Harrah's Philadelphia
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Gambling, Horse racing |
| Founded | September 10, 2006 in Chester, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Headquarters | Chester , United States |
| Owner | Vici Properties |
| Parent | Caesars Entertainment |
Harrah's Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack is a combined harness racing venue and casino (known as a racino) situated along the waterfront in Chester, Pennsylvania. The property is owned by Vici Properties and managed by Caesars Entertainment, offering both gaming and horse racing experiences.
History
Constructed on the grounds formerly occupied by Sun Shipbuilding, the racetrack commenced its inaugural harness racing season on September 10, 2006. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board issued Harrah's Chester its slots license on September 27, 2006, followed by approval of its permanent slot-machine gaming operator license in December of that year. The casino began operations ahead of schedule, officially opening on January 22, 2007. Site design was completed by Catania Engineering Associates.
Live table gaming was introduced on July 18, 2010. In May 2012, the facility underwent a rebranding from Harrah's Chester to Harrah's Philadelphia to appeal to a wider customer base.
In 2018, real estate investment company Vici Properties, which was spun off from Caesars, purchased the land and buildings for $242 million and leased them back to Caesars for an annual rent of $21 million.
Sports betting debuted with a trial phase on January 22, 2019, and officially launched two days later on January 24. Caesars Sportsbook occupies a dedicated area equipped with an odds display board, six teller windows, self-service betting kiosks, two horse racing terminals, and seating accommodating over 30 guests including lounge and bar spaces. Wagering options include major sports such as football, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, and collegiate athletics.
Amenities
The casino boasts more than 2,000 slot machines within its gaming floor covering , alongside a event center and various bars, dining establishments, meeting facilities, and retail shops.
Bars
- C-Bar
- Copper Mug
- Harrah's Backyard
- O'Shea's
Meeting rooms
- Caesars
- Harrah's
- Horseshoe
Restaurants
- Market Express
- Mien
- Philly Tap and Tavern
- The Market
Shopping
- Gift Shop
Harness racing
Harrah's Philadelphia hosts a live harness racing season spanning approximately 150 days from early April through mid-December. Races are generally held on Sundays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, as well as select holidays, with race events typically beginning at 12:25 PM. The venue also facilitates simulcast wagering from tracks across the United States and Canada.
The track itself is constructed on a limestone base and features a distinctive central bridge over the Delaware River, providing views of freight ships passing by. While the track is outfitted with lighting for night events, regular evening races have not been conducted since 2011.
The paddock area has capacity for up to 131 horses; however, due to spatial constraints, horses are transported in for races rather than being housed onsite.
Harrah's Philadelphia was the broadcast location for the weekly program PA Harness Week on Comcast SportsNet until its conclusion in August 2015, at which time it had an audience of roughly 3,500 viewers per week.
Track announcers
- Various announcers (2006)
- James Witherite (2007–2013)
- Michael Bozich (2014–present)