Your First Visit to Hollywood Casino Columbus: What to Expect Before You Walk In
Whether you're planning a weekend out or just curious what the casino actually offers beyond slots, this guide covers the layout, gaming options, dining, entertainment, parking, and a few practical details that aren't obvious from the casino's own website.
Where It Is and How to Get There
Hollywood Casino Columbus sits at 200 Georgesville Road on the west side of Columbus, near the interchange of I-270 and US-40. It's not downtown, and that's worth knowing before you plan your night. If you're coming from Short North or the Arena District, budget at least 20 minutes by car. Rideshare is a reasonable option since the casino does not operate a shuttle from central Columbus neighborhoods.
Parking is free and extensive, which puts it ahead of most downtown Columbus entertainment options where you'd pay $10 to $20 to park. The garage is connected directly to the entrance, so weather isn't much of a factor.
Gaming Floor: What's Actually There
The floor covers around 100,000 square feet and holds over 2,000 slot and video poker machines along with live table games. Slot denominations start at a penny, though max bet structures on many machines mean your actual spend can climb faster than the denomination suggests.
Table games include blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, and Mississippi Stud, among others. Minimum bets at table games typically start around $10 during off-peak hours and can rise to $15 or $25 on weekend evenings. If you're a lower-stakes table player, arriving on a weekday afternoon gives you better access to the $10 minimums.
Ohio law requires that all casino gaming be conducted on the licensed floor. There is no sportsbook at Hollywood Casino Columbus. If legal sports betting is your goal, you'd need a mobile app (several are licensed in Ohio as of January 2023) rather than a physical book on the premises.
The casino does not offer poker room games in the traditional sense. Video poker is available on the floor, but there is no separate poker room with live dealt poker tables, which distinguishes it from some larger regional casinos.
Mychoice Rewards: Worth Signing Up Before You Go
Hollywood Casino operates on Penn Entertainment's Mychoice loyalty program. Enrollment is free and takes about five minutes at a kiosk or the players club desk. New members typically receive free slot play upon sign-up (the amount varies and is worth confirming at the desk when you arrive). Points accumulate on slot play and can be redeemed for food, hotel credits at partner properties, or additional free play. If you're planning to spend any time on the floor, registering before your first session means you won't lose credit on early play.
Dining Inside the Casino
Four food and beverage options are on-site, which makes this a fuller night-out destination rather than just a gaming stop.
Epic Buffet is the most talked-about option locally. Pricing runs approximately $20–$25 for dinner on weekdays and slightly higher on weekends, with seafood nights on Fridays typically priced at the higher end. For Columbus, that puts it in a competitive range with other buffet-style dining, though the selection tilts toward American comfort food and carving stations rather than anything regionally specific.
Final Cut Steakhouse is the sit-down option for a proper meal. Expect steakhouse pricing in the $40–$70 entree range. Reservations are recommended on weekend nights, and the restaurant is physically separated enough from the floor noise to function as a genuine dinner destination, not just a convenience stop.
The H Lounge serves cocktails and lighter fare and is the best spot if you want a drink without committing to a table or the buffet. It also hosts live music on select evenings.
Quick-service counters near the gaming floor handle burgers, pizza, and fast options if you want to stay close to the tables.
Entertainment and Events
Hollywood Casino Columbus hosts concerts and comedy shows at its on-site venue. Capacity is modest compared to Nationwide Arena or KEMBA Financial Credit Union Arena, which means the acts are typically regional or mid-tier national touring acts rather than arena headliners. Ticket prices for shows generally fall in the $20–$60 range. The upside is that the venue is small enough that most seats offer a clear sightline.
Check the casino's events calendar directly before your visit. Shows sell independently of gaming, so you don't need to gamble to attend a concert.
Practical Details Worth Knowing
You must be 21 or older to enter the gaming floor. Valid government-issued ID is required. Ohio does not allow alcohol on the gaming floor to be carried in from outside; drinks are served by floor staff and comped based on play level for Mychoice members.
The casino is open 24 hours, seven days a week. Sunday morning (roughly 2 a.m. to noon) is typically the quietest window on the floor. Friday and Saturday evenings between 8 p.m. and midnight are the most crowded, and table minimums usually reflect that.
ATMs are available on the floor, but cash advance fees apply. If budget management is a concern, bringing a set amount of cash rather than relying on the ATM is a straightforward way to stay within your intended spend.
Dress code is casual. There is no enforced attire requirement for the floor or the buffet. Final Cut Steakhouse skews more business-casual in practice, though it doesn't post a formal policy.
If you're driving from Columbus's east side, factor in that Georgesville Road off I-270 West can back up on weekend evenings. Arriving before 7 p.m. on a Friday or Saturday makes parking and table access noticeably easier. For a first visit focused on slots and a meal, three to four hours is a realistic window.
