Tonight, between 8 and 9:15p, we drove down to check out the scene.  Of course, the lines were still at the Horseshoe, but apparently, not nearly as long.  We were stuck in traffic several times (mind you, this was a Tuesday night in downtown Cleveland) There was a traffic cop at Ontario PS and Ontario-Prospect... People were congregating on the SW quadrant of PS waiting for the follow-up light show on the Higbee building.  There were Chicago/D.C.-type crowds everywhere w/in 4 blocks of the casino -- and the bars and restaurants everywhere were full -- from E. 4th to the WHD; packed in many cases.  The crowds started tailing off by the time we hit E. 9th, eastbound, although there was some separate buzz at PHS ... theatre night.

Tonight, between 8 and 9:15p, we drove down to check out the scene.  Of course, the lines were still at the Horseshoe, but apparently, not nearly as long.  We were stuck in traffic several times (mind you, this was a Tuesday night in downtown Cleveland) There was a traffic cop at Ontario PS and Ontario-Prospect... People were congregating on the SW quadrant of PS waiting for the follow-up light show on the Higbee building.  There were Chicago/D.C.-type crowds everywhere w/in 4 blocks of the casino -- and the bars and restaurants everywhere were full -- from E. 4th to the WHD; packed in many cases.  The crowds started tailing off by the time we hit E. 9th, eastbound, although there was some separate buzz at PHS ... theatre night.

I just got excited about downtown and its future by reading your post!! lol

Tonight, between 8 and 9:15p, we drove down to check out the scene.  Of course, the lines were still at the Horseshoe, but apparently, not nearly as long.  We were stuck in traffic several times (mind you, this was a Tuesday night in downtown Cleveland) There was a traffic cop at Ontario PS and Ontario-Prospect... People were congregating on the SW quadrant of PS waiting for the follow-up light show on the Higbee building.  There were Chicago/D.C.-type crowds everywhere w/in 4 blocks of the casino -- and the bars and restaurants everywhere were full -- from E. 4th to the WHD; packed in many cases.  The crowds started tailing off by the time we hit E. 9th, eastbound, although there was some separate buzz at PHS ... theatre night.

 

Reading this made my day.

Went to the casino yesterday around 6:00. There was no line at any of the street level entrances, so we stopped in. Places was packed on the inside, it felt crowded, and the machines and tables are squeezed into every available location. Ended up grabbing a burger at b spot. We wanted to see how tower city was pedestrian wise so we exited downstairs and found that they were queuing up people down there to be let in even though there were no lines upstairs. Also for 7pm the buffet was about 40-50% full with no line.  Good for a Tuesday I'm sure, but wonder how it will be 3-6 months from now.  Tower city had a good amount of traffic, but the majority of the shops were closed, looking forward to the new hours.

 

After exploring downtown more and grabbing some drinks at greenhouse we came back for the 9:30 showing of the light show. It was interesting, but as you can see by the pic attached, 2 lights were left on so that messed with the effects.

 

The activity is good news. And there are tens/hundreds of thousands who won't venture down for weeks/months 'til they feel it will be saner...

 

And layer convention, baseball, basketball, hockey and concert crowds on top of that - folks who might drop by before or after the game or meeting... And the crowds who will already be on E4th/WHD anyway... and who just add it to the evening. And then add the convention center in a year, just when the novelty of casino wears off - and you have a whole new influx of visitors..

 

I think this is all a % game... both in and out of casino... - and that % adds up. If even 5% of casino patrons (and hope it is more) - venture out onto streets each day - then that's 500 more people at restaurants and in shops, etc... than before. If only 5% of people going to games, dining, etc... drop by casino - then that's 500-1000 more each game day/each Sat night.. If only 5% of convention attendees go to casino or eat in WHD/E4th, then that's 250-500 more people a day, etc... Even at a 5% rate - you just added hundreds of thousands of related visits a year to other downtown venues..

I heard on the news in some random short interview that someone was disappointed that they only had video slots? No mechanical ones. Is this true?

I heard on the news in some random short interview that someone was disappointed that they only had video slots? No mechanical ones. Is this true?

Yes and she said she would go to Erie before here because she prefers mechanical ones hopefully this won't be the vast majority. Though she did said it was a nice casino just crowded...wish I was old enough  :-(

I heard on the news in some random short interview that someone was disappointed that they only had video slots? No mechanical ones. Is this true?

Yes and she said she would go to Erie before here because she prefers mechanical ones hopefully this won't be the vast majority. Though she did said it was a nice casino just crowded...wish I was old enough  :-(

 

Im afraid to ask, but what the hell!  How old are you?

I am thinking about going to the casino later today. Has anyone been there today.

Are there lines to get in.

I am thinking about going to the casino later today. Has anyone been there today.

Are there lines to get in.

 

It shouldn't be a problem

Casino just launched a Facebook promotion - $19.00 rooms at Ritz-Carlton... "tonight only" - and I checked and this was bookable for tonight. A friend says her relative booked Saturday night for $19, too. Crazy...

holy crap!

I am thinking about going to the casino later today. Has anyone been there today.

Are there lines to get in.

 

It shouldn't be a problem

 

The lines at 2 p.m. looked longer today than yesterday. Or maybe it was because they were wrapped around the building from the Prospect side this time, rather than the Ontario side as was the case yesterday.

Casino just launched a Facebook promotion - $19.00 rooms at Ritz-Carlton... "tonight only" - and I checked and this was bookable for tonight. A friend says her relative booked Saturday night for $19, too. Crazy...

 

 

Yeah I seen that Promotion on facebook and thought to good to be true...The support has been so strong that I guess their trying to give back....ITS IS AWESOME

There's a home Cleveland Indians baseball game tonight at 7pm...Downtown is going to be crazy tonight plus I'm sure tone of people are going to be coming to check out Horseshoe Casino....Wow I love Cleveland

Casino just launched a Facebook promotion - $19.00 rooms at Ritz-Carlton... "tonight only" - and I checked and this was bookable for tonight. A friend says her relative booked Saturday night for $19, too. Crazy...

 

 

Yeah I seen that Promotion on facebook and thought to good to be true...The support has been so strong that I guess their trying to give back....ITS IS AWESOME

 

It is a great deal for people, and I expect you will see promotions like this often since the casino and the hotel are owned by the same company.

It is a great deal for people, and I expect you will see promotions like this often since the casino and the hotel are owned by the same company.

 

Yep, its a great deal for people  ...  and the casino, the hotel, downtown restaurants, downtown bars.  Positives for all parties involved!!!  :clap:  :clap:

You guys have to understand how casinos operate.  They are not giving anything away, or trying to give something back.  Those people will go to the casino, and many of them might spend $100, but many, many, many will spend more than that; many times over the cost of the rooms.

 

Those who don't maintain a certain level possibly won't get those free rooms the next time.

You guys have to understand how casinos operate.  They are not giving anything away, or trying to give something back.  Those people will go to the casino, and many of them might spend $100, but many, many, many will spend more than that; many times over the cost of the rooms.

 

Those who don't maintain a certain level possibly won't get those free rooms the next time.

 

Exactly.  It's the bait teaser to get you into the casino/hotel.  Also for those that look at the cost as a "bargain".  They now thinks, "Hey now I've got more money to spend eating, drinking, partying, to see a show, to go to X event" and so on.

Well, also if the parking and hotel are set up as seperate companies, the casino will subsidize the cost of the room or spot and pay those seperate companies the money.

 

That way, casino expenses go up, and profits go down.  Casinos are taxed at very high rates compared to hotels or parking garages.  It's not a bad thing....unless you have to knock down landmark buildings for the parking structure ;)

I heard on the news in some random short interview that someone was disappointed that they only had video slots? No mechanical ones. Is this true?

Yes and she said she would go to Erie before here because she prefers mechanical ones hopefully this won't be the vast majority. Though she did said it was a nice casino just crowded...wish I was old enough  :-(

 

Im afraid to ask, but what the hell!  How old are you?

Why are you afraid to ask? And I'm 19

My surprise at the $19 hotel rooms was that they were $19 - at the Ritz-Carlton (which is probably, what, $225-$250ish on a weeknight - even in CLE?). Even 3x that would have been too low to pass up...

My friends tried to get in tonight (Wednesday night) around 8:30/9 but the lines were pretty long so they went to dinner.  After the game let out the lines were at least double what they were when they got there.  Sounds like it was another crazy night!

My friends tried to get in tonight (Wednesday night) around 8:30/9 but the lines were pretty long so they went to dinner.  After the game let out the lines were at least double what they were when they got there.  Sounds like it was another crazy night!

 

These lines are insane!  http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/cleveland_metro/Horseshoe-Casino-and-Indians-share-downtown-center-stage-opening-night-of-a-long-run

There is a really nice view from inside the casino at the Food Court overlooking W. 2nd and W. Prospect Street. They do open it and it makes you wonder what the block would look like when Phase 2 is built. Oh and I have more cash to spend on local businesses: made $20 into $600 in two nights. The lines are insane but the perfect time to go is before noon or around 6 to 8 pm. And definitely go in through Tower City at the basement level

Casino just launched a Facebook promotion - $19.00 rooms at Ritz-Carlton... "tonight only" - and I checked and this was bookable for tonight. A friend says her relative booked Saturday night for $19, too. Crazy...

 

WKNR Sports Radio just broadcast 24-hours, non-stop, from the Horseshoe.  On the Rizzo/Goldhammer show, some official told them that downtown hotels were booked solid, as in 100% capacity, and that there were no openings at the Ritz for several months. Can anyone verify this?

I heard on the news in some random short interview that someone was disappointed that they only had video slots? No mechanical ones. Is this true?

Yes and she said she would go to Erie before here because she prefers mechanical ones hopefully this won't be the vast majority. Though she did said it was a nice casino just crowded...wish I was old enough  :-(

 

Im afraid to ask, but what the hell!  How old are you?

Why are you afraid to ask? And I'm 19

 

Someone noted that Cavs' Rookie-of-the-Year, Kyrie Irving is also not old enough to enter the casino -- he turned 20, Mar. 23rd.

^ how long until the pete rose and art schlister sightings??

 

wait, is there a sports book in there??

 

i have another question too - is there a stage and vegas style entertainment yet?

 

or will that have to wait until the alleged phase II is built?

 

it will be cool to check out the cleveland rat pack summit, englebert humperdinck (via his clev spouse?), seigfried & roy, etc.

 

 

Casino just launched a Facebook promotion - $19.00 rooms at Ritz-Carlton... "tonight only" - and I checked and this was bookable for tonight. A friend says her relative booked Saturday night for $19, too. Crazy...

 

WKNR Sports Radio just broadcast 24-hours, non-stop, from the Horseshoe.  On the Rizzo/Goldhammer show, some official told them that downtown hotels were booked solid, as in 100% capacity, and that there were no openings at the Ritz for several months. Can anyone verify this?

 

My brother and his wife tried to book a room at the Ritz-Carlton for their anniversary this summer (mid-July) and they told them that they are all booked up through September 30.

Casino just launched a Facebook promotion - $19.00 rooms at Ritz-Carlton... "tonight only" - and I checked and this was bookable for tonight. A friend says her relative booked Saturday night for $19, too. Crazy...

 

WKNR Sports Radio just broadcast 24-hours, non-stop, from the Horseshoe.  On the Rizzo/Goldhammer show, some official told them that downtown hotels were booked solid, as in 100% capacity, and that there were no openings at the Ritz for several months. Can anyone verify this?

 

We need more hotels!

 

Has the casino booked blocks of hotel rooms for trip packages?

That's Wayne Newton whose wife is from Cleveland (rocky river).

 

Is there a requirement to gamble with the Ritz $19 rooms? I seriously told my husband that if they run another special like that and I can get a room, I wont' be coming home that night, I'll just go to tower city and buy an outfit for work the next day and spend the night at the hotel eating room service and watching movies.

What I can't wait for is the time when we'll be able to tell how much of this "Casino affect" is permanent. That will likely be a determinant development moves downtown for years to come. Atleast in terms of hotels, retail, restaurant and other entertainment.

^ how long until the pete rose and art schlister sightings??

 

wait, is there a sports book in there??

 

i have another question too - is there a stage and vegas style entertainment yet?

 

or will that have to wait until the alleged phase II is built?

 

it will be cool to check out the cleveland rat pack summit, englebert humperdinck (via his clev spouse?), seigfried & roy, etc.

 

 

 

No entertainment.  Keep up man!  :P :P :P

 

Phase II, will have external entrances for the retain spaces unlike other Casinos. 

^ how long until the pete rose and art schlister sightings??

 

wait, is there a sports book in there??

 

i have another question too - is there a stage and vegas style entertainment yet?

 

or will that have to wait until the alleged phase II is built?

 

it will be cool to check out the cleveland rat pack summit, englebert humperdinck (via his clev spouse?), seigfried & roy, etc.

 

 

 

Sportsbooks are banned by federal law in every state except Nevada (and to very limited extent, DE, OR, and MT), so definitely none at our casino. Not even AC has sports gambling, though Jersey is trying to change this.  Doesn't matter anyway, because the NBA would never allow it for the Cleveland casino as long as Gilbert is involved.

 

And Gilbert agreed not to include any entertainment so as not to compete with the other venues in town.

Casino just launched a Facebook promotion - $19.00 rooms at Ritz-Carlton... "tonight only" - and I checked and this was bookable for tonight. A friend says her relative booked Saturday night for $19, too. Crazy...

 

WKNR Sports Radio just broadcast 24-hours, non-stop, from the Horseshoe.  On the Rizzo/Goldhammer show, some official told them that downtown hotels were booked solid, as in 100% capacity, and that there were no openings at the Ritz for several months. Can anyone verify this?

 

My brother and his wife tried to book a room at the Ritz-Carlton for their anniversary this summer (mid-July) and they told them that they are all booked up through September 30.

 

Its giving me a room for Friday night of Memorial weekend, but not Saturday night.  Its not allowing government rate though, which usually makes it the same price as the Holiday Inn for me. :x

 

Sportsbooks are banned by federal law in every state except Nevada (and to very limited extent, DE, OR, and MT), so definitely none at our casino. Not even AC has sports gambling, though Jersey is trying to change this.  Doesn't matter anyway, because the NBA would never allow it for the Cleveland casino as long as Gilbert is involved.

 

And Gilbert agreed not to include any entertainment so as not to compete with the other venues in town.

 

Just a note on sports books, the way the NBA deals with it is that you can't have sports betting on a team that you own. For instance, when the Maloof family owned the Palms and the Sacramento Kings, you could bet on NBA games, just not on games involving the Kings.  There's now a belief that all Caesars hotels will not be allowed to take bets on the Cavs since Gilbert is a partner of theirs. But that's up to the NBA and Nevada Gaming Commission. 

 

Just a note on hotel availability, I went through about 10 different hotels and the only one I could find booked up was the Ritz. Rates did seem to be higher than normal though.

 

I'm curious about parking rates downtown. I take the rapid in so it doesn't effect me one way or the other but how much has the price of parking jumped? I imagine on a night where you have the Indians game going, rates are going to be sky high. I'm concerned that might drive away some non-casino/sports business since we all know how parking is always the big complaint of suburbanites.

^I can't comment on rates, but I work on e.12th and I can tell you that, even this far from the action, the parking garages are filling up earlier. 

My default parking location in downtown in recent years has been the E 4th valet... Has been $8 on non-game nights and $8 (actually $15 w/$7 rebate if you show them E 4th restaurant receipt) on game nights...  Convenient and cheap... though wonder if pricing or rebates will be altered due to casino being only a block away.

Hodge's was offering $7 valet when I was there a few weeks ago... That's still just a long block away to the casino.

Would betting on boxing be allowed? Could Cleveland draw large boxing events now that we have the casino?

I heard on the news in some random short interview that someone was disappointed that they only had video slots? No mechanical ones. Is this true?

Yes and she said she would go to Erie before here because she prefers mechanical ones hopefully this won't be the vast majority. Though she did said it was a nice casino just crowded...wish I was old enough  :-(

 

Which is also false.  There are mechanical machines in there, on the main floor no less.  Some people I swear will make up any excuse to rag on this city.

^ Haha, so they actually exist and she just missed them?

Would betting on boxing be allowed? Could Cleveland draw large boxing events now that we have the casino?

 

I don't think so: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_and_Amateur_Sports_Protection_Act_of_1992

 

Just a note on sports books, the way the NBA deals with it is that you can't have sports betting on a team that you own. For instance, when the Maloof family owned the Palms and the Sacramento Kings, you could bet on NBA games, just not on games involving the Kings.  There's now a belief that all Caesars hotels will not be allowed to take bets on the Cavs since Gilbert is a partner of theirs. But that's up to the NBA and Nevada Gaming Commission. 

 

Ahh, got it, thanks for the info.

Went to the casino at lunch. No line to get in on Tower City level. Waited in line abuot 10 mins to get my Total Rewards card (had the printed/paper one, needed the real one). It really is beautiful inside and very crowded. Lines at B-spot and Corky & Lenny's were very long, Rocco & Rosie's line very short but they seemed to be moving through people quicker. Lost a little money on the machines, which I expected, it was fun as I haven't gambled in any way in years.

 

Also performed my good deed of the day (or passed my test, if you are a religious or karmic type) - went to the Charter One ATM before going down to the casino, and arrived just as a guy walked away. When I turned to the machine, it said "Do you want another transaction?" as his card was still in there. I looked over my shoulder to yell to the guy but he was gone. I got such a brief glimpse of him I had no idea what he looked like but I looked around for a minute and couldn't locate him. I took a few steps in the direction he walked away but couldn't see anyone. The 16 year old RNR briefly appeared and wanted to say yes and withdraw whatever was in there, but the 40something RNR said no, took the card, and gave it to a cop, explaining what happened. It later occurred to me that when I was 16, there weren't videocameras recording everything all over but now, there are, and it's a good thing I'm not 16 in this day and age or I could be on my way to jail now.

I also wanted to mention that both ways to and from Public Square, all the bits of conversation I overheard from people on the street were related to the casino, gambling, how thigns work, where to go, what's in there, etc. There's definitely a buzz. The people I saw inside appeared to be largely the kind you would expect to see at Presque Isle or similar - a lot of 50s/60s people who know their way around casinos and are comfortable in them. I was in line at the Total Rewards desk in front of an old guy who was talking about just having taken his 2 sisters to Presque Isle recently, how he can only go in the part that is non-smoking because he can't stand the smoke in the other parts and how glad he was this one is non-smoking.

Thanks for the report, and congrats on being a good-deed-doer! You're right about the cameras, and it's not worth it considering most ATMs won't let you take out more than $200 at a time. And I'd bet (OK, probably not the best word here) that it wouldn't let you do repeated transactions. Even if it did, with my luck, the card's owner would probably return before I could walk away in full view of perhaps a dozen security cameras!

 

So did you get a chance to get any food? If so, how was it Mrs. UO Foodie!?!

^^^There is a video camera in the ATM.  Just an FYI in case 16 yo RNR overpowers the older version some day...

 

^The $200 limit does not apply to all ATMs.  For one of my accounts, I can withdraw up to $400

And all ATM's will ask for the PIN again when you click that you want another transaction.

Mine never asks for that!

 

At any rate, for those of you who are parents, something does change you. The 16 year old me is not allowed to come out unless she forces her way out when I am really, really under the influence of something. I actually didn't think about the camera aspect until later (and duh, of course there would be one in the ATM, didn't even think of that!), but my hesitation was only momentary - in my youth, I would have felt this was the world handing me an opportunity, handing me money that I should take. Now all I thought was how bad I would feel spending that money. Then how it would be the worst thing in the world to have to have my husband tell my son that mommy is in jail. The whole thing just made me a little sick thinking about it.

 

I did not go to the buffet as I assumed it was packed and I woudl rather go there with someone else. I did check out the lines at the 3 local places in the food court. B-spot and Corky & Lenny's lines were long but Rocco's was short and seemed to be passing people through quickly. I eat at the B-spot all the time so that was not a draw, and I've never been much of a fan of Corky & Lenny's. I am supposed to be going out to dinner tonight so I didn't want to load up on a heavy pizza or pasta thing, so I actually ended up grabbing subway on my way back to the office as I was almost out of time on my lunch hour.

^The $200 limit does not apply to all ATMs.  For one of my accounts, I can withdraw up to $400

 

Cool. So what ATM do you usually use most often, and at what time of day do you typically use it? ;)