Updated by Lynsey Thompson
Casino Expert
Fact Checked by Michael Graham
Content Editor
Oxford Casino Hotel Review for April 2026
Oxford Casino Hotel is the only casino in southern Maine and one of just two commercial casinos in the entire state, a distinction that Maine law has enshrined since a statewide referendum in 2010 authorized a single commercial casino licence for Oxford County.
That referendum, which followed years of debate about whether gambling had any place in one of New England's most rural and scenic states, produced a property that has become the largest employer in the town of Oxford, creating a genuine economic pillar for the region. It has also become a go-to gaming destination for visitors from across Maine, New Hampshire, and northern Massachusetts.
The casino opened on June 5, 2012, developed by Maine-based Black Bear Entertainment, and was sold less than a year later to Churchill Downs Incorporated of Kentucky for approximately $160 million.
Churchill Downs, better known as the home of the Kentucky Derby and one of the most storied names in American racing and gaming, invested in the property almost immediately after acquisition. They added the 107-room hotel, expanded the gaming floor, and grew the staff from around 200 to over 400 people in the years that followed.
Getting There
The casino is located just off Route 26 in Oxford, about a mile from Exit 63 on the Maine Turnpike (I-495). From Portland it's approximately 40 minutes northwest. From the New Hampshire border it's a short drive east, which accounts for a meaningful portion of the customer base coming from across state lines. From Boston allow roughly two to two and a half hours north depending on traffic on I-95.
Free parking is plentiful and site and, conveniently, the parking lot sits directly adjacent to the casino entrance.
Casino Review
The 27,000 square foot gaming floor is open 24 hours, seven days a week. That’s a good start, and not always a given for a casino of this size.
The casino is entirely smoke-free throughout, and that is another huge tick for the property in my opinion. I am aware that not everyone will agree there, though. The smoking in casinos issue is one that makes someone feel excluded either way really, so it’s not an easy situation for anyone to solve.
The floor is compact compared to major resort casinos, which probably forced the smoking decision in truth. Again, smaller casino venues can divide opinion. Some love them, some prefer the sprawling kind. Oxford Casino is navigable, well-maintained, and runs with a friendliness and community feel, so the smaller size kind of works well here.
Table Games
With just 28 tables covering the main games, the selection is focused rather than exhaustive:
I say ‘just’, but 28 tables still probably feels too many to me in a casino this size. Bear in mind, though, that I am a slot player at heart.
There is no poker room but there is a modest sportsbook run by Rush Street Interactive.
Slots
Nearly 1,000 slot machines cover the gaming floor, and they are pretty packed in there. That is not to my personal taste as it can feel a little cramped. When it comes to slots, I am a firm believer that less is more in terms of spacing.
The mix includes classic reels, video slots, and video poker from manufacturers including Konami, IGT, Scientific Games, and Aristocrat.
Sportsbook
Maine legalised retail sports betting through a 2021 referendum and Oxford Casino launched its sportsbook in November 2023 in partnership with Rush Street Interactive. The 24-hour sportsbook handles wagering on professional and college sports across the major American leagues and beyond. It’s modest, but it does the job.
Rewards Club
The Oxford Rewards Loyalty Club is free to join and earns points on all tracked gaming play, converting toward freeplay and dining credits at OX Pub.
As a Churchill Downs Incorporated property, the rewards structure also connects to the wider CDI network, which now includes a growing portfolio of gaming destinations across the country. That is probably a reason to join, but only if you visit other CDI properties too. It doesn’t cover Las Vegas, by the way, which is why I didn’t bother.
Hotel Review
The 107-room hotel sits directly connected to the casino, making it convenient for guests who want to roll out of bed and onto the gaming floor without any complications. At four stories it is a modest operation (note the word ‘modest’ comes up a lot when discussing Oxford Casino) rather than a resort tower, but the rooms are nice enough.
Rooms
Standard rooms and suites are available, with the suites adding additional living space for guests who want room to breathe and, like the casino, the hotel is non-smoking throughout.
Amenities include flat-screen TVs, WiFi, and in-room safes. The hotel's connection to the casino means you can hear the ambient floor noise in some rooms, like mine, which is worth knowing if you're a light sleeper and planning to retire early. I didn’t mind it because I find the muffled hum of a casino oddly soothing. I should maybe talk to someone about that.
Anyway, there isn’t really much to write home about regarding the rooms. They are nice, they do the job of providing a no-frills base. I wouldn’t arrive with resort-level expectations of Oxford Casino though generally.
Where to Eat
The term modest also applies to the Oxford Casino dining options too. In fact, ‘options’ (plural) is even stretching it a little.
| Restaurant | Type | General Price |
|---|---|---|
| OX Pub | Pub-style American comfort food, Maine-inspired burgers, weekly specials, craft beer focus, full bar, Maine and New England beers | $$ |
| Oxford Express | 24-hour grab-and-go, quick bites, snacks | $ |
OX Pub is the only real choice for a sit-down meal and does what a good pub restaurant in this region should: straightforward American comfort food executed well, with a craft beer menu that takes the Maine and New England brewing scene seriously.
It's not trying to be a fine dining destination and is better for the absence of that ambition. The weekly specials give regulars a reason to keep returning.
Meanwhile, Oxford Express handles the around-the-clock sustenance requirement for late-night gamblers and early risers.
Pool and Spa
Oxford Casino Hotel does not have an on-site spa or pool. The Oxford County area more than compensates with its outdoor activities though that include Sabbathday Lake, Sebago Lake State Park, the Pleasant Mountain ski area, and the hiking trails through western Maine's hill country – all of which are all within comfortable reach.
For guests who want a more resort-complete experience, the property is honest about what it is, and more importantly what it is not.
Entertainment
Guess what the entertainment offering is at Oxford Casino Hotel? Yes, it’s modest, certainly relative to larger casino resorts. There are occasional live acts in the bar, but I wouldn’t bank on it.
The draw here is the gaming itself, the rural Maine setting, and the proximity to the outdoor recreation that makes western Maine worth visiting regardless of whether you're a casino guest.
Verdict
Oxford Casino Hotel is a well-run regional casino that knows what it is and does it consistently well. The smoke-free floor is a genuine nice touch in my opinion, although cramming in the slot machines does negate its benefit slightly for me.
However, the 970 slots and 28 tables give casual and regular players enough variety across a manageable floor, so there does have to be a bit of give and take here I think.
The 107-room hotel is clean and convenient. OX Pub is a proper pub. And the western Maine location, 40 minutes from Portland and an easy drive from the New Hampshire border, puts it within reach of a regional audience that has very limited alternatives.
Meet The Author
Experience
Lynsey is a regular Las Vegas visitor and a keen slots and roulette player. As well as significant experience as a writer in the iGaming and gambling industries as an expert reviewer and journalist, Lynsey is one half of the popular Las Vegas YouTube Channel and Podcast 'Begas Vaby’. When she is not in Las Vegas or wishing she was in Las Vegas, Lynsey can usually be found pursuing her other two main interests of sports and theatre.
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