Scioto Downs

Scioto Downs is Ohio's first Racino located in south Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio, in the United States. While the Racino opened on June 1, 2012, the horse racing track has been open since 1959. The track was annexed from Hamilton Township, Franklin County, Ohio in 2012 and operated by MTR Gaming Group. The 117,000-square-foot (10,900 m2) casino with over 2,100 video lottery terminals (or VLTs) is governed by the Ohio Lottery Commission.

Scioto Downs Racino is opened 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. In addition to the VLT gaming facility, Scioto Downs includes a year-round horse racing simulcast room and Live Seasonal Harness Horse Racing from May - September. In May 2013 Scioto Downs will start a live outdoor music concert series with national acts.

Scioto Downs has a long history within the Columbus, Ohio community. In addition to horse racing, Scioto Downs also hosted the annual Ohio High School Athletic Association state cross country running championships, which were generally held in late October or early November, from 1985 to 2010. The meet included Division I, II, and III races for both girls and boys, featuring 950 competitors from 96 teams, and attracted around 10,000 spectators. With the introduction of slot machines to Scioto Downs (a move shared by other Ohio racetracks) the OHSSA, which is opposed to live gambling, announced that from the 2011 meet the OHSAA championships would move from Scioto to the National Trail Raceway.

However, not all were reluctant to the changes at Scioto Downs. The horse owners and trainers were thrilled. With the addition of the video lottery terminals, Scioto Downs, once in struggle, has been able to add more races and increase purses.