Cleveland-area racino on target to open in April

Associated Press

NORTH RANDALL

Renovations are moving along at a suburban Cleveland horse track that’s adding a new way to gamble.

The Akron Beacon Journal reports that Thistledown Racino is set to open in early April with more than 1,000 video-lottery terminals that function like slot machines.

Rock Ohio Caesars is spending $88 million on the renovations at the track in North Randall, southeast of Cleveland.

The gaming floor will have specialty restaurants, a food court, bar and a nightlife area with entertainment.

One racino in the state — at Scioto Downs in Columbus — already is operating. Six others are in various stages of licensing and construction.

An anti-gambling group is challenging Ohio Gov. John Kasich’s authority to allow the slotslike video-lottery terminals at the state’s seven horse-racing tracks.