River Downs Racetrack Renamed Belterra Park

By Mike Perleberg

River Downs race track in eastern Hamilton County will has been renamed Belterra Park. The track is owned by Belterra Casino parent company Pinnacle Entertainment.

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Pinnacle Entertainment executives announced Wednesday that Belterra Park will open in May of 2014.

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(Cincinnati, Oh.) - The tri-state gambling market is getting more crowded by the month it seems.

Pinnacle Entertainment owns Belterra Casino in Switzerland County. Pinnacle purchased River Downs race track in Hamilton County’s Anderson Township for $45 million in 2010.

On Wednesday, executives at the horse track gave an update on the $200 million project to transform the track into a racino that will be renamed Belterra Park.

“We have thoughtfully designed Belterra Park, integrating quality thoroughbred horse racing with a beautiful gaming entertainment facility,” said Anthony M. Sanfilippo, Chief Executive Officer of Pinnacle Entertainment. “We have confidence this investment in Ohio is complementary to the portfolio of Pinnacle Entertainment properties and specifically a benefit to our guests who enjoy Belterra Casino Resort located an hour away in Florence, Indiana.”  

The racino will have 1,600 video slot machines when it opens May 1, 2014. There will also be a six restaurants and a buffet. Horse racing will remain prevalent with a new one-mile dirt track and Ohio’s only turf racetrack.

Pinnacle executives said the racino will create 700 permanent jobs.

Hollywood Casino in Lawrenceburg and Rising Star Casino in Rising Sun have already seen revenues fall by more than a quarter since the Horseshoe Casino in Cincinnati opened in March.

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