A Complete Look: Vernon Downs Casino Hotel Review

Located near Syracuse in Central Upstate New York, Vernon Downs Casino Hotel offers ample gambling, a racetrack and beautiful hotel facilities. With decades of history as a racetrack, the establishment has undergone several renovations to help create the top-of-the-line racino that exists today. There is a little bit of everything in this Vernon Downs casino review!

This page will cover all of the information you need to plan your trip, including entertainment and dining possibilities, what Vernon Downs Casino Hotel games are offered, and more about the casino s popular live and simulcast harness-racing options. If you have any specific questions, you can find out the answers to commonly asked questions by visiting our frequently asked questions section now.

Vernon Downs Casino Hotel: What to Expect

Despite its storied history as a famed harness racing track, Vernon Downs faced some financial difficulty in the early 2000s. It was brought back to life by racing enthusiast Jeffrey Gural, who invested in revitalizing the property. What you ll experience now is Gural s vision: state-of-the-art slots and electronic table games alongside the famous track, plus decadent dining and hotel experiences.

The Games Available at Vernon Downs Casino

Vernon Downs Casino Hotel began as a racetrack but Jeffrey Gural s plans expanded the facilities in 2006. The $4 million expansion brought in 512 VLT games. They boast some of the hottest games in town, featuring progressives, video poker and more, ranging from 1 cents to $5.00 denominations.

Though Vernon Downs Casino Hotel has plentiful games, featuring top-notch new slots and old favorites, across its casino floor, its Class II license means it cannot offer live table games at the moment. So far, efforts to get such a license have been struck down, but if that changes, we will update this review accordingly.

Find A Complete List of Vernon Downs Games Here:

  • Video Poker
  • Slot Machines

Vernon Downs Casino Hotel is a fine choice for fans of harness racing and gambling. Players looking for Las Vegas-style live table games may want to visit the nearby Turning Stone Casino Resort. No matter where you play in NY, New York States Gaming Commission has you covered when it comes to fair play and accurate payouts.

Promotions Found at the Casino

Vernon Downs Casino Hotel promises has many fabulous reward deals and promotions to keep you entertained and wanting to return. These change from month to month so the best way to find out what is happening during your visit, see their official promotions page.

The site currently advertises many different promotions. Some examples include: $75,000 Zoom Ball hot seats, $21,000 cash drawings, American Tourister luggage giveaway, points for free play, specials for seniors, and, of course, up to $100 match for the losses of new members of their loyalty scheme . As we said, make sure to check their page to see what deals and contests are happening during your visit!

Vernon Rewards Club

Vernon Downs Casino Hotel offers its frequent players an easy way to rack up points and earn rewards while enjoying their favorite games in the form of their membership club, Vernon Rewards. Signing up for a card is free and easy, just requiring a valid form of ID. The casino will match your losses up to $100 on the first day of your membership. Once earned, points can be redeemed for lots of different rewards, including VIP concerts, invites to tournaments, parties, and lots of perks at the various facilities on premises.

Off to the Races: Horse Racing

As previously stated, Vernon Downs began as a harness racetrack course in the 1950s. It enjoyed many years of success but became less financially viable toward the end of the century. Thankfully for today s visitors, the track is back and thriving. Many of the racing facilities were also remodelled with Jeff Gural s 2006 revitalization of the property. Today you can bet on live and simulcast harness races from the comfort of the casino.

Non-Gambling Related Features of the Casino

Though Vernon Downs Casino Hotel isn t as extensive as some other casino resorts, it does still offer plenty of fun for visitors outside of the casino floor. It is known for its many dining and bar options, which include the Champions and Gold Cup Buffets, Triple 777 Cafe, Mr. G s Food and Spirits, Ring Eyed Pete s Bar, Miracle Mile Restaurant and Trackside Concessions, for a quick snack. Read on for more about the hotel facilities and entertainment options on-site.

Hotel: Gaming and Luxury Combined

Vernon Downs Casino Hotel features beautiful smoke-free accommodations, in the form of spacious suites and comfortable guest rooms. The hotel has access to all of the delicious aforementioned dining and easy access to both casino and racetrack. For families, there is plenty to do inside, include fun at the indoor Kid Zone, bounce houses (during racing season), indoor pool and hot tub, plus an arcade.

Hotel Rooms Eg. 700+ Across Four Hotels
Price per Night: Eg. $50 $300
Pool: Heated Pool & Whirlpool
Room Service: Not Available
Gym/Fitness Studio: Available
Address: 4229 Stuhlman Rd, Vernon, NY 13476

In addition to comfortable rooms, the hotel offers many spaces for business events and meetings. Other amenities include complimentary continental breakfast, wifi, a fitness center, free parking, and an indoor heated pool and whirlpool. It is also located close tolocal attractions such as the Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame, Adirondack Scenic Railroad, Fort Stanwix, Rome Capitol Theatre and the Saranac Brewery.

Entertainment at Vernon Downs Casino Hotel

Vernon Downs Casino Hotel offers several great options for weekend entertainment. Their venue, the stage at Ring Eyed Pete s Bar, hosts an open mic each Thursday for local talent. The same stage also features musicians from near and far to keep you dancing all weekend long. The new Art Event Center has been home to acts such as Gretchen Wilson, Bruce Springsteen and Pat Benatar. If you d like to stay up to date on current events at Vernon Downs visit its official events calendar.

General Company Info

Vernon Downs has a long history, having opened its doors as a racetrack in the 50s. After some ups and downs, it was acquired by racing enthusiast Jeffrey Gural, who invested $4 million into the property to open the casino by 2006. The renovations have been a success, and perhaps more will follow to add even more fun and gameplay in the future.

Owner: Jeffrey Gural
Phone Number: (877) 888-3766
Gaming License Class: Class II
Number of Games: 512
Hours: 9 am 2 am
Opened: 2006
Website: www.vernondowns.com
Social Media: Facebook

Vernon Downs Casino Hotel is not the only property that Jeffrey Gural has had a hand in revamping. With the help of other partners, he also led the renovation of Tioga Downs Casino Resort in the beautiful Southern Tier region. Like Vernon Downs, Tioga Downs opened as a racetrack, and continues to offer thoroughbred racing alongside a plethora of casino games.

Final Thoughts: Harness the Fun of this Racino

There is

so much to joy at this gem in Central Upstate New York. Between live and simulcast harness racing, 512 VLTs, a fully-equipped hotel, plentiful dining and great entertainment options, there s little else to ask for from this casino resort. If you would like to check out other casinos in New York, you can check our casinos in New York page for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

We hope this Vernon Downs Casino Hotel review has been helpful. While we try to be as thorough as possible in our reviews, sometimes additional questions arise, so we have compiled some of the most common questions and answers below.

What is the legal age to play at the casino?

The legal age to play at Vernon Downs Casino Hotel is 18 years of age.

Can I play card and table games at Vernon Downs casino?

No, the casino does not offer live table games at this time. However, you can enjoy plenty of slot and video poker machines If the gaming license status changes, we will update this page accordingly.

Is there sports betting at Vernon Downs?

No, the casino does not offer sports betting at this time. If that changes, we will update this page accordingly. For now, customers must tick to horse race betting.

Is there a hotel at the Vernon Downs Casino Resort?

Yes, Vernon Downs has a beautiful hotel on-site, with easy access to both casino and racetrack, and many fine amenities. There are also hotels in the surrounding areas.

What kind of races are available at Vernon Downs Casino Hotel?

The racetrack at Vernon Downs features live harness races, as well as simulcast races, to wager on. These can be enjoyed while playing any one of the racino's numerous VLT machines.

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