Fairmount Park Casino & Racing Guide and Review
Fairmount Park Casino & Racing in St. Louis offers a unique blend of live horse racing excitement and a burgeoning casino experience. Recent upgrades and the addition of a "mini casino" have transformed the venue, aiming to provide an all-day entertainment option for visitors.
The Thrill of Horse Racing 🏇
For fans of the track, Fairmount Park delivers an authentic horse racing experience. Guests consistently praise the opportunity to watch and bet on live horse races, describing the horses as "beautiful" and the atmosphere as "fun."
- Live races are held on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 1:30 PM.
- There is no admission fee, making it an accessible outing for all ages.
- It's a family-friendly venue, as children are allowed to accompany adults.
- Wagers for horse racing are cash only.
- Visitors can easily spend an entire day enjoying the races and the surrounding environment.
The Casino Experience: A Work in Progress? 🎲
The recently opened casino section has added another dimension to Fairmount Park. While generally viewed as a positive addition by many, some aspects of the casino warrant attention.
Games & Variety:
- The casino is described as a "mini casino," indicating its more compact size compared to larger resorts.
- It features electronic versions of popular table games such as craps, blackjack (BJ), and roulette.
- A variety of slot machines are available, though some users note a limited selection.
- Traditional table games with live dealers are not currently offered.
- There are no TVs yet for watching sports within the casino area.
Layout & Amenities:
- Some visitors find the casino floor to be cramped, making navigation between machines challenging.
- Seating is primarily limited to individual slot machines; there are no separate lounge areas for sitting within the main casino floor itself, aside from a new "man cave" lounge mentioned by one reviewer which seems to be a separate area.
Policies & Service:
- A notable point of feedback is the casino's no-photo policy, which can lead to staff intervention if violated.
- Service quality appears inconsistent; while some staff are friendly, others have been described as rude or uncommunicative, particularly regarding repeated ID checks.
- Unlike many casinos, Fairmount Park Casino does not offer free soda, and paid sodas do not come with refills.
Food & Facilities 🍔🍕
When it comes to dining, Fairmount Park offers casual and convenient options:
- Food selections include classic American fare such as sandwiches, hot dogs, burgers, and pizza.
- Food orders can be self-serve, which reviewers note speeds up the process significantly.
Parking is ample, though visitors should be prepared for a significant walk from their parking spot to the venue's entrance.
Overall Impressions & Tips for Visitors ✨
Fairmount Park Casino & Racing has undergone significant changes, particularly with the addition of its casino facilities. It's a great spot for those looking for a casual day out enjoying horse racing and a smaller-scale casino experience. For those accustomed to larger, full-service casinos, it's important to set expectations accordingly, especially regarding table games, amenities, and certain policies.
Consider these points before your visit:
- Cash is king for wagers: Be sure to bring cash for betting on races.
- Expect a walk: The parking lot is large, so be prepared for some walking.
- Casino expectations: It's a "mini casino" with electronic games, not live dealers or extensive sports viewing options.
- Beverages: Be prepared to pay for drinks, and refills are not standard.
- Photo policy: Be aware that photos might not be allowed inside the casino area.
Fun place to watch live horse races. Lots of parking however be prepared to walk a lot. No admission fee and children are allowed. Super causal and sandwiches, hot dogs, burgers, and pizza offered. Food orders can be self-serve, and food arrives so much faster. Wages are cash only.
Finally have a mini casino along with horse racing on Tuesday and Saturday at 1:30pm. No table games but they do have electronic craps, BJ, and roulette. Pictures attached are from a Tuesday during their “horse hooky”
First time at Fairmont Park. Had so much fun cheering on the horses we bet on. The horses were so beautiful. Had a hamburger and my mom had a hot dog and some chips.We also enjoyed some time in the casino. We spent all day there and had a wonderful time.
This place has really change since we started going back in the day now adding lots of new stuff lots of upgrades and new areas making it even More fun , can’t wait till April 22nd I hear is the eta for the casino to open i hope they’ll have a hotel pool spa and resort there to bring so local and close will be a nice weekend get away if they do . Fyi check out my pic in the new lounge area this is my all time favorite place to be when I go feels like my own man cave with all my buddy’s just bigger and mores tvs and better service then home lol
Went to the casino portion. The inside is pretty cramped, having to bump into others while trying to access other machines. Not much variety in the slots. No table games as of yet at least. No tvs as of yet to watch any sports. No places to sit besides at the individual slots. Was IDed numerous times to the point where we had to question why if initial security checked us through. "We don't talk to them" was the staff's response. Seems odd they wouldn't communicate. But I understand doing your job. Staff was mostly rude, minus a couple of nice people. They stare you down while you place your bets. This was the first casino I've been to where they don't offer free soda. Paying for 1 soda does not get you any refills either. When wanting to take a group photo, we were asked to leave the building due to a no photo policy. That's fine. Our party leaves the building and then half of the party wants to re-enter. We didn't know the protocol, but staff asked "are you going to keep coming in and out like that". Just a bunch of small things that totaled to overall dissatisfaction.