Slots nearly installed for second casino in Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Slot machines are almost fully installed and table games have been delivered to Ohio's second casino, scheduled to open in late May in Toledo.

That was among updates heard by Ohio regulators Wednesday in Columbus as the state prepares for the openings of four voter-approved casinos in the next year or so.

Jeffrey Goodman, the vice president of casino operations for Hollywood Casino Toledo, told the Ohio Casino Control Commission that table games should be set up by mid-month, and that slots would be ready for regulators to test around then, too.

More than 510 table and poker dealers have been trained, Goodman said, and surveillance equipment is now installed.

The casino is aiming to hold its grand opening May 29, but that date is pending approval from commission. Cleveland's casino is slated to open about two weeks earlier. Voters in 2009 also approved casinos in Cincinnati and Columbus.

The commission on Wednesday reviewed the final steps leading up to the openings.

Each casino must do a test run several days before their grand openings, so that state regulators can get a simulated look at what a typical day might be like at the facilities.