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
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.
Worst Casino ever. Had a hard time getting my promo for a room at 79.00 and once I did it was the time ever. Buffett was horrible. Food pans were empty and the employees had no initiative to fill them. They’d look at the empty ones and never come back. The self serve stations were never stocked, no coffee or cream. Bathrooms were dirty. Next time, gonna spend the extra money and stay at the Meadows.
Horrible, I have gambled there for 3 years like an idiot and have never won a jackpot when I go in there I take anywhere from 500 to 1500 and the most I’ve ever won was 1000 hand pay 1 time I just put 400 in a 50 cent machine and the most it paid was 15.00 they are crooks they need to be held accountable for ripping people off. It’s supposed to be entertainment maybe for the crooks that own the place. I WILL NEVER GO BACK. THROW YOUR MONEY OUT YOUR WINDOW YOU WILL BE BETTER OFF.
Stayed there for 2 days July 19-20. The power went out on Saturday (100 degree day) for roughly 4 hours. The hotel had no food and drinks available and obviously no AC,as well as a cold shower in the dark. Slots and tables were operating of course to take your money.The worst part was checkout as they offered no compensation whatsoever. Terrible, terrible service.
Been going to this casino for years They have tightened up so much They are spending a lot of money on stupid upgrades On ticket cash out machines and and Just constantly rearranging Machines making the players and making the customers lose to pay for Very unnecessary things Lowering free play Lowering everything all around making their loyal customers very mad To where many of them are ready to call it quits