So you're looking for a Hollywood Casino nearby. The brand is one of the most recognizable names in the US gambling scene, but here's the thing - your experience is going to look completely different depending on which state you're standing in. You might be hunting for a full-blown resort with a hotel and steakhouse, or you might just want to know why you can't download the app in your state yet. Let's cut through the noise.
Hollywood Casino isn't a one-size-fits-all operation. Penn Entertainment (formerly Penn National Gaming) operates under this brand in multiple states, but the physical properties vary wildly. In Ohio, Illinois, and Pennsylvania, you're dealing with full-service casinos. In other jurisdictions, the 'Hollywood' name might only exist online.
If you're in the Midwest, you've got solid options. Hollywood Casino Columbus is a massive 160,000-square-foot gaming floor just west of downtown. No hotel attached, but the gaming selection is top-tier. Then there's Hollywood Casino Toledo, sitting right on the Maumee River - again, no hotel, but a surprisingly polished venue for a regional property. Over in Joliet, Illinois, Hollywood Casino Joliet recently moved into a brand-new land-based facility, ditching the old riverboat setup for something far more comfortable.
For players on the East Coast, Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course in Grantville, Pennsylvania is the flagship. This is where the online brand was born, and it's one of the few properties that combines thoroughbred racing with casino gaming under one roof.
Here's where players get confused. You might see Hollywood Casino advertised online, assume it's available everywhere, and then hit a wall when you try to sign up. The digital version - now branded as Hollywood Casino by FanDuel in some markets - operates under state-specific licenses.
Currently, you can play Hollywood Casino online in Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Jersey, and West Virginia. If you're in Ohio or Illinois, you're limited to the brick-and-mortar experience - there's no legal online casino component yet. Well, technically there's a 'Hollywood Casino' app in Illinois, but it's for sports betting only, not table games or slots.
The online platform runs on FanDuel's tech stack now. That means a cleaner interface than the old Penn proprietary software, but also a different bonus structure. More on that in a second.
Walking into a Hollywood Casino property, you generally know what you're getting: mid-tier pricing, decent food options, and a layout that prioritizes slots over table games. The Columbus property, for example, has over 1,700 slot machines but only about 60 table games. If you're a craps or roulette player, call ahead - some locations have surprisingly limited hours for table games during weekdays.
Poker players, heads up: not every Hollywood Casino has a poker room. Columbus does not. Toledo does not. You'll need to head to Charles Town, WV (Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races) for live poker action in the Hollywood family. That property also offers the closest experience for players in the DC/Northern Virginia area, roughly an hour's drive from downtown DC.
Don't expect Michelin-star dining, but Hollywood properties consistently deliver better-than-expected food. The Final Cut Steakhouse brand appears at multiple locations (Columbus, Joliet, Charles Town), and it's legitimately good - USDA Prime steaks, solid wine list, reasonable prices compared to high-end city restaurants. For a casino steakhouse, it punches above its weight.
Casual options typically include a sports bar and a 24/7 cafe-style spot. The Epic Buffet brand has mostly faded out; most locations now lean into quick-service concepts. Hollywood Casino Joliet's new property, for instance, built a sportsbook right into the main bar area - convenient if you want to bet a game while playing blackjack.
If you're playing at a physical Hollywood Casino, you're earning points through the mychoice rewards program. This is Penn Entertainment's loyalty system, and it's actually one of the more flexible programs in the industry. Points you earn at Hollywood Casino Columbus can be redeemed at any other Penn property - think M Resort in Vegas, Tropicana Laughlin, or Ameristar properties.
The tier structure works like this:
One thing mychoice does well: points don't expire as long as you have any activity within 12 months. Some competitors have shorter windows, so this is a small but meaningful advantage if you're a casual player.
If you're in a state where Hollywood operates online (PA, MI, NJ, WV), the welcome bonus is currently structured as a deposit match. Typically you'll see something like 100% up to $1,000 + $20 in site credit. The wagering requirement sits at 15x on the deposit match - that's competitive. BetMGM, for comparison, usually runs 15x but requires a larger deposit to max out the bonus.
The $20 site credit is a nice touch because it's playable immediately without wagering requirements. You lose what you don't win, but any profit from that $20 is yours to keep or play with. Always read the fine print on game contributions, though - table games often contribute only 10-20% toward clearing bonuses.
If you're searching 'Hollywood Casino near me' from Washington DC, Baltimore, or anywhere in the Mid-Atlantic, you're probably looking for Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races. This property in West Virginia is unique because it offers:
It's also one of the few Hollywood properties with a real nightlife scene. The Epicenter is their events venue - national touring acts, comedy shows, boxing matches. Check the calendar before you go; a big fight night means the casino floor will be absolutely packed.
| Casino Property | Location | Hotel | Poker Room | Table Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollywood Columbus | Columbus, OH | No | No | ~60 |
| Hollywood Toledo | Toledo, OH | No | No | ~50 |
| Hollywood Joliet | Joliet, IL | No | No | ~40 |
| Hollywood Penn National | Grantville, PA | No | No | ~40 |
| Hollywood Charles Town | Charles Town, WV | Yes (153 rooms) | Yes (18 tables) | ~98 |
Parking at Hollywood properties is almost always free - this shouldn't be noteworthy, but in some casino markets (looking at you, Vegas Strip), paid parking has become the norm. Valet is typically $5-10 unless you're mychoice Elite tier or higher.
Smoking policies vary by state law. Ohio properties are non-smoking indoors, period. West Virginia and Pennsylvania allow smoking on the casino floor. If you're sensitive to smoke, Charles Town can get thick with it during busy weekends - slot machine areas near the entrance tend to be better ventilated.
Alcohol policy: Ohio casinos (Columbus, Toledo) offer free drinks while you're playing. West Virginia and Pennsylvania do not - expect to pay standard bar prices. Some players don't realize this until they're surprised by a $12 cocktail.
Not exactly. Penn Entertainment still owns the physical casino properties and the brand. However, Penn sold a stake in their online division to FanDuel's parent company, Flutter Entertainment. The online casino product now runs on FanDuel's technology platform, which is why you'll see it branded as 'Hollywood Casino by FanDuel' in app stores. The land-based casinos remain 100% Penn-owned.
Yes. Your mychoice card and points work at any Penn Entertainment property nationwide. Earn points at Hollywood Casino Columbus, redeem them for a free night at M Resort in Las Vegas. Tier status also carries across all properties. The one catch: some promotional offers are property-specific and won't transfer.
Six major properties operate under the Hollywood Casino brand: Columbus and Toledo in Ohio, Joliet in Illinois, Penn National in Pennsylvania, Charles Town in West Virginia, and Bangor in Maine. Additionally, Penn operates racetrack-casinos (racinos) under other brand names like Greektown in Detroit.
No. Hollywood Casino's online platform operates only in Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Jersey, and West Virginia. Ohio and Illinois residents can only gamble in person at the physical casinos. Online sports betting (Hollywood-branded through Barstool/ESPN Bet) is more widely available, but that's separate from the casino app.
Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races in West Virginia is the primary property with an on-site hotel. Some other locations have partner hotels nearby with shuttle service, but Charles Town is your best bet if you want a full resort experience within the Hollywood brand.
