Scioto Downs Racino in Columbus, also known as Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs, combines more than 2,100 slot-style games with horse racing, a retail Caesars Sportsbook, and casual dining on the city’s south side. Its strongest draw is that combination: machines, a meal, and racing or sports in one outing. The main limitation is that this is a racino with nearby lodging, not a self-contained hotel resort. I think it makes the most sense for machine players, racing fans, and sports bettors planning a focused night out.
Scioto Downs at a glance
| Address | 6000 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43207 |
|---|---|
| Property type | Racino with video lottery terminals and horse racing |
| Minimum casino gambling age | 21 |
| Gaming floor | 90,000 square feet, according to Caesars |
| Slot-style games | More than 2,100 VLT games, according to Caesars; inventory can change |
| Poker room | No |
| Retail sportsbook | Yes, Caesars Sportsbook |
| Horse wagering | Seasonal live racing and year-round simulcasting |
| Nearby hotel | Hampton Inn & Suites, described by Caesars as steps away |
| Dining | The Brew Brothers and Dash Café |
| Phone | 614-295-4700 |
| Information date | October 15, 2026 |
What kind of casino is Scioto Downs?
The racetrack opened in 1959, and video lottery terminals arrived in June 2012. That background still shapes the property: on a live racing date, the track gives the outing a second attraction with its own schedule and pace.
I would judge Scioto Downs on how its different pieces fit your evening, rather than compare it amenity for amenity with a destination resort. Machine gaming, racing, sports viewing, and a brewpub make a useful combination. They do not necessarily give a non-gambler enough to fill a long vacation.
Casino games: slots, VLTs, and keno
Caesars lists more than 2,100 VLT games across a 90,000-square-foot gaming floor. These are operator-published figures, and the selection can change, but machines are clearly the main event.
VLT stands for video lottery terminal. Visitors commonly call these slots. The property’s fact sheet describes options from penny denominations through high-limit play, along with keno games.
My advice is to look at the total bet, not just the denomination. A penny machine can ask for considerably more than a penny per spin once credits and other selections enter the picture. Set the wager deliberately before getting comfortable with the spin button.
If a particular video poker title or pay table is essential to your visit, ask about the current selection first. A large machine inventory does not guarantee your preferred game, and guest reports of wins or losses do not establish payout percentages.
Table games and poker room
Scioto Downs is not a live table-game casino. If your evening depends on dealer-operated blackjack, craps, or roulette, I would choose a full-service casino instead. Our Ohio casino guide is a useful starting point for comparing alternatives.
The casino has no dedicated player-versus-player poker room. Poker-themed machines are not a substitute for cash games or tournaments against other players.
Caesars Sportsbook at Scioto Downs
Scioto Downs has an on-property retail Caesars Sportsbook. It is a physical betting venue, not simply a mobile app.
Caesars places the sportsbook between The Brew Brothers and the gaming floor. Its property information describes 18 screens, self-service betting kiosks, and staffed betting windows. That location makes dinner and a game a sensible alternative to spending the entire visit at the machines.
Check sportsbook hours before planning around a particular game, especially if you want help at a staffed window. Screen availability, kiosk access, and counter service are different things. Settle identification or account questions before kickoff rather than during the opening drive.
Horse racing: live races versus simulcasting
Live harness racing is Scioto Downs’ most distinctive attraction. Horses trot or pace while pulling drivers in lightweight sulkies, rather than carrying jockeys as in Thoroughbred racing.
Live racing is seasonal; simulcast wagering is available year-round. Watching races from another track on a screen is not the same outing as watching horses come down the stretch in front of you. Choose a live racing date first if the track is your main reason to visit.
Caesars describes stadium seating and private viewing rooms with balconies. Do not assume those arrangements have identical access or reservation rules. Ask ahead if a particular viewing setup matters.
For a first racing visit, leave time to read the program and understand your ticket. I would start with a straightforward wager rather than a complicated ticket whose cost is harder to follow. Keeping the racing bankroll separate from the machine bankroll also makes the evening’s spending clearer.
Which kind of visit makes sense?
The useful comparison is how much planning each outing requires and what you gain from it.
Gamboool original analysis
We assembled the comparison below from published information. These are selected examples, rather than measured gambling sessions or a representative survey.
| Detail | Published information |
|---|---|
| Scioto Downs gaming: Published machine selection and floor size | Caesars describes more than 2,100 games across 90,000 square feet; these are operator-published figures rather than an independently counted inventory. |
| Scioto Downs sportsbook: On-property sports-viewing amenity | Caesars explicitly lists an on-property Caesars Sportsbook with 18 screens, giving sports fans an additional attraction beyond machine gaming and racing. |
| Scioto Downs sportsbook: Location within the property | The operator’s fact sheet places the sportsbook between The Brew Brothers and the gaming floor, making it relevant when planning a combined meal and sports-viewing visit. The document also contains a 2023 racing schedule, so it should not establish current operating hours. |
| Scioto Downs racing: Live racing versus simulcast availability | The operator distinguishes a 90-day live racing offering from year-round simulcast wagering. Visitors seeking horses on the actual track need the live racing calendar rather than simply the casino’s opening hours. |
| Scioto Downs grandstand: General seating versus private viewing facilities | Caesars lists more than 750 stadium seats alongside two VIP rooms with private balconies. These are different viewing arrangements; the passage does not establish admission prices, reservation requirements, or complimentary access. |
| Scioto Downs overnight stays: Hotel proximity | Caesars describes The Hampton Inn as steps away, supporting an adjacent-hotel description without implying that rooms occupy a casino hotel tower. |
| Hampton Inn & Suites near Scioto Downs: Hotel amenities versus casino amenities | The operator’s fact sheet attributes an indoor pool and private gym to the Hampton Inn & Suites. These should be presented as hotel facilities, not as amenities automatically available to casino day visitors. |
| Scioto Downs dining: Brewpub versus quick-bite option | The operator positions The Brew Brothers around beer brewed on-site and Dash Café as the quick-bite alternative, offering a practical distinction for visitors choosing between a meal stop and a shorter break. |
| Dash Café: Published food selection | The fact sheet lists burgers, salads, snacks, desserts, and beverages, supporting its role as a casual food option. It supplies no menu prices or service hours. |
| Scioto Downs bars and entertainment: Gaming-floor bars versus lounge seating | Caesars distinguishes six gaming-floor bars from the lounge seating and live-entertainment stage at Veil Bar. Visitors seeking a seated break have a specifically identified option, although event dates require a separate schedule. |
Research references: newsroom.caesars.com, s202.q4cdn.com.
Method: Published information collected 2026-10-15. The source observations remain in the saved research record. These examples support planning; they do not predict a particular session.
- A short machine-gaming stop: The simplest option. Dash Café offers a quick food break, and there is no need to coordinate with live racing.
- Dinner and a televised game: The Brew Brothers and the sportsbook make a logical pairing. Check their schedules separately, and allow time for the meal before the game.
- A live racing evening: This offers the clearest change of pace from the gaming floor. Pick the race date first, then organize dinner around it.
- An overnight stay: The nearby Hampton Inn & Suites adds convenience after an evening out. Compare the complete hotel bill and reservation terms rather than assuming proximity makes it the cheapest option.
My preference would be to build the trip around whichever scheduled attraction matters most, then fit machine play around it. The machines are the flexible part of that plan.
Hotel: nearby rooms, not a casino tower
Caesars describes the Hampton Inn & Suites as steps away from Scioto Downs. It is a practical overnight option, but it should not be confused with rooms inside a casino hotel tower.
The property fact sheet attributes an indoor pool and gym to the hotel. Those are hotel facilities, not amenities automatically available to casino day visitors.
The strongest reason to stay nearby is convenience after racing, dinner, or a long evening of play. Before reserving, check the hotel’s total price, cancellation policy, check-in arrangements, and offer conditions. Do not assume a casino promotion includes lodging unless its terms say so.
Restaurants, bars, and entertainment
The Brew Brothers
The Brew Brothers is the sit-down choice for pub food and beer brewed on-site. I see it as the natural meal stop when dinner is part of the evening, rather than something to squeeze between other plans. Leave time before any race or sporting event you do not want to miss.
Dash Café
Dash Café is the quick-bite alternative, with burgers, salads, snacks, desserts, and beverages. It makes more sense when you want a shorter food break than a full sit-down meal.
Veil Bar
Veil Bar has lounge seating and a stage for live entertainment. Check the current calendar if music is part of your reason for visiting.
Treat restaurant, bar, sportsbook, and entertainment schedules separately. Casino access does not mean every venue will be serving when you arrive.
Directions, practical details, and budgeting
Scioto Downs is at 6000 S. High St. on Columbus’s south side. Use that address for your route, and plan return transportation as carefully as the trip there, particularly if drinks are part of the evening.
The minimum age for casino gaming is 21. Bring valid government-issued photo identification. If smoking exposure, accessible routes, parking arrangements, or a particular service will determine whether the trip works for you, call 614-295-4700 before setting out.
Budget for the whole outing: gambling, food, drinks, transportation, and lodging if needed. Check current charges rather than assuming parking, special seating, or event access is complimentary.
For player offers, ask how earning and redemption work at this property, and read the expiration and eligibility terms. A useful promotion can improve a visit you already wanted to make. It is a poor reason to spend beyond your original limit.
Our take: who should visit?
Scioto Downs suits machine players, racing fans, and sports bettors who want casual dining and several ways to spend an evening in one place. I like the combination of a brewpub, retail sportsbook, seasonal track, and nearby lodging for a planned night out. Choose another base if you want a self-contained hotel resort or a wider range of non-gambling activities. Here, the best trip is a focused one, with the racing calendar and venue hours checked before you go.
Frequently asked questions
Does Scioto Downs have a sportsbook?
Yes. The retail Caesars Sportsbook is between The Brew Brothers and the gaming floor, with betting kiosks and staffed windows.
Does Scioto Downs have a poker room?
No. Scioto Downs has no dedicated player-versus-player poker room.
Is there a hotel at Scioto Downs?
The Hampton Inn & Suites is nearby, described by Caesars as steps away. Its rooms, pool, and gym are hotel facilities, not casino day-visitor amenities.
Is live racing available all year?
No. Live racing is seasonal. Year-round simulcast wagering is a separate offering, so check the live racing calendar if you want to see horses on the track.
Is Scioto Downs worth visiting without playing machines?
It can be, particularly for live racing, a game at the sportsbook, a brewpub meal, or scheduled entertainment. I would choose a specific activity rather than expect a full day of resort-style attractions.
Sources
- Ohio Lottery: VLT locations and revenue reports, including the property’s address and telephone number.
- Caesars: Eldorado Scioto Downs property information, covering gaming, the sportsbook, racing, dining, entertainment, and nearby lodging.
Poker room and sportsbook
There is no dedicated poker room.