Presque Isle Downs & Casino is open all year for casino and racetrack betting. The Presque Isle is owned by Churchill Downs and is located in Erie, Pennsylvania, 90 minutes east of Cleveland, 90 minutes west of Buffalo, and two hours north of Pittsburgh. Presque Isle’s retail BetAmerica sportsbook launched in the summer of 2019.
Churchill Downs and Presque Isle also offer online betting in Pennsylvania under the BetAmerica brand. The BetAmerica sportsbook launched in Pennsylvania in December 2019, with the online gambling following in January 2020, just right for the Super Bowl.
About Presque Isle Downs Casino
Churchill Downs Inc. is a relative newcomer to Pennsylvania. It is known best for horse racing and its world-renowned track in Louisville, Kentucky. It is where the iconic Kentucky Derby takes place.
CDI entered Pennsylvania by managing Lady Luck Nemacolin in Farmington, PA, and purchasing Presque Isle Downs in August 2018. The casino signed both agreements with Eldorado Resorts, which has since been merged with Caesars online casino PA.
Through a collaboration with Golden Nugget Atlantic City, Churchill also offers BetAmerica sports betting and online casino goods in New Jersey.
Churchill initially collaborated with new partnership SBTech to power its BetAmerica online sports betting and casinos. But that is about to change. Churchill Downs appears to be moving its casino platforms to GAN, to Kambi powering its online Presque Isle sportsbook. The BetAmerica brand is still present.
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Presque Isle Downs Online Casino Overview
There are no hotels on the Presque Isle Casino property, but several are within a half mile. While the casino, poker room, and racetrack provide plenty of entertainment, guests who spend the night in a hotel nearby can visit the casino with other activities available.
For example, Presque Isle Downs and Casino is close to the Millcreek Mall and the Station Dinner Theater. Furthermore, two water parks, Splash Lounge and Waldameer Park and Water World, as well as the Presque Isle Casino Erie PA Zoo and Presque Isle State Park, provide entertainment for the entire family.
Contrary to the other five racinos currently operational in Pennsylvania, Presque Isle was built first as a racetrack and then later added as a casino. The casino opened on February 28, 2007. Still, Presque Isle Downs is a thoroughbred racetrack with legal Pennsylvania horse racing. It was not inaugurated until September 2, 2007, substituting another previously unsuccessful racetrack near Erie Downs. Initially, the casino only had Presque Isle Casino slot machines. Still, table games were added in 2010, after the legalization of table games throughout Pennsylvania casinos.
Presque Isle Casino is much smaller than the other casino sites, with only 1,600 slot machines and 42 table games. A small poker room is also available. Despite being the only casino in Erie, Pennsylvania, it has been losing business in the past few years due to rivalries with Ohio casinos.
Churchill Downs Inc. negotiated the purchase of Presque Isle Downs in March 2018. PI is the Kentucky-based company’s only Pennsylvania casino venture, aside from a management stake in Lady Luck Nemacolin.
Casino Facilities
At the Presque Isle property, there are numerous casino amenities to enjoy.
Visit one of their four lounges:
- The Downs Clubhouse and Lounge
- The Speakeasy Saloon
- The Trackside Bar
- Zelda’s
Downs Clubhouse and Lounge
The Downs Clubhouse and Lounge offers a stunning year-round look at the racetrack and excellent casual dining. Every day until 2 a.m., the lounge serves your favorite spirits. Live entertainment is open on Friday and Saturday nights.
Racing Simulcast
Simulcast racing was launched in July 2007, with Presque Isle Downs organizing its first 25-day live meet that September. The Trackside Bar, situated on the first floor, revealed a state-of-the-art teletheater with countless betting stations for both live and simulcast fans on May 3, 2008. In between Downs Clubhouse and the Trackside Bar, there are more than 200 flat-screen TVs. As a result, United States and Canadian racing fans can watch and bet money on the best races. Our 100-day live race meet takes place from May to September.
Sensory 3
The Sensory 3, our new bar, grille, and ultra lounge, is situated at the center of the casino.
It is open from 5 p.m. every Wednesday and Thursday. Fridays and Saturdays from 5 p.m. to close to 2 a.m. The Ultra Lounge opens from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. every Friday and Saturday. Players can make reservations by calling 814-866-8359.
Lit’l Al’s
If you want a quick bite to eat, stop by Lit’l Al’s, located in the Elevator Lobby right next to the casino floor, serving hot dogs, pizza, and other items.
Casino Games at Presque Isle Downs
Although this casino isn’t quite big as some Pennsylvania casinos, visitors on TripAdvisor and many other sites describe it as a friendly casino with a good variety of games. However, there are merely a few table games compared to the numerous slots. As a result, many retirees visit the casino to play the slots.
The Presque Isle Casino has 1,580 slot machines. Frequent slot players will recognize many familiar favorites. Yet, there are also relatively new slots for trying something new. Furthermore, there are numerous progressive slots in which some lucky players can win massive jackpots while spending little money.
This casino has only 42 table games, so that you won’t have many different versions. Still, you will find the most popular games. Presque Isle Casino players will have to settle for basic roulette. Basic roulette is divided into two types: American roulette and European roulette. Blackjack is an understandably popular game at Presque Isle Casino.
Rewards Program at Players Club Presque Isle Downs
Presque Isle Downs & Casino offers a loyalty rewards program called the Presque Isle Downs Players Club. Membership is free, and if you don’t already have one, you can get one at the casino’s players club booth. All of your play counts toward earning points toward rewards, so insert your card when playing slots and show it when trying to play table games or putting in horse racing bets.
Gamblers can redeem their accumulated points for drinks and food anywhere at Presque Isle Downs & Casino restaurant, merchandise at the gift shop, or free play. After they are earned, reward dollars are valid for an entire year.
Tier points are also granted based on performance and are employed to determine a player’s tier placement. Based on their play, players at all levels needed to gain dollars and obtain deals in the mail.
