Hollywood Casino at The Meadows

Reviews

• ND

  Nic D

  5 days ago
  1.0
  I’ve been coming to The Meadows for Derby and Oaks events for years, and this was easily the worst experience I’ve had. The $125 Derby VIP package is no longer worth it. What used to feel like a premium experience is now just a bland buffet and a seat outside—no gifts, no samples, no atmosphere. It feels stripped down and overpriced. The sportsbook experience was worse. They’ve removed most of the seating, and the staff attitudes are consistently poor. The small man with the big attitude controlling the TVs was outright rude, dismissive, sexist and unprofessional. During the Kentucky Oaks—a once-a-year event—I had already been watching it on a main TV for a long stretch. I stepped away briefly to use the restroom, came back, and it had been changed. When I asked to have it switched back, I was flat-out refused and brushed off with “it’s the NBA and NHL playoffs,” even though those games were already playing on plenty of other TVs. There are dozens of screens—this wasn’t a conflict, it was a choice to be difficult. The way it was handled felt condescending and dismissive, as if my request didn’t matter at all, especially since I’m a female. No effort, no compromise, no basic customer service. To make it worse, I was there with my handicapped mother who uses a cane. Because staff refused to make a simple accommodation, I had to walk her all the way down to another level just to watch the race, then back up again. There was zero compassion or awareness from staff. Derby day didn’t improve. The sound cut in and out and didn’t come on until minutes before the race. The food at the sportsbook was poor, and the bartenders and staff all seemed annoyed to even be there. This used to be a great yearly tradition, but the experience has gone downhill across the board—value, atmosphere, and especially customer service. For what they charge, this is unacceptable.
• NR

  Nikki Robison

  May 2, 2026
  2.0
  This place is infuriating, the Valet said closed but there were at least a hundred open spaces, then the bar in the horse racing area had no bartender..2 ladies came and worked on the POS but didn't clean up any of the trash on Derby Day when it was busy! Beyond ridiculous A lot of people were waiting in a long line to bet but there were computer betting stations all around. But no signage.
• HH

  Haywire629

  Apr 29, 2026
  1.0
  I’m extremely disappointed with how this situation was handled. This was my first time ever accidentally parking in what turned out to be valet parking. I was only in the spot for about 10 minutes when I returned to find a large 8x8 orange sticker placed on my driver-side window stating I was parked in a no-parking area. I immediately called the casino and explained the situation, but I was told by the valet/security manager that this is standard protocol. I understand the need to enforce parking rules, but placing a large, difficult-to-remove sticker on a guest’s vehicle is excessive and unnecessary. A simple notice or card would have been more than sufficient. Instead, I was forced to drive home with this sticker obstructing my window, and I couldn’t remove it easily. Not only was this inconvenient and embarrassing, but it also felt disrespectful as a guest. The adhesive even risked damaging my vehicle. To make matters worse, when I spoke with the security manager, I was told that I was “lucky” my car had not been towed. That response was completely inappropriate and only added to the negative experience. I was not intentionally violating any rules, and being spoken to in that manner felt dismissive and unprofessional. This experience left a very negative impression. Hospitality should involve treating guests with respect, even when correcting a mistake. This approach felt punitive rather than professional, and it has influenced my decision not to return. I hope you reconsider how situations like this are handled in the future, as it directly impacts how guests perceive your establishment.
• SS

  sparzent

  Apr 26, 2026
  5.0
  Really good place they had slot machines everywhere roulette and 21 on the lower floor where I was at there was pinko games halo games a Minecraft dungeon game that gives you a card and you can scan it they also had claw machines and If you don't like any of that there is a bowling alley
• JU

  JoBeth Urcho

  Apr 10, 2026
  1.0
  This used to be an amazing, fun place to go. (Gosh, I miss the "tent" days!) Unless you are an extremely high roller, players mean nothing to the establishment. The physical set-up of the place is annoyingly convoluted. Restrooms are literally at polar opposite ends of the playing floor. (As someone with a mobility disability, it's infuriating.) The lack of beverage stations is also quite annoying. Meadows STILL blames Covid for lack of stations - though we can use the same machines, ATMs, etc. Every other casino in the area has stations. We have two bars that, AGAIN, have their version of bankers' hours. So, if you want a drink you have to PAY $2-3 for a damn cup at the food court. (Only one restaurant is open past 10/11 p.m.) A manager begrudgingly scolded me that the Meadows prides itself on service with the servers that come around to get drinks for slot players. (Women servers dressed like they're going to be pole dancing, male servers dressed for church. It's a bit scummy.)I had him wait with me to see how long it took to be approached by a server. After 20 minutes, he left and got the drink for me himself. (Again this was at midnight, when players are really not cared about.) He insisted it was an off-night; I told him it's been an "off night" for a few years now. [I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post his name here or not. He is an active manager still.] The only guest relations desk is in the middle of the casino, but is only open until 9 or 10 p.m., so if you're a night person, you cannot get anything done - new cards, etc. unless you find a willing floor manager. (Haha...good luck with that.) The promotions, first of all, completely suck. A $5 free play is NOT a promotion. (I play enough for a LOT more...other casinos give me all sorts of things and free play!) They also only run from 6:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m., so again...2nd and 3rd shift people get screwed. Their PENNPLAY platform is notorious for not working. The whole "system" is the WORST I've ever encountered. To beat all, even Meadows employees don't know how to use it, problem-solve issues, etc. so (once again) the players get screwed out of the crappy "earned" rewards. I was given surveys twice to fill out about my experiences. On both, I wrote what I did here and got a bit more personal with issues I've had and things I've heard and noted from other players. I have ALWAYS requested a callback from the Meadows to further elaborate because they "caressed want to "provide the best experience" to guests. I haven't received any calls or emails back. Odd, right? So, we mostly take our gambling fun time to West Virginia. Even if I go twice a year, I get free room stays, concert/comic tickets, food vouchers, buffets, and tons of free play. I stay away from the. "Hollywood" brand now - as do many other locals that once went a ton. Gambling is basically giving away your money, so I won't complain about how tight their machines are. Just odd that people don't seem to make a bigger issue out of the fines they've had to pay because they set their machines too tight. (This was a few years ago. I'll have to research their current situation.) I will say, you don't often hear bells go off. Interesting, huh? Side Note: I do LOVE the Bisteca and the event coordinators there. They are a hardworking crew that always provide amazing service and food!