We often don’t think of West Virginia as a mini Las Vegas but little do many of us know at its northern tip in the town of New Cumberland lies the famous Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack, and Resort. And yes, the casino is often buzzing day and night, making it the ultimate destination if you’re passing through.
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So, where is this somewhat secluded casino? Right on the Ohio-West Virginia border and about 40 miles northwest of good old Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. So, if you’re traveling through the Upper Ohio Valley and casino gaming is your thing, be sure to check out West Virginia gambling at Mountaineer.
You’ll be glad you did.
Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort, New Cumberland, WV. 43,591 likes 887 talking about this 107,729 were here. Offering West Virginia slots, the Mountaineer Casino is the premiere resort. 45 reviews of Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort 'My husband and I had a great time gambling here. He travels across the US for work, so we visit many casinos. I was worried due to the poor reviews, but was pleasantly surprised. Yes, a couple of the areas are smoky especially upstairs. We won and lost as much money as usual (we don't play cards).
History of Mountaineer Casino
The property has contributed its own part of US gambling history. Planning for a racetrack up in Chester can be traced all the way back to 1937 and was to be called Waterford Downs. While the public offering was approved in 1939, but because of several unfortunate events (including World War II), it was delayed until 1948.
Opening day for the racetrack known as Waterford Park wouldn’t occur until 1951.
James F. Edwards bought the track in the mid-1950s and in 1969, Ogden Corporation bought Edwards’ holdings.
In 2019, the casino was sold to Century Casinos and Vici Properties, with Century taking the operating business and Vici taking the land and buildings while entering a leasing agreement with Century.
Now that you know a little background on the casino, let’s look at what this jewel in New Cumberland has to offer.
Casino Games Offered
Mountaineer Casino offers approximately 1,000 slot machines among 78,000 square feet of gaming space. The casino also offers smoking and non-smoking sections, so you don’t have to worry about giving up your seat if you are a smoker.
The casino also offers high-stakes slot areas that feature bets of $10, $25, and up to $100.
Mountaineer also offers the standard table games like Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Let it Ride, Three Card Poker, Four Card Poker, the works. You name it, Mountaineer is sure to have it. Also offered is Texas Holdem for real money, so if you’re into some live poker action, Mountaineer will provide.
And like many casinos these days, Mountaineer also operates the William Hill Sportsbook where you can bet on your favorite sporting events. Bets offered include futures, parlays, straight bets, round robins, teasers, etc.
The most popular sports featured include football, baseball, basketball, hockey, MMA, NASCAR, and more. The sportsbook’s hours of operation are Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m., and from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Dining Options
Within the casino’s walls are three outstanding restaurants and one sports bar. So whether you’re in the mood for fine dining or if you’re just looking to chill and watch the latest sporting event, Mountaineer Casino’s dining options have you covered.
If you’re looking for something more laid back and quick, then try Big Al’s, located right near the gaming floor. Big Al’s offers deli-style sandwiches and whole pies of pizza plus homemade ice cream and fresh-baked dessert. You can eat in or if you choose, order to go.
They’re open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.
The most upscale dining option Mountaineer offers is LBV Steak & Pasta, which offers top-of-the-line service and cuisine along with world-class alcoholic beverage options. Their motto is “The Good Life,” so you know you’re up for a terrific night out here. Just be sure to dress at least casually, as there is a code.
The hours of operation are from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday through Sunday.
Looking for something formal yet relaxed? Then Gatsby Restaurant & Buffet is your best option.
Especially if you’re looking for homemade-style comfort foods. Gatsby is open 7 days a week from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with breakfast served from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Do you want a background perhaps to bet on sports and watch a game or to enjoy some pub-style classics? Well, the Mahogany Sports Bar is exactly what you’re looking for. They also serve some of the best local craft beers in the Ohio Valley with favorites on tap.
The bar is open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with the menu options open until 9 p.m.
Hotel Accommodations
For a place located out in the middle of nowhere other than the nearby towns of Weirton, West Virginia, and Steubenville, Ohio, Mountaineer literally has it all. Let’s take a look at the rooming options at the Mountaineer resort hotel.
First off, your lodging options are off the charts here, with rooms like the Tower Suite, Tower King, Tower Queen, or the Lodge King.
If you’re looking for something of grandeur, the 760 square foot Tower Suite is your option, complete with a living room and refrigerators, you’d think you just walked into a high-end apartment.
The Tower King and Tower Queen offer a similar layout to the Tower Suite without the living room. The real difference here is that the Tower Queen offers two beds and 390 square feet whereas the Tower King offers just one and 264 square feet.
The Lodge King and Double Lodge Queen are located in the original section of the hotel and each is just a short walk to the casino. If you’re looking for convenience, these are solid options.
Popular amenities at the resort include the Woodview Golf Course, a Spa located within the hotel, a gift shop, and a fitness center, among others. Shuttle services are also provided as well as free and convenient parking.
Entertainment
Mountaineer isn’t just a racetrack and casino; it’s also the one-stop-shop for entertainment in the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia and perhaps the surrounding area.
If you’re looking for the biggest and best entertainment acts at Mountaineer, the Harv has you covered. Year-round, it offers a strong variety of acts, so regardless of what your musical preference is, it has you covered.
Planning your next wedding or convention? Then check out the Ballroom, which offers 13,000 square feet of real estate. You can find entertainment here as well with live tribute bands and similar acts.
Other great options include Lucky’s Lounge, LBV Entertainment, and Mahogany Entertainment. At the time of this writing, events at the latter three are suspended but be sure to check the website regularly as sure enough, entertainment shall return.
Horse Racing
Of course, Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack, and Resort started off as a racetrack and you probably discovered from the title that it continues to hold true to its roots. So, let’s talk about horse racing.
You can also bet on or off-track, so if you’re not up close and in on the action, don’t worry. You can
watch the races on the big screens in the casino while placing your bets in the designated off-track betting areas.
Nearby Attractions
So, if you’re looking to take a day off from casino gaming and are in the area for a few days, what’s there to do?
Well, if you’re a hiker, I have good news for you, as Tomlinson Run State Park is just around the corner as is the Panhandle Trail, with the latter located just off the Harmon Creek exit in nearby Weirton.
Come catch some breathtaking scenery of the Ohio Valley and explore the same region as our nation’s forefathers while of course, getting in some much-needed exercise.
If you’re into traveling, then the city of Pittsburgh is always worth the visit. From the majestic way the city’s historic skyline pops into few while exiting the Fort Pitt Tunnels, you know the Steel City has much to offer where the Ohio, Allegheny, and Monongahela Valleys meet.
From sporting events to historic museums, science centers, cultural sectors, and more, one of America’s fastest-growing and revitalizing cities is just around the corner from Mountaineer.
And don’t forget to check out other local land based casinos such as Rivers (downtown Pittsburgh, located on the North Shore) to the Meadows (Washington County).
Local lore suggests the Ohio Valley and its surrounding area is nothing but a wasteland that evaporated when the steel industry left. Don’t believe it for a second. Instead, the closing doors of the local steel mills opened the doors to a new, more prosperous era.
And the attractions surrounding Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack, and Resort prove that point tenfold.
Conclusion
Yeah, it’s far out given the fact a tiny town like New Cumberland boasts such a hot location like Mountaineer. But hey, Everytown, USA has its crown jewel, and New Cumberland’s is the Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack, and Resort.
So, if you’re traveling by either to Pittsburgh, north to Cleveland, or west toward Columbus, be sure to make a stop at Mountaineer if you’re looking for a good time to hold you over until the next leg of your trip.
And if you’re local, come make the trip to the tip of West Virginia’s northern panhandle. Mountaineer is definitely rocking and you can make the bet that its best days, and the Upper Ohio Valley’s best days, are ahead.
Have you been to Mountaineer or explored some of the local attractions? If so, how did you like the area? Let us know in the comments.
The Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack, and Resort has been sold. That was the news that came out of the WV Lottery Commission meeting on Wednesday.
The commission voted unanimously to approve the sale of Mountaineer, according to WV Metro News. Previous owner, Eldorado Resorts, is selling the Mountaineer to Century Casinos as part of a $107 million deal.
The deal brings a new player to the WV casino market, which features five casinos around the state. Century specializes in medium-sized properties and the Mountaineer fits in that regard.
WV Lottery director John Myerscommented on the sale and the new owners.
“I think that’s been the way they’ve been able to grow their company. They don’t try to take on too big of a property, they take on the size they are used to managing and they can apply the same principles across all those properties.”
A quick look at the Century-Eldorado deal
The sale comes after months of rumors that Mountaineer was going to be sold in order to make a merger between Eldorado and Caesars Entertainment more attractive to regulators. In recent months, both companies have shed properties as they finalize the $7.2 billion deal.
Century has also purchased two Eldorado casino properties in Missouri as part of the acquisition. Caesars also announced earlier this week that it was selling the Rio in Las Vegas, home to the World Series of Poker.
The Mountaineer sale is expected to close in early 2020. Century inherits a horse track and 357-room hotel. The property’s casino also includes 1,486 slot machines, a poker room, and 36 tables games.
Century CEOs Erwin Haitzmann and Peter Hoetzinger also spoke about the sale in a news release.
“We are very excited to be expanding into West Virginia. Mountaineer is a great addition to our portfolio and will be our third racetrack and casino property. We look forward to working with the staff and community to continue the current success at Mountaineer into the future.”
Sports betting launched the state in 2018 and Mountaineer also hosts a popular retail sportsbook operated by William Hill. However, the property doesn’t yet offer a William Hill branded mobile sports betting app. through its betting partner.
That could change, however, and the deal offers Century an opportunity to get in the mobile sports betting business. William Hill is one of a handful of mobile betting operators who have have been approved to offer online sports betting in West Virginia.
The company believes Mountaineer fits well with its track and casino assets.
What is Century Casinos and what are its plans?
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Century Casinos is based in Colorado and was founded in 1992. The company has plenty of experience in the industry.
It operates several casinos in Colorado and Alberta, Canada, where it also owns two racetracks.The company also owns one casino in the UK, has a majority interest in a casino in Poland, and also manages casinos on several cruise ships.
Most Mountaineer employees are expected to be retained after the deal finalizes.
Century officials have indicated they may have expansion plans for the WV casino. The company also hopes to be more competitive with properties in neighboring states.
That includes casinos in the Pittsburgh area to the east and Ohio casinos to the north and west. The Wheeling Island casino and racetrack is also only about 40 miles to the south.
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Haitzmann spoke of the property’s potential for growth.
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“Mountaineer used to be larger and with all the real estate available we see an upside and the possibility to grow further. Mountaineer is profitable now, you may say, in spite of the competition. I think it’s a healthy competition for the customers and think we’re well-equipped to get our fair share of the market.”