River Downs. It's very important for us at Pinnacle Entertainment that we honor the heritage of River Downs."

It was hard and reporter Angenette Levy to find an open machine on opening night.

VIP guest, Andrea Osterfeld tells Local 12, "We came earlier and we tried Market Buffet. Good food, good atmosphere and a lot of fun and addicting slot machines, too."

While a lot of money is flowing inside the racino, Anderson Township officials hope Belterra Park will spur development along Kellogg Avenue.

Russ Jackson, an Anderson Twp. Trustee, said, "There's a lot of synergism with other restaurants. They'll be some retail here on the north side and the rest of it I expect to be empty nester residential."

Inside Belterra Park Maureen Momich and others say they'll be back to play the slots and bet on the ponies.

Momich said, "I love them both. True gambler!"

Speaking of placing bets, you can bet on the Kentucky Derby at Belterra Park. The race will be simulcast on Saturday. Live racing at the new racino starts a week from Saturday.

Belterra Park will be open 24/7. To learn more about CLICK HERE.



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