Ohio's 1st casino shaping up; next comes the slots

CLEVELAND (AP) — Ohio’s first casino is emerging from a former department store, with kitchen equipment and carpet installed, lighting fixtures ready and the art deco surroundings awaiting slot machines and game tables.

Backers of the Horseshoe Cleveland casino showed off the location today and said the installation of slot machines will begin next week.

Principal Jeff Cohen with Rock Gaming says the casino will be ready for opening day during the week of May 14.

Toledo’s casino will open two weeks later. Casinos also are planned in Cincinnati and Columbus.

The Cleveland casino will be housed in the former Higbee department store in the heart of the city. Six-hundred construction workers are currently involved in the project and the casino will employ 1,600 people.