Reactions mixed as Dover Downs casino to be open on Christmas for the first time

Jessica Bies Jerry Smith
The News Journal

For the first time in Delaware's history, the Dover Downs casino will be open on Christmas. 

Thanks to a casino relief bill signed into law in June, it is now legal to gamble at Delaware's three casinos on both Christmas and Easter, though Dover Downs is the only one taking advantage of the change next week. 

Delaware Park and Harrington Raceway and Casino will remain closed, according to their websites. 

Dover Downs will be open on Christmas for the first time, and employees and gamblers have mixed reactions.

"This was not something we've been pushing hard for," Dover Downs CEO Denis McGlynn said in an email. 

He said it became "a small part of the give and take" during negotiations for new tax relief. 

The law will lower the casinos' tax burden $16.8 million by 2020 by reducing the tax rate on slot revenue and cutting the tax rate on table games nearly in half.

The change will finally put an end to complaints that Dover Downs casino is not open on Christmas. Specifically, the bill now lets casinos operate video lottery terminals, a modern version of slot machines, during the holidays. 

View of slot machines at Dover Downs Hotel and Casino in Dover.

People working and gambling at Dover Downs on Friday were conflicted about the casino being open Christmas Day.

While Tina Cox of Virginia Beach, Virginia, said that it might be a good thing for those who don't have anyone to share the holiday or anything to do on Christmas, she won't be making the four-hour drive to Dover despite there being no gambling in Virginia.

Sarah Johnson of Chestertown, Maryland, said between pulls on the slot machine handle that she loves coming to Dover Downs on any other day than the most sacred of holidays.

She was adamant about it not needing to be open on Christmas Day.

"Even though I bet it will probably be crowded, it's not fitting with the holiday and the birth of Jesus," she said. "I won't be here because Christmas is for family. But I'm sure this being the first time it is open, there will be plenty of people in these seats." 

Kristen Butler of Richmond, Virginia, agreed that being open on Christmas wasn't right.

"It's a terrible thing. It's a holiday," she said. "It's a time for family and that doesn't mean spending it in a casino."

Two employees of the Garden Cafe, a casual restaurant on the north side of the casino, said they understand being open could be good for business, but they weren't excited to have to work.

"We want to be home with our families," said E'lisia Davis of Dover, who has been employed at the Garden Cafe since May. "I like to see everybody's faces when they open presents and watch them enjoy their gifts. I'll have to rush this year so I can make it into work."

For Nicolas Kepner, having to work on Christmas Day cuts into the time he gets to spend with his father, who is a long-haul truck driver.

"He's only going to be home Christmas Eve and some of the day on Christmas, so we'll have to get up early," said Kepner, who has been a host/cashier for three months. "The good part is I'll be making time and a half, and that will help pay some bills."

McGlynn said he's not sure what to expect on Tuesday, but that any uptick in business will help. 

He told the Delaware State News that more than 300 of the hotel’s rooms have already been booked for Christmas, which is more than usual. 

Contact Jessica Bies at (302) 324-2881 or jbies@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @jessicajbies.

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