Amanda Tuttle

Review of Scioto Downs Racino

I don't like to gamble - I have a Max allowance of...

I don't like to gamble - I have a Max allowance of $20 whenever I go to a casino - but this place was pretty well thought-out and had something even for us abstainers: Greyhound races during the warmer months, a gift shop with very friendly staff, and a cozy little raised bar right in the middle of the casino floor that offers a long cushy upholstered bench, pouffes, cozy armchairs, mood lighting, and a live band.

The highlight for us non-gamblers/raging-foodies is a terrific buffet with all-you-can-eat crab legs on Friday and prime rib on Saturday, and the crab legs were hot, fresh, and delicious, as was the majority of the other buffet offerings. Beware that the $25 price on the sign or in ads is for Members ONLY; non-members pay an additional charge of $2, and the whole bill is topped off with tax, making the buffet in reality $29.01 per person. A little steep, but it took the edge off my party's guilt at eating half of the State of Alaska's coldwater treasures. We definitely got our money's worth.

The casino itself needs more variety in games, not just variety in slot machines (even though I have to admit I was very impressed with the designs and thematic attention to detail with some of the machines - look for the Airplane! and Ghostbusters ones!). I'm not sure if this is because their license or the laws are restrictive, but it would be nice to see some video poker at least. Like I said, I'm not a gambler, but I could be coaxed into staying longer and having another drink or two if I felt the game I was playing contained an element of skill - no matter how small - as well as chance.

The casino takes the sting out of this and at the same time catches newcomers in its sticky web by offering all first-time visitors a chance to spin a virtual "wheel of Fortune" and load your gaming card with anywhere from $5 to $1000.

Worth a visit for the spectacle alone.