Fairmount Park Casino & Racing Expands Gaming Options
Fairmount Park Casino & Racing in Collinsville has implemented live table games in an effort to broaden its operations and enhance the experience at the Metro East venue. This development represents a significant move toward transforming the location into a comprehensive racino ahead of the official casino launch in 2025.
Accel Entertainment, the property’s owner, announced that guests can now enjoy live dealer games such as blackjack, roulette, Ultimate Texas Hold ’Em, and I Luv Suits. This addition coincides with the beginning of the 2026 live racing season and signifies a shift away from solely electronic table games to a more traditional casino environment.
“We have committed to providing our customers with a full-scale gaming and entertainment venue, and we are making strides to fulfill that commitment,” stated Vince Gabbert, General Manager of Fairmount Park, in a company press release. “Introducing table games allows us to create a more engaging atmosphere that our visitors desire. We are focused on enhancing the racino experience and eager to welcome guests from Metro East and the greater St. Louis area for exceptional thoroughbred racing and live gaming.”
Expansion Project Boosts Employment Opportunities
The live table gaming area is part of a $3 million expansion project. This initiative has established a designated gaming pit in the racetrack’s temporary casino and is expected to create around 35 jobs.
The gaming floor now features various blackjack tables with different betting limits, along with roulette and other specialty games. According to company representatives, these expansions aim to boost attendance during evening hours and attract more visitors on racing days.
Fairmount Park continues to host live horse racing every Tuesday and Saturday until October 27, 2026, while casino gaming and simulcast wagering are available year-round. Upcoming racing events include Derby Day on May 2 and The St. Louis Derby on August 29.
Revenue Reinvestment into Racing
Accel Entertainment indicated that revenue from the new gaming positions will be reinvested into the racing operations. The company has raised total purses for the 2026 racing season by $500,000, a decision that officials believe has already led to larger race fields and heightened competition.
Company representatives highlighted this investment as part of broader efforts to bolster thoroughbred racing in Southern Illinois and ensure the long-term viability of the nearly century-old venue, which has offered racing, casino gaming, and sportsbook wagering since it opened in 1925.
Ongoing Development Plans
The introduction of table games marks an initial phase of more extensive redevelopment plans outlined following Accel Entertainment’s acquisition of Fairmount in 2024. The company has previously articulated plans for multi-million-dollar investments aimed at future growth.
Accel manages almost 29,000 electronic gaming terminals across over 4,600 locations in ten states, including bars, restaurants, truck stops, and gaming cafés, along with several self-operated venues, including Fairmount Park. Located near the St. Louis metropolitan area, Fairmount Park is increasingly integrating racing with expanded entertainment options to attract a wider audience. Officials noted that the addition of live dealers offers local players a new gaming destination and helps maintain steady traffic at the racino throughout the year.
