Delaware Park Casino breaks ground on new outdoor gaming 10,000-square-foot patio

Delaware Park Casino in Wilmington is expanding its gaming offerings with a new outdoor gaming patio set to open next spring. The 10,000-square-foot patio, located trackside to the casino's one-mile horse racing oval, will house over 250 of the latest slot machines in an open-air environment, providing an option for guests who wish to gamble while smoking a cigarette or cigar.

This new addition follows the implementation of Delaware's Clean Indoor Air Act in November 2022, which prohibits tobacco use inside most workplaces, including casinos. The outdoor patio will allow guests to continue smoking while playing, a feature President and General Manager Terry Glebocki believes will enhance customer satisfaction.

“We look forward to offering Delaware’s largest outdoor slot patio. This spacious new patio is designed with our guests in mind. They will soon be able to enjoy the outdoors while playing the area’s best selection of slots, all without compromising comfort or excitement,” Glebocki told Casino.org.

Delaware Park’s outdoor gaming expansion comes as part of a $5 million investment in the property, designed to create a year-round climate-controlled space. The new patio follows a $10 million renovation of the casino floor, which refreshed the facility with brighter, trendier interiors and upgraded slot machines. 

This makeover also included the addition of the "Link Lounge," featuring popular games like Buffalo Link and Dragon Link, along with a high-limit room and a revamped Player Rewards Club. These improvements allow the casino to resume 24/7 operations for the first time since the pandemic.

Delaware Park continues to be a leading player in the state’s casino market. During Delaware’s fiscal year 2024, which ended in June, the casino generated nearly $168.6 million in slot machine revenue from the $1.97 billion wagered. An additional $25.1 million was earned from table games.

Delaware Park operates around 1,900 slot-like video lottery terminals (VLTs) and 44 live dealer table games. The casino retains approximately 43% of its slot revenue and 80% of its table game earnings.

In 2021, Delaware Park was acquired by a partnership between Canadian private equity firm Clairvest and San Francisco-based Rubico Gaming, LLC, for $90 million. Rubico Gaming is led by Thomas Benninger, a former Caesars board member with extensive experience in the gaming industry. Clairvest’s portfolio includes notable gaming and racing investments such as the Meadowlands in New Jersey, Centaur Gaming, and Rush Street Gaming.

While the casino and racetrack were included in the acquisition, the nearby White Clay Creek Country Club was not part of the deal. The Rickman family continues to own the 18-hole championship golf course, which is managed by Kemper Sports.