Meadowlands Racetrack and Casino Guide and Review
Located in Pittsburgh, the Meadowlands Racetrack and Casino presents a mixed bag of experiences for its patrons, ranging from enthusiastic praise to significant concerns about recent changes. As a primary casino establishment, it aims to provide a comprehensive gaming and entertainment experience, yet its execution seems to vary for different visitors.
The Highs: What Meadowlands Excels At ✨
- Gaming Variety: Many reviewers highlight the extensive selection of games. Beyond the ubiquitous slot machines, the casino boasts a substantial number of gaming tables, catering to various preferences. The unique integration of live horse racing, viewable both inside and outside the casino, adds a distinctive dimension that sets it apart from typical casinos.
- Player Perks: For those engaged in table games, the availability of free drinks is a definite plus. One reviewer even suggested that the Return-to-Player (RTP) percentages seem higher here compared to other Pittsburgh-area casinos, and that their loyalty rewards program is genuinely fair and rewarding.
- Cleanliness and Atmosphere: Despite smoking being permitted inside, the facility is generally described as clean and, notably, doesn't always carry a strong smoke odor, indicating good ventilation. During midweek visits, it can also be pleasantly uncrowded.
- Dining Options: The casino houses five restaurants, offering a variety of food venues for visitors to choose from, although not all might be open simultaneously, particularly during off-peak hours.
Areas for Improvement: Where Meadowlands Falls Short 😕
While the Meadowlands offers notable attractions, several points of concern have emerged, particularly from more recent reviews:
- Newcomer Experience: A recurring complaint is the lack of clear guidance for first-time visitors. Information on how slot machines operate, where to obtain money or vouchers, and general navigation within the casino can be confusing. This can lead to frustration and even lost money for those unfamiliar with the setup.
- Inconsistent Customer Service: While some found the staff friendly and helpful, others reported less than ideal interactions, specifically citing cashier staff being unfriendly and preoccupied amongst themselves. Drink service on the gaming floor was also highlighted as being "non-existent" by one long-term patron, requiring self-service at bars, often with limited selections.
- Declining Player Rewards and Payouts: This is a significant point of contention. A once-loyal patron expressed severe disappointment with the casino's recent changes, noting a complete loss of previously earned tier status despite substantial past spending. The accumulation of table game points was deemed "crap," with very few points awarded even after significant buy-ins without cashing out. Slot machines were described as "tight" with "abysmal" bonuses, leading to a perception that the gaming experience has become less fun and less rewarding overall.
- Slot Variety: While overall gaming variety is praised, some feedback indicates a lack of diversity among the slot machines themselves, with many being "the same games as other local casinos."
- Overall Decline in Atmosphere: The combination of poor service, tightened machines, and perceived unfair reward systems has led some to feel the place has "gone downhill," resulting in a noticeably emptier gaming floor, even on what should be busier days.
Final Thoughts ⚖️
Meadowlands Racetrack and Casino presents a duality of experiences. For some, it remains a top choice in the Pittsburgh area, praised for its variety, potential for better payouts, and solid reward program. However, for others, particularly those who have been frequenting the establishment for a longer period, recent changes in player rewards, a perceived tightening of machines, and inconsistent service have led to significant dissatisfaction and a feeling that the casino has "gone downhill."
If you're a newcomer, be prepared to ask questions to navigate the system effectively. If you're a returning high-tier player, it might be wise to manage your expectations regarding your past loyalty status and points. The racetrack component certainly adds unique appeal, but for pure casino enthusiasts, the recent shift in player experience might warrant exploring other options in the region.
One of the best casinos in the area in my personal opinion 🥰 free drinks if you’re playing at the tables - huge variety of games - RTP seems higher than other places in the Pittsburgh area too 💸 plus their rewards are actually fair and rewarding unlike others I’ve been to :)
Unclear to new comers, no real directions on how the machines work, where to get money or vouchers, where to go for certain areas of casino. Friendly staff Were able to help us. Make sure you grab the free drink provided, we didn’t know about it til we were leaving. You are able to watch the horse races either inside the casino or outside. Lots of slots machines (no variety) with no clear directions on how to use them. Lost some money due to not knowing how to operate machine. Clean casino but people are able to smoke and drink inside so just be mindful.. 5 restaurants inside the casino.
It's one of several casinos we visited on this trip. Not all food venues were open, but the place wasn't overly crowded, either (midweek). Smoking is permitted, but the place didn't smell like it. You probably won't win any huge jackpots, but you can walk away a winner, depending on your wagers and the computerized system of the slots. Many gaming tables, but I didn't play any here this time.
Cashier staff wasn't very friendly not even a hello or thank you. Lot of talking among each other with people in line. Gaming floor wasn't bad. Lot of the same games as other local casinos.
This place has straight up gone downhill. Updating my 4 star review down to 2 star.We've always stopped here on our way to or from the airport in the past and I was at Preferred level as of last year and getting some good free play offers, rooms at the Hyatt, had a host and everything, but we've been unable to return for a visit since spring of last year and about mid year last year all comms from my host and through mailers stopped.We're back in the area and stopped by yesterday. Was surprised to find I was starting over at the beginning of the tier ladder when I picked up my players card. For what I've dropped at this place over the past few years I should have a star on the walk of shame, but instead I'm starting over on the tier ladder. Seems there's little grace given to those who visit infrequently regardless of how much they spend during their infrequent stops, even if they've achieved an elevated tier status in the past.After a night of mixed table and slot play, I checked my account this morning to find I'm at not even at Advantage yet, which really surprised me because it said I only needed 1000 tier points to qualify for Advantage and I cycled way more than that through tables and machines.When I checked the activity to see why I was given so few points, I was surprised to see that after several buy-ins at the craps table, with nothing ever taken away, I was given only 221 table points, which made zero sense since I bought in for over 4x that much in total and never walked away with any chips. Table point ratings here are crap! And I was even placing small bets for the dealers in hopes of keeping them engaged on what was a slow night. Now I see why it was so slow. We've never seen the place so empty, even on a Tuesday. If this is the way they treat people, I can see why they're not coming back. We most likely won't be stopping on our way out this time. We'll be giving the casino in Greensburg a try instead.Oh and drink service was non-existent. Had to get all my own drinks and even those were tough to get from the one open bar. Found that I could get drinks in the eatery so started going their instead of waiting for the bartender to serve me at the main bar. Selection of the eatery stunk. No Yuengling so had to settle for Miller Lite.Overall I'm sorry we stopped. The machines were tight which I normally don't complain about because I don't expect to win when gambling, but it should at least be fun. Very few bonuses on slots and had more than one $1.64 bonus result on a $4-$5 spin. Just abysmal. But guess they gotta ripoff the few people who still patronize the place to keep the lights on. Again, sorry we stopped by and guess there's no reason to return since I earned a whopping $3.64 in Penn Cash lol. What a joke...