Delaware Park Casino’s $10M Expansion Now Open for Business

Article ByDavid Weir

January 26, 2024

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Posted in: Delaware Gambling News, US Casino News, US Gambling News

Delaware Park Casino & Racing, located in Stanton, Delaware, has completed a $10 million upgrade to its casino floor (pictured).  

To celebrate this major milestone, the casino organized a grand ribbon-cutting ceremony, featuring guest speakers, performances, Vegas-style showgirls, and other festive activities.

The renovation project, which began in early 2023 following a change in ownership, included several major enhancements to the first floor of the casino.

New Gambling Options

It now has 1,500 slot machines, many of which have been upgraded to new games and models, as well as a new, high-limit slot room. A quirk of Delaware casinos legislation is that operators pay more state tax than in most states, but pay no other fees or taxes on specific games.

This means Delaware casinos often get new, in-demand games before smaller New Jersey casinos, for example, where operators pay a premium for newer slot games. For example, the new floor debuted with the latest NFL-licensed slots, as well as Lightning and Buffalo Link progressive jackpot games.

The expansion also added 28 new table games, including another high-limit area. The casino continues to offer Delaware retail sports betting, with the state being one of the first to legalize its market back in 2018.

Other additions to Delaware Park include a new MIDI-baccarat and blackjack pit, more pod-style slot machines, and an array of new food options like slow-cooked brisket cheesesteaks, Vietnamese pho, and a new pan-Asian cuisine eatery focusing on noodles.

Ownership and Management Changes

The renovations and new investment come after a change of ownership in 2023.

The Rickman family, who controlled Delaware Park for nearly four decades, sold the facility to a joint venture between Rubico Gaming and the private equity firm Clairvest Group.

Terry Glebocki, a seasoned casino industry professional and former CEO of Ocean Casino Resort, was appointed as the president and GM of Delaware Park.

Her experience helped transform many aspects of the casino to fit more modern industry standards. For many years, the usual practice was to cram as many slots into a space as possible to maximize revenues. While this might work in the extremely large and busy Nevada casinos of Las Vegas, in smaller venues people actually prefer having more space.

That’s something which Delaware Park has made the most of with its expansion and renovation.

“It’s hard to envision the transformation, but it has been remarkable,” said Glebocki, speaking this week during the opening ceremony.

“There are some slot machines here you will find in very few places across the country.”

Small But Mighty Business

Delaware Park and the state’s other two casinos have seen significant revenue growth in recent years, contributing substantially to the Delaware Lottery, which includes casino revenue.

The casinos were collectively responsible for $240 million in taxes to the general fund, representing pure profit after expenses. This financial success comes after a period of struggles during the national financial crisis, and the recent renovations are expected to bolster the casino’s competitiveness further.

Helene Keeley, director at the Delaware Lottery, emphasized the importance of the casinos’ investment in themselves, especially given the growing gaming market in neighboring states.

“We may be small, but we’re mighty,” Keeley remarked, highlighting Delaware’s ability to thrive amid competition.