New Casino Features Glitz And Glamour Of Hollywood ... And Lots And Lots Of Slots
TOLEDO (WWJ) - The employees are getting their last-minute training and are putting the final touches on the Art Deco decor as Hollywood Casino in Toledo gets ready for its grand opening next week.
When you walk into the Hollywood Casino the theme is evident, reported WWJ's Sandra McNeill who got an early look inside the casino.
Photographs of late movie stars from the well-known to the more obscure decorate the walls. Giant black and whites of old movie stars like Humphrey Bogart compete with posters from modern-day films. And the theme is Hollywood glamour, said slots manager Brian Hopkins.
"The decorations are Art Deco from the 30s and 40s – motif all over," said Hopkins.
The casino steakhouse even has a display of memorabilia once owned by the stars.
As for the gambling, the casino has over 2000 slot machines. "They're all lucky – you just have to be at the right place at the right time," Hopkins said.
Also on tap at the $300 million facility: roulette, craps, poker and blackjack with a special room for the blackjack high rollers.
"They range from penny slot machines all the way up to $100 slot machines," said Hopkins.
Director of table games, Neal Perry, was keeping tabs as the dealers were getting ready.
"This is our mock casino if you will," said Perry. "… We have dealers dealing to dealers and we actually do have a few guests."
While the theme is old Hollywood, Perry says there's also an emphasis on sports. The casino has over 220 TVs, has five restaurants and will have free live bands playing every day of the week. "One thing for sure you'll never be able to miss any sporting event or any highlight ..." Perry said.
The new casino is giving jobs not just to residents from Ohio, but also to those from Michigan.
Detroiter London Johnson, who has worked at the MGM Grand as a coat check attendant, said her new job will be worth the hour-long daily commute.
The casino opens at 2 p.m. on May 29.
