Nik Riehle

Review of Hollywood Casino Toledo

I'd like to think of myself as someone pretty well...

I'd like to think of myself as someone pretty well versed when it comes to visiting different casinos, as I have frequented Las Vegas and have played at all 3 in Detroit, Firekeepers & Soaring Eagle in MI., Horseshoe in Cleveland, JACKS in Cincinnati & several in Indiana, Colorado & even Florida. Hollywood Casino, Toledo would have to be on the bottom of this list which is very unfortunate because it's local.

I'm writing this review as being a fair & honest customer of this business. Not looking to slander anything, just looking to bring truthful issues to their attention in hopes that it can be bettered for everyone.

I'll start with the positives as there are a few: (not enough to prevent a 1 star rating though) the building/casino floor is kept clean, nice big, clean restrooms (hey, I'm being fair & it's true!) & the food all around is pretty decent.

We'll start with all of the fees/prices. Nothing is competitively priced & everything has a fee. $5.00 fee for valet (NOT including tip). Has this prevented me from valeting? Not necessarily, but extremely unnecessary as valet service (minus the tip) is complimentary at almost every other casino I've ever been to. Not to mention, the $5.00 valet fee does not ensure that your vehicle will be brought up quickly by any means as the valet booth is typically understaffed.

Moving on... you need to have some cash to play, so let's stop by one of their many inconveniently located ATMs. It seems like they actually have more ATMs located outside of security/off of the casino floor than on it. So if you did need to use the ATM, chances are you'll either wait in a decent line or have to walk passed security at either exit to use the ATM. Oh yeah, well when you find one, the ATM's will hit you with that $5.00 fee again. So now, you are out about $10.00 & you haven't even played yet.

Fair enough, Let's go get a drink! There is only 1 bar here, so chances are you will have to wait in line again & I hope you kept your cash out because you're going to need it! $4.00 bottle domestic, $5.00 draft in a plastic cup & that's about your entry price for any adult beverage (don't think you're getting hard liquor any cheaper). What bothers me is the plastic draft cup... typically if I'm spending $5.00 for a pint, I'd at least like it in a glass. It's like that old saying "if you're going to do me like that, at least take me to dinner first". And they seem to have all of these excuses like, "what if someone drops a glass, or steals them, or whatever". That's the same concerns every bar/restaurant has and it's called "the cost of business" and Hollywood Casino is saying "yes we're being cheap, because we can" with a wink & a smile.

Well, so far we've spent a minimum of $15.00, haven't gambled yet & have a nice refreshing plastic cup of sometimes cold beer. Let's not even waste time with getting a players card. Hollywood, let's face it... the comps are aweful! The slowest, worst comps I can say I've ever seen! You will need to drop some serious serious coin if you think you are going to get a meal (just for 1) comped in a single outing. Being local, I know this. Next, please don't think you're going to earn Freeplay from your Players Card, you will be disappointed. I get emails from casinos I've been to once or twice in my life and have more Freeplay on my card than at Hollywood. It's actually pretty sad & I'm sure those with Players Cards at other casinos & Hollywood know exactly what I'm talking about.

Don't think that the table games will be any better. Blackjack, while always dead, has tons of rookies playing, no-one plays by the book and the side bets (perfect pair for example) pays 15 to 1 whereas MGM Grand Detroit pays 30 to 1!! Why in the world would you place a side bet on something half the value as another casino? Hollywood is banking on people not knowing this and taking advantage of them. Oh yeah, continuous shuffle machines? Seriously? How rigged do you want to play?