Collinsville, Ill. (May 15, 2026) Fairmount Park Casino & Racing recently invested nearly $3 million and hired 35 new employees to introduce live table games to its casino, marking another major expansion for Illinois’ only “racino,” a venue that combines live horse racing and casino gaming under one roof.
When Fairmount Park remodeled in 2025, the space only featured electronic table games and slot machines. General Manager Vince Gabbert said bringing table games to the floor was a huge goal for the track, and now they’ve made it a reality.
“We’re the only place for many people within a 5-6 hour radius to come watch horse races and play games in a casino,” Gabbert said. “Now that we’ve added live games like blackjack and poker tables, it’ll truly feel like a premium casino experience. We expect a lot of energy on the game floor, and it’ll make the atmosphere in the casino even more exciting. Our goal is to create a space where people can come out, spend the whole day here, and enjoy different activities.”
Gabbert said the new additions feature some of the world’s most recognizable casino games, including blackjack, poker, mini baccarat and roulette, bringing a more dynamic and authentic gaming experience to Fairmount Park guests.
“We really want to be a destination, and a place for locals and tourists alike to come have a great time,” Gabbert said. “We have quickly morphed into the best race track in the state, and now we’ve created an outstanding casino experience for our fans as well. We really plan to continue growing on a national landscape, and table games are just one avenue for us to take that step.”
Gabbert emphasized that casino revenue drives larger purse sizes for horse races at the track. The bigger the purses, the larger the field size of horses and the number of trainers who come to compete at Fairmount Park. This creates a better on-track product and allows the facility to keep improving on all levels.
Fairmount Park is currently in racing season, with races starting at 1:30 p.m. every Tuesday and Saturday through Oct. 27. The Fairmount Park casino is open daily 9 a.m. – 2 a.m.
