CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — Competition from other casinos is prompting Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races toward new development. The casino has announced plans to add a 1,200-seat performance hall at the facility in Jefferson County.
“Competition has continued to increase in our market place,” Hollywood Casino General Manager Al Britton said Tuesday on MetroNews Talkline. “We want to continue to invest in West Virginia and in Charles Town in a way that will add some incremental business.”
The facility will be located next to the casino with its own outside entrance. Britton said they want the facility as an added amenity to their resort, but also to attract those who might buy a ticket just to see a concert or event at the hall. Britton said they will be able to add musical acts of any genre, but also bring in other events depending on what their customers want to see. They are presently polling to see what kinds of acts will sell best and would also consider things like boxing as an added attraction.
New casinos in the Baltimore area are starting to draw from Maryland and Northern Virginia which are two key areas for Charles Town’s customers.
“This is something we’ve prepared for for years,” Britton said. “This isn’t something that took us by surprise and we’re more than ready to compete.”
The new performance hall should be done and in operation by this summer.