Delaware Park, located in Wilmington, Delaware, is the latest casino to bring a whole new level of excitement to patrons residing in the state. It recently broke new ground on the construction of a brand-new outdoor gaming hub that will be home to over 250 slot machines. The outdoor gaming casino will become part of the grandstand, and it will allow smoking as well, much like Bally's Dover casino, which recently opened its outdoor gaming space.

Delaware Park Casino has officially broken ground on a pioneering outdoor gaming enclosure, poised to become the largest of its kind in Delaware. This new gaming area, featuring more than 250 of the most popular slot gaming machines, will offer an open-air experience for guests. Set to open in spring, 2025, the outdoor gaming space is part of a strategic effort by Delaware Park to modernize and enhance its facilities.

Located alongside the horse racing oval, the gaming space will be integrated into the outdoor grandstand of the facility. The casino aims to provide a unique experience for its patrons by combining the thrill of gaming with the comfort and atmosphere of an outdoor environment.

Addressing the smoking ban

One of the significant reasons behind the creation of the outdoor gaming patio is to accommodate guests who wish to smoke while gambling. Delaware's Clean Indoor Air Act, which came into effect in November of 2022, prohibits smoking inside enclosed public places and most workplaces, including casinos. This regulation meant that smokers had to step outside for a cigarette break, potentially interrupting their gaming experience. Delaware Park's outdoor patio will now offer them the opportunity to enjoy their favorite slot machines without leaving the casino floor.

Terry Glebocki, General Manager and President of Delaware Park, highlighted the value of the new gaming area: "We look forward to offering Delaware's largest outdoor slot patio. This spacious new patio is designed with our guests in mind. They will soon be able to enjoy the outdoors while playing the area's best selection of slots, all without compromising comfort or excitement."

Delaware's largest outdoor gaming place

The outdoor gaming space, covering 10,000 square feet, will be climate-controlled, allowing for year-round use. With a larger footprint than the recently opened Outdoor Gaming Space at Bally's Dover, Delaware Park is positioning its new addition as the premier destination for outdoor gaming in the state.

Delaware Park's decision to invest $5 million in the construction of the outdoor gaming area follows a trend of upgrades at the casino. Recently, the casino went through a $10 million renovation that revamped its interiors, replacing old carpets with more colorful and modern designs and installing newer video lottery terminals (VLTs). The updates also introduced a "Link Lounge" offering popular games like Dragon Link, Buffalo Link, and Lightning Dollar Link, alongside a high-limit room for VIP players. Additionally, Delaware Park launched The Player Rewards Club, a space where members can access their latest offers, participate in promotions, and reprint cards.

A year-round attraction

The $5 million investment into the outdoor gaming patio is part of Delaware Park's strategy to continue providing its patrons with top-notch experiences. The climate-controlled space will ensure that visitors can enjoy outdoor gaming regardless of the season, making it a year-round attraction. The outdoor slot patio is expected to attract a broad range of guests who appreciate the flexibility of smoking while playing or simply prefer the fresh air of an open environment.

Delaware Park currently offers 44 live casino tables and approximately 1,900 slot video lottery terminals. The casino operates on the Delaware Lottery's VLT system, with the property retaining around 43% of the slot revenue and 80% of the table game profits.

The leading casino in Delaware

Delaware Park continues to lead the state's gaming industry. In the fiscal year 2024, the casino generated nearly $168.6 million in revenue from over $1.97 billion spent on its slot machines. Table games contributed an additional $25.1 million in revenue. This solid performance demonstrates Delaware Park's role as the top revenue generator among the state's three casinos, with Harrington Raceway & Casino being the third.

Delaware Park was bought in 2021 by private equity firm Clairvest in partnership with Rubico Gaming, LLC, a San Francisco-based company led by gaming industry veteran Thomas Benninger. As Delaware Park continues to expand and innovate, its new outdoor gaming patio is expected to enhance its reputation as a premier gaming destination, drawing more visitors and providing an elevated gaming experience in Delaware.