Hollywood Casino

3-stars to begin.  I won't go higher and can't go lower without actually gaming, drinking, eating and finding entertainment.  Wait?  Did I even go to Hollywood Casino Columbus?  Sure did and here's my scoop.

Gambling is not my gig but I have to acknowledge the fact if you can't find your game here... then you don't gamble.  Table games galore, slots, high stakes room(s), electronic table games.  Yeah, it's all available.  And while gambling doesn't get my immediate attention, I can see the allure.

Lights, music, glitter, opulence, and all of the trimmings seem in place.  I found the music a bit loud but the casino on a Thursday evening at 9PM was only 1/25th full.  I'll "wager" the music is eventually drown out by slots ringing and people jawing with each other.

There are ample distractions besides gambling.  A near center-of-the-room stage is placed so guest acts can perform.  Nice touch but, again, I'll bet the volume overwhelms the gambling rooms.  The food standards are in place, too.  A steakhouse for high-end dining, a buffet and an assortment of pop-in locations for drinks and bites to eat.

Parking:  Way over the top.  Valet service at the front door.  A huge amount of free parking surrounding 3/4 of the place (with security driving around checking on cars - nice touch) and a paid-parking garage.

Hollywood Casino seems out of place in Columbus if only because it is on the town's westside.  But no matter where it would have been placed - it would appear out of place, I think.  It's worth a visit and I will return to see if I can figure out why gambling is SO HOT.   Put it all on RED!

I dont gamble, but wanted to see the place and get a bite to eat. Valet parking is available for $5, and there is a pay garage as well. Lot parking is free, but be prepared to walk a bit.

I was happy to see they have a strict dress code. No gang colors, floppy pants, offensive language/images and sleeveless shirts.

The place is clean yet outrageous and opulent. Crap tables galore, hundreds of slot machines, roulette tables,  and a separate section with dozens and dozens of poker tables,and this place is loud, and loud everywhere.

Free soft drink stations are located throughout, and there are at least two bars on the floor.

They also have a wing of large convention rooms, and hold concerts as well. Paid ones in the back, and free ones on a medium stage in the sports bar.

Big screen splash TVs everywhere, flashing and spinning lights, gaudy wall dressing...comes across as almost cheesy to me. Somewhat depressive too...watching poor people pouring money into slot machines. I saw one older guy in a wheelchair wearing oxygen working 3 machines at once.

Anyway, the main restaurant is only open for dinner, which leaves you 2 options for lunch...the buffet, or their sports bar "OH". We opted for the buffet. It was good...you could get carved steak, chicken, and turkey and all the sides. They had a Sushi section (nope, didnt eat any...never at a buffet), and Chinese, pizza, and burger stations. There was a HUGE salad bar, and a huge stand alone dessert bar as well.

Some things just dont "buffet" well...like egg rolls and chicken wings, and theirs were no exception. The Balsamic chicken I tried was so dry, I couldnt eat it, however, they had some lightly breaded butterfly shrimp that were really good.

For a buffet, not bad, and while I know its a casino, I wish they had a nicer "sit down" restaurant available for lunch.

We might go back for dinner sometime.

I've never been a big casino fan, but I think they've done a pretty nice job here.  Everything is clean and bright, which naturally goes along with it being new (we'll see if that lasts).  It's nice that there is a concert stage in the middle of the floor so you can see/hear the musical act for free while you gamble.  I wish there were more table games, and that they had lower than $25 minimums, but perhaps in time.  There are plenty of slots...I think too many.  However, many people in this area are new to casinos, and maybe having slots is a safe way to get new people to gamble.  Free fountain soda machines around the exterior is nice, and beer prices aren't bad.  I'll never be a regular, but I was pleasantly surprised.