Hot Springs, Ark., doesn’t exactly scream entertainment “hot spot,” but the Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort is definitely a popular gaming destination. The Horseplayers Association of North America voted Oaklawn the fifth-best horse racing track in the country, and the casino is terrific as well.
Oaklawn Park was first established on Feb. 24, 1905, and the state held a huge celebration to honor the opening. Despite closing down a few different times since 1905, the casino resort is still extremely important to the community in Hot Springs.
Horse racing is the biggest draw at Oaklawn, and some of the best horses in the history of the sport have raced on the one-mile track. The location still holds several major horse races, but customers visit Oaklawn for the casino and resort throughout the year, even when races aren’t being held.
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort Games
Betting on horse races is the biggest draw at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, but there are many other ways to win big as well. Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort features slot games, table games, and they have recently added sports betting as well.
There are over 1,500 slot machines at Oaklawn, giving customers plenty of unique ways to play. Video poker is also featured at this location, and it has become extremely popular with customers.
Oaklawn had a limited number of table games available until the new expansion was able to create some more room. There are now 32 tables located on the property, and all of the popular games are featured. Table games are open from 11 am until 3 am Sunday-Thursday, and 10 am until 5 am Friday-Saturday.
The Oaklawn Race and Sportsbook is now located on the casino floor, and it is open to take your sports bets. The sportsbook features all of the normal betting options as well as live betting. Kiosks are set up at the casino, and they are available whenever the casino is open.
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort Hotel
There currently is not a hotel on-site at Oaklawn, but that is set to change in 2021. Oaklawn announced a major renovation plan in 2018, and the project is getting close to being finished.
The biggest part of this expansion project will be the construction of a new high-rise hotel that will be seven floors tall. There will be a total of 200 rooms on the property, and that includes a pair of Presidential suites.
The new hotel will also include an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, a luxury spa, and another new restaurant at the facility. The expansion project is considered one of the biggest investments in the hospitality industry in the state of Arkansas.
A massive event center will also be built during the expansion project, and it will be able to host several large events in Arkansas. A larger gaming floor was included with this project, but the remainder of the project is still underway.
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort Dining
If you come hungry to the Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, then you will find plenty of excellent dining options to satisfy your hunger. There are nine different dining options at the resort, but a few of them are only open on race days or for special events.
One unique feature of the Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort is their concession stand that is open during horse racing events. Patrons of the casino can visit the concession stand, where the traditional concession stand food is offered.
The Silks Bar and Grill is the most popular dining option at the resort, and it is open to residents of Hot Springs as well. The Oaklawn Jockey Club is more of a high-class dining option for VIP personnel that comes to the resort.
Race days feature the best time to dine at the resort, but there are great options throughout the year as well. Most patrons will come to the resort for gambling, but there are some patrons that come just for the food and drinks.
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort Rewards
Another great feature of Oaklawn is the terrific rewards program that they offer. If you want to be treated like royalty, then the Oaklawn Rewards program is for you.
It is quick and easy to apply for the Rewards program, and anyone accepted will receive a Rewards card to be used at the resort. Rewards members can use the card to rack up points that can be redeemed for discounts at restaurants or hotels on the resort.
The rewards program is free to join, and it’s easy to rack up points that can be redeemed instantly. There are three levels of the rewards program, with the elite requiring 60,000 points throughout the calendar year.
The rewards program isn’t the main reason that people visit the Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, but it is a big reason that people keep coming back.
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort Entertainment
Horse racing events are the main source of entertainment at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, but there are other featured events as well. The resort books some major music talent throughout the year, and they always seem to draw big crowds.
There are many different types of events that are held at Oaklawn, and some of the entertainment is family-friendly. The website keeps customers up to date on the latest entertainment events that are scheduled, and all of the information can be found on the website.