Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races Review for March 2026

Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races offers a solid gaming and entertainment experience that's surprisingly accessible for anyone in the D.C. or Baltimore metro areas.

Located in the scenic hills of West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle, it's less than an hour from both Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, making it a convenient getaway from the city. What sets this place apart is that it's a racino, combining full casino gaming with live thoroughbred racing.

The gaming floor features thousands of slot machines, a comprehensive selection of table games, a dedicated poker room, and a modern sportsbook. With multiple dining options and regular live entertainment at the Event Center, there's plenty to keep visitors engaged whether you're there for an evening or making a weekend of it.

Let’s take a much closer look to see if it’s one you should visit too.

Honestly, one of my favorite things about this place is how easy it is to get to. The address is 750 Hollywood Drive in Charles Town, WV 25414, super close to Harpers Ferry. From D.C., it takes anywhere from an hour to maybe an hour twenty depending on traffic. Same deal from Baltimore. So if you live in either of those areas, it's close enough that you can just decide to go on a whim or for a day or evening out.

The drive itself is actually really nice. You go through scenic routes on US-340, US-15, or WV-9, and the countryside views make it feel less like you're just driving to a casino and more like you're actually going on a trip.. When you get there, parking is super easy. They've got tons of free spots including covered garages (there's an East and West one), regular lots, and accessible parking right near the doors. Usually getting in and out is no problem, though I imagine on race days or when there's a big show it probably gets more hectic.

Oh, and they've got The Inn at Charles Town right there on the property, so if you want to make a whole weekend of it, you totally can. It's far enough from the city that it feels like an actual getaway but close enough that it's not a major commitment.

Walking into the casino, you immediately notice the whole Hollywood theme they've got going on. There are old movie posters everywhere, film strip decorations and vintage theater vibes. It's kind of fun and nostalgic in a kitschy way. The whole space is pretty big and open, so I felt a sense of excitement when I first walked in. That said, it definitely feels more like a local casino than some fancy Vegas place. The lighting is kind of all over the place too. The Poker room is bright, but other areas feel dimmer and, honestly, a little dated. I've heard some people say certain spots look kind of grim, and I get what they mean.

The energy is definitely there though. You've got slot machines going off constantly, people talking, just general activity everywhere, especially on weekends or when there are races. It's got that no-nonsense casino energy that keeps things moving. Here's my biggest complaint though, and I know I'm not alone in this: the smoking. It's heavy. Like, the air gets really thick and smoky pretty much everywhere, even in areas that are supposedly non-smoking. If you're at all sensitive to cigarette smoke, it's going to bother you. The chairs are comfortable enough and the layout makes sense for wandering around, so that's good at least.

Overall, if you can deal with the smoke and don't need everything to look brand new and shiny, it's a comfortable enough spot for casual gaming. It's definitely got more of that unpretentious, lived-in vibe.

Table Games

The table games section has a good energy to it. There are about 74 tables spread around, and there's usually a decent crowd, especially at night or on weekends. I like the vibe here because people are actually talking to each other, there's dealer banter, you hear chips clacking around. The dealers I interacted with were pretty friendly and patient, which is great if you're still learning a game or just need a quick reminder of how something works. The chairs are standard casino fare but comfortable enough that you can sit for a while and play. 

One thing to watch out for: minimum bets start around $15 when it's slower, but they can jump up to $25 or higher when it gets busy. So just keep that in mind if you're trying to stretch your budget. The smoking issue is still present here too. The air around the tables can get pretty hazy, which definitely makes it less enjoyable if you're planning to play for a while and smoke bothers you. Some of the tables look a little worn, but nothing that actually affects the games.

Here's what they usually have (though not every game is always running, depends on how crowded it is):

• Blackjack
• Craps
• Roulette
• Three Card Poker
• Four Card Poker
• Mini-Baccarat
• Spanish 21
• Mississippi Stud
• High Card Flush
• Heads Up Hold'em
• Pai-Gow Poker
• Let It Ride

Good variety for casual players. Nothing too high-stakes or fancy, just solid table game action.

Slots

The slots take up most of the floor, and honestly, it's kind of overwhelming in a good way. They say there are over 1,900 machines, though I've seen it listed as closer to 1,700 active ones. Either way, there's almost too much to choose from. 

You've got everything from old-school spinning reel machines to super flashy modern video slots with wild themes and elaborate bonus rounds. There are progressive jackpot machines too if you're feeling lucky. Video poker players have plenty of options like Jacks or Better, Bonus Poker, Ultimate X, Super Times Pay. And if you want to just chill and play for a while without spending much, there are tons of penny slots and keno machines.

The layout gives you room to move around, which is nice. The chairs have some padding so you can sit comfortably for a while. The whole atmosphere is just constant noise and flashing lights and occasional celebrations when someone hits something big. It keeps the energy up for sure. They seem to rotate in new games pretty regularly too, so there's usually something new to try if you like to keep your slot play fresh. There’s also a high limit slots area for players who enjoy high denominations games. 

The smoking still drifts through pretty much the whole slots area, which again, can mess with your experience if you're sensitive to it. They try to have some non-smoking areas but it doesn't really work that well. 

Sportsbook and Racetrack

The sportsbook is actually really impressive. It's set up specifically for watching games and placing bets, and they've done a good job with it. You've got 30 huge TVs, this massive three-sided jumbotron where each side has a 250-inch LED screen, and a 48-foot viewing area with even more screens.

The seating setup is nice too with lounge chairs, high-top tables, and individual viewing spots, so you can relax there for hours without feeling cramped.

The racetrack part is what makes this a real racino. They run live thoroughbred racing on select days (usually Wednesday through Saturday evenings, races start around 7:00 PM), and they've got some bigger events like the Charles Town Classic and West Virginia Breeders Classics. You can watch the races live right from the sportsbook or head over to the grandstand. They also do year-round simulcast betting on horse and dog racing from other tracks. The actual track is a six-furlong oval, and when there are live races, the grandstand gets pretty packed with people cheering.

The whole vibe is just energetic. Multiple screens everywhere, crowds getting into it, it's a fun place to hang out whether you're betting on sports, horses, or both. The smoking issue still exists (it drifts over from the casino), but with all the screens and comfortable seating, it's still a solid spot for watching games.

Rewards Club

They use the PENN Play rewards system here. I signed up for free at one of the kiosks (you can also do it on their app), and it took like two minutes. You get an instant bonus when you sign up, usually somewhere between $10 and $50 in PENN Cash.

The way it works is you earn Tier Points and PENN Cash when you play. Slots earn faster than table games. You can use what you earn for free slot play, food at the restaurants, hotel rooms at The Inn, show tickets, or even some online stuff. The tiers start at basic Play level and go up to Elite and beyond, where you get monthly bonuses, VIP treatment and overall better perks.

The app is actually pretty good. It tracks everything for you, shows you what promos are happening, and it works across the casino, racetrack, restaurants, and entertainment. If you're someone who goes regularly, it's definitely worth signing up for.

The Inn at Charles Town is right on the property, which is super convenient. There's a free shuttle that takes you between the hotel and the casino/racetrack.

They've got 153 rooms and suites in total. Some of them have balconies that overlook the racetrack, which is a cool touch. The whole place is set in the Shenandoah Valley with the Blue Ridge Mountains around, so the scenery is really nice. You get free hot breakfast, modern amenities, and you're basically right next to all the action.

Rooms

I stayed in a King room with a trackside view, and honestly it was perfect for what I needed. After being on the casino floor for hours, it was nice to have somewhere comfortable and quiet to crash. The room was pretty spacious, probably around 350 square feet. The king bed was really comfortable with good linens and pillows, and I slept great. They've got blackout curtains which help, and the room is far enough from the main casino that you don't hear any of the noise.

There's a 42-inch TV on the wall, a desk with plenty of outlets (which I appreciated), a coffee maker for the morning, and the usual hotel stuff like iron, hair dryer, safe. The WiFi actually worked well and stayed connected the whole time.

The bathroom was probably my favorite part. Granite counters, the shower had really good water pressure, and the towels were nice and thick. The balcony was awesome too. Being able to step outside and catch a glimpse of the track added this fun element to the whole stay.

Look, it's not a luxury resort. The decor is pretty neutral and feels a little dated in some spots. The furniture is standard hotel stuff that could probably use an update. But everything was super clean, the AC worked perfectly, no weird smells or anything broken. For the convenience of being right there with a free shuttle, it was totally worth it instead of driving home late at night.

Where to Eat

Pool and Spa

So heads up, there's no pool or spa here. I was kind of hoping to relax in a pool or hot tub after being at the casino all day, but they just don't have those amenities. No indoor pool, outdoor pool, hot tub, sauna, or spa treatments like massages. The property is more focused on gaming and racing than being a full resort.

They do have a really nice fitness center though (it's included in the $10 daily amenity fee). It was clean and modern with good cardio equipment, weights and enough space to get a decent workout in.

Entertainment

The entertainment here was actually a nice surprise. It gave me something else to do besides just gambling and watching races. The Event Center is their main venue. It holds 1,500 people and has really good sound, lighting, and video screens. Most shows are 21+ and include concerts, comedy, tribute bands, that sort of thing. You can get tickets through Ticketmaster or the PENN Play app (sometimes you can even use your rewards points).

They rotate the lineup pretty regularly. When I was checking it out, they had a good mix: rock bands (Fitz and The Tantrums, Candlebox, Cheap Trick, Collective Soul), country acts (Gary Allan), comedy shows (Dude Dad, Anjelah Johnson-Reyes, Jay Leno & Arsenio Hall), and some specialty shows (Chippendales, One Night of Queen). I also noticed some free local live music happening in the sportsbook sometimes, which was a cool bonus.

It's not like a massive arena or anything, but the smaller size actually makes the shows feel more intimate and engaging. It's easy to grab dinner and then catch a show, or play some slots before heading over. Just check their website for the current schedule because it changes a lot and popular shows sell out fast.

If you're looking for a solid night out without overthinking it, Hollywood Casino Charles Town is a good bet. There are tons of slot machines, so whether you like penny slots or want to go a bit bigger, you'll find something. The food options are better than I expected, which is great when you don't want to leave the property between gaming sessions. The staff were friendly whenever I interacted with them, and the place is kept pretty clean.

My biggest issue, and I can't stress this enough, is smoking. It's absolutely everywhere on the gaming floor. Even the so-called non-smoking areas aren't really smoke-free. If you're at all sensitive to cigarette smoke like I am, it's going to seriously affect your experience. That's really my main complaint, but it's a big one for me.