Hollywood Casino Columbus hotel has opened after a more than $100 million investment, giving the casino an on-site lodging option and adding new event space on the city’s West Side.
The hotel project, first announced in October 2022, was completed after years of planning and construction. Casino officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the expansion, though the supplied information did not include the full calendar date for the ceremony or first guest check-ins.
West Side Columbus Casino Hotel Adds Jobs
Rick Skinner, vice president and general manager of Hollywood Casino Columbus, said the hotel will help the casino reach visitors beyond the local market, including travelers from Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.
Skinner said the property had been limited without on-site lodging and that the new hotel creates more than 150 new jobs and positions. He described the project as a potential spark for economic growth in the surrounding area.
Hilltop Area Could See More Visitor Traffic
The hotel is located in the Hilltop neighborhood, where local stakeholders say new tourism and business activity could support nearby businesses and improve perceptions of the West Side community.
Clifton Sparrow, a marketing executive with iHeartRadio, said the hotel could bring more attention to the area’s history while attracting tourists who want to visit the casino, stay in Columbus and use the property for business travel.
New Event Space Targets Conferences and Tourism
Casino leaders said the expansion is not limited to gaming. The hotel also adds meeting, conference and event space, giving Hollywood Casino Columbus a stronger position in the regional business travel market.
Sparrow said the project could be a “game changer” for conferences and tourism, with nearby businesses likely to benefit from increased visitor traffic.
The opening weekend includes an outdoor grand opening celebration featuring Bret Michaels. For Columbus’ West Side, the larger significance is whether the hotel can turn casino traffic into broader economic activity for Hilltop-area businesses.
