Wheeling Island Hotel, Casino & Racetrack is located in the town of Wheeling, West Virginia on Wheeling Island. It was formerly run under the name “Wheeling Downs,” until it was expanded shortly after electronic games were allowed, and once again after table games were approved by local voters in Ohio County, WV (2007). It is now able to offer table games, electronic machines, live greyhound races and off-track betting. Being located on an island, the casino and hotel follow a tropical theme, though the climate here is far from that. It has been suggested by many that the theme is similar to the famous Las Vegas property; Treasure Island Hotel & Casino.
Though it’s located on an island, it is easily accessible and you can get here via three bridges. Downtown Wheeling Island is connected to the mainland via I-70, Route 40 and Route 250. It is the largest island on the Ohio River and has over 3,000 year-round residents. The casino floor measures in at over 90,000 square feet while the hotel at Wheeling Island has a limited amount of space, with just 151 rooms. Out of the more than 150 rooms, just 9 are suites. What it lacks in size however, it tries to make up for with luxury.
Casino at Wheeling Island
Slot Machines Wheeling Island Hotel Casino Racetrack offers hundreds of the most popular game titles and with over 1,100 slot machines there is plenty of the Wheeling Feeling to go around. Check out our most popular games to find the slot machine that will give you those top of the world feelings. (Wheeling, WV – May 24, 2013) - Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack launched its new King Of Pop(TM) slot machines with a special appearance by Bobby Miller as Michael Jackson performing his top hits including Billy Jean, Smooth Criminal., Human Nature and Thriller. Guests could also receive a commemorative King Of Pop(TM) t-shirt. 1,764 Followers, 1,429 Following, 229 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Wheeling Island Casino (@wheelingislandhcr).
The casino floor at Wheeling Island is fairly small, yet comparable to many other West Virginia Casinos like Mardi Gras in Cross Lanes which is about the same size. It has just over 20 tables dedicated to live games, and around 1,400 slot machines. The table games offered here are similar to what you would expect in a Vegas-style casino resort. These games include Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Three Card Poker, Let it Ride and Mississippi Stud. They also have a few Electronic Blackjack machines along with Video Poker, though these games are limited. To play in the casino at Wheeling Island you must be 21 years old.
As the name suggests, the casino floor at Wheeling Island is decorated with tropical island attire. When walking the floor you’ll notice tropical plants, light colors and exposed rocks. Smoking is permitted inside most areas of the casino, though there is one non-smoking slots section. There is also just one high-limit slots room with denominations ranging up to $5. They have many of today’s most popular machines, including features like Wheel of Fortune, Triple Double Diamonds, Top Dollar and over 100 other game types.
Poker Room at Wheeling Island
Located just to the left of the main entrance, the poker room at Wheeling Island casino features just 9 tables, making it one of the smallest in West Virginia. They run both cash games and tournaments regularly, though because of the size we recommend calling in advance to secure a seat. They are opened 24 hours from Friday to Monday, while closing at 2:30AM all other days. Currently Wheeling Island offers Limit Hold ‘Em, No Limit Hold ‘Em, 7 Card Stud and Omaha.
Racetrack at Wheeling Island
Unlike many other states in the US, greyhound racing is still permitted in West Virginia. The racetrack located at the Wheeling Island Casino is built for greyhounds and runs races every day of the week with the exception of Monday and Thursday. The track runs 8 greyhounds per race and is located outdoors. On off-days you can still bet on other races run around the country via simulcast. Off-track betting here also includes horse racing.
Unlike the casino floor, the age to wager on horses and greyhounds is just 18 years old. Through our research, we did find a few reports of animal abuse at Wheeling Island from a few years ago. It does seem like Wheeling Island takes a proactive approach when it comes to fighting these incidents however, but you can learn more here. The most recent reports are from 2013, and we didn’t find anything recent.
Restaurants and Bars at Wheeling Island
Wheeling Island has a fairly limited selection when it comes to restaurants and dining options. This includes The Pointe, The Buffet, The Terrace Room, The Food Court, Trackside Concessions, Crescent Moon Coffee Bar. It also offers Banquet & Catering services for large gatherings. Aside from dining, it does have three full fledge bars which includes The Waves Bar, Castaway Bar and The Sandbar. Though these options are limited compared to casinos in places like Las Vegas or Atlantic City, it does provide some of the best dining on Wheeling Island, and a few more options than other casinos in the area.
Hotel at Wheeling Island Casino
The hotel at wheeling Island is pretty small compared to industry standards. It has just 142 standard rooms and 9 luxury suites, which lacks in comparison to some highly regarded resorts like Caesars Palace in Las Vegas which has roughly 4,000 hotel rooms. Each room is fairly large in regards to “standard” hotel rooms, and are equipped with amenities like marble showers, cotton towels, large closets, TV’s, iron/ironing board, safe, hair dryer, coffee maker and free internet access.
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Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack is a racino located in Wheeling, and it now has a sportsbook.
The property is one of four commercial casinos located in the Mountain State.
Gaming company Delaware North owns and operates Wheeling Island. The company also purchased Mardi Gras Casino in Cross Lanes, West Virginia, making it the only operator to own multiple properties in the state.
Wheeling Island’s history as a gambling site stretches back to 1866. The property began as a thoroughbred and harness racing facility, though it has obviously expanded tremendously since then.
Wheeling Island Sports Betting
Sports betting in West Virginia began on Aug. 30, 2018. Hollywood Casino Charles Town, through a partnership with European sportsbook giant William Hill, became the first location to accept wagers on sporting events.
Wheeling Island joined the party with its sportsbook launching in December 2018.
After plans to launch this summer, in early October, Delaware North informed the WV Lottery that there would be a delay on the launch.
Mobile sports betting
In early March 2019, Wheeling Island Casino, along with its sister property, Mardi Gras Casino unexpectantly ceased operations. Its mobile betting app, BetLucky Sportsbook also went dark. Delaware North blames a dispute between its technology provider, Miomni and Entergaming for the closure.
Delaware North eventually announced it severed its partnership with Miomni. The suspension of sports betting at the property lasted for nearly a year.
Currently, Delaware North and IGT partnered to bring sports betting back to its two retail sportsbooks. Online sports betting is expected to launch soon through the betly betting app.
Wheeling Island Casino gaming
Like its sister property, Wheeling Island is a mid-sized casino that offers most of the typical amenities of any casino resort. It is slightly larger than Mardi Gras, but is not of the same scale of Hollywood Casino or Mountaineer.
Slots and Table Games
Wheeling Island features more than 1,100 slot machines for players. Nearly 80 different titles adorn these machines.
The casino offers both reel-based and video slot games. More than one of these includes a jackpot feature, and at least one game, Hot Shot Progressive, offers the chance a big win.
Some of the more recognizable games include:
- Jurassic Park
- Black & White Wild Jackpot On the Double
- Dancing Drums
- Ellen – The Ellen Degeneres Show Video Slots
- Aztec Dawn
- Heavenly Riches
There are 47 slot machines available in the High Limit room. The High Limit room features both smoking and nonsmoking sections to maximize player comfort.
For players who love table games, Wheeling Island offers roughly 30 tables for play. Patrons will find games like blackjack, craps, roulette, and several other games that promise to be a fun time for all.
Poker
The poker room at Wheeling Island is a small room that offers action most of the day. The facility hosts nine tables for players to choose.
Wheeling Island’s poker room maintains the following hours:
- Monday – Thursday: noon – 2:30 a.m.
- Friday – Sunday: 24 hours a day, beginning at 10 a.m. Friday and ending at 2:30 a.m. Monday morning
The poker room spreads or will spread Limit Texas Hold’em, No-limit Texas Hold’em, Seven Card Stud, and Omaha. The room also features a somewhat unique promotion.
The room posts seven hand combinations on the wall. Each hour, one Texas hold’em hand is designated by room management as the hand of the hour.
If a player can hit the hand within the given hour, he or she will win $100 in cash. Note that this promotion only applies to non-tournament Texas hold’em play.
Racing
Wheeling Island hasn’t lost touch with its roots as a racetrack. The facility offers live greyhound racing to patrons on a year-round basis.
Greyhounds will run every day of the week except Mondays and Tuesdays. The first post time is at 1 p.m.
The facility is also open for simulcast racing every single day. The facility’s simulcast parlor feature 120 racing carrels with individual televisions and an entire wall of big screen TVs.
Promotions
Wheeling Island also runs two promotions during the weekends at the racetrack.
The first is Lucky North 5, which runs on Fridays and Saturdays. Lucky North 5 designates five races as the selected races for the promotion, and bettors select one hound in each race.
Each selection must finish first, second or third for the player to remain in the contest. The bettor who chooses the most first-place finishers wins the contest.
The other promotion is the In the Money promotion, which is active on Saturdays and Sundays. The bettor will select one hound for races 3 – 8 during the day’s races.
As with the Lucky North 5, the winner is the player who successfully chooses the most first-place finishers. The player’s selections must once again finish in the top three in order for the player to continue in the contest.
Hotel and dining
Hotel
Wheeling Island features a 151-room hotel for guests to stay. Guests can choose from standard Pure Rooms up to King Suites for their lodging needs.
Every room at the hotel features a marble shower, flat-screen TV, free wifi, and an in-room safe. The casino website also mentions the luxuriousness of its towels, which must mean that the towels are pretty special.
The hotel also offers package deals that bundle the room with various food and gaming credits. They are:
- Seasonal Package – $129 – $159/night
- Deluxe King room
- $5 Free Play per guest per night
- $10 Food Credit per room per night
- Stay and Play Package – $139 – $169/night
- Deluxe King room
- $10 Free Play per guest per night
- $25 Food Credit per room per night
- Romance Package – $169 – $199/night
- Deluxe King room
- $15 Free Play per guest per night
- $50 Food Credit per room per night
- One Dozen Hand-Dipped Chocolate Strawberries
- One Chilled Bottle of Korbel Champagne
Dining
Considering that Wheeling Island shares so many similarities with Mardi Gras Casino, it comes as a slight surprise that the casino offers so many dining options for patrons. Here they are:
- The Pointe (fine dining)
- The Buffet
- Food Court
- Trackside concessions
- Crescent Moon Coffee Bar
- The Waves Bar
- Castaway’s Bar
- The Sandbar
Players Club
Wheeling Island’s players club features a way for patrons to get the most bang for their buck. The Lucky North Club features five levels of membership that convey an increasing bevy of perks.
Players accumulate points and levels through their play at the casino. Points are awarded using the following schedule:
- Slot play – 1 point per $5 wagered
- Racing – 1 point per $5 wagered
- Table games – 1 point per $5 wagered
One hundred points carries $1 of value. Players can redeem points for valuable Wheeling Island merchandise.
Wheeling Island FAQ
What is the nearest large city to Wheeling Island Casino?
Pittsburgh. The second-largest city in PA is a scant 59 miles to the northeast of the casino. People from Pittsburgh can make it to Wheeling Island by traveling about an hour southwest on I-79.
Does Wheeling Island have an online casino?
Wheeling Island Casino Promotions
Not yet. In fact, there is no online casino anywhere in West Virginia at this point. However, the casino’s sports betting license allows for online wagering, so that may be the first entree into online wagering that Mountain Staters can get.