Ocean Downs Casino in brief
Construction on the track began in 1947 and the first harness card ran on July 25, 1949. The track has changed hands often: Rosecroft Raceway’s owners bought it in 1987 and renamed it Delmarva Downs, it went bankrupt in 1991, and it returned to the Ocean Downs name in 1996 under later owners including Bally Entertainment and William Rickman.
Maryland voters approved video lottery terminals in a November 2008 referendum, with one of five licenses for Worcester County. Ocean Downs Casino opened in January 2011 with 750 slot machines, the second casino in the state after Perryville. A 50,000-square-foot expansion with ten table games and a new restaurant opened in December 2017.
The Ocean Downs horse racing schedule
In 2026 the meet opened on May 18 and the U.S. Trotting Association lists September 7 as the closing date, with up to three cards a week on Sunday, Monday and Wednesday evenings and first post at 6:40 p.m. The track’s FAQ describes the usual horse racing schedule as late May to September.
| 2026 live meet | Detail |
|---|---|
| Season | May 18 to September 7 |
| Race nights | Sunday, Monday, Wednesday |
| First post | 6:40 p.m. |
| Admission and parking | Free |
| Betting age | 18 |
Ocean Downs races on a half-mile oval, so fields circle twice for each mile and the inside posts carry an edge. The track’s site publishes the horse racing schedule, the draw and qualifying calendar, the wagering format and track records. The pari-mutuel betting guide explains the pools, and the casino’s app can be used to place bets.
When the live meet ends, simulcast racing from other tracks keeps running in The Clubhouse, which is free to enter; it closes only on Easter Sunday and Christmas Day. Maryland horsemen also receive a share of casino revenue through the state’s purse dedication account, part of the $94.7 million that Maryland casinos sent to the racing industry in fiscal 2026.
Gaming at Ocean Downs Casino
Maryland Lottery and Gaming listed 900 slot machines and 17 table games at Ocean Downs Casino in August 2026, when the property won $10.26 million from players, slightly up on August 2025. The pit covers seven games, from blackjack and craps to Mississippi Stud and Ultimate Texas Hold’em, and the floor also holds video poker.
There is no poker room. The sportsbook works through kiosks that accept singles, parlays, props, futures and live in-game bets from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., and a web bet builder generates a QR code for any kiosk. The building is non-smoking, with a smoking atrium of slots for those who want it. Anyone under 21 may not enter.
Restaurant choices
Three food outlets cover the floor and the track. Waves is the main restaurant, refreshed with cheesesteaks, pizza and burgers. The Playbook Sports Bar bills itself as the place in town to watch a game, place a bet and eat in one room. The Clubhouse Turn is the quick-serve counter with burgers, hot dogs, wings and salads.
The kitchen is run by executive chef John Demajistre, a Pittsburgh native who joined the property as sous chef in 2011, became head chef in 2016 and won the Ocean City Crab Soup Cook Off in 2017. On a racing night the Clubhouse Turn is the practical restaurant choice, since it sits close to the action and serves fast.
Shuttle, hotels and getting there
Ocean Downs Casino is about 3 miles from the Tanger Outlets in Ocean City and about 5 miles from the Ocean City boardwalk. There is no hotel on site. In summer the casino runs a free shuttle Thursday to Saturday, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m., from 18 partner hotels such as the Grand Hotel, Hyatt Place and Aloft.
The 2026 shuttle service has ended for the year and usually returns with the summer season. Driving visitors find free parking on site, reached from Racetrack Road off U.S. Route 50. Events continue into the off-season; the event center hosts a magic and hypnosis show on October 30, 2026, with general admission at $15.
Nearby racinos
Two Delaware tracks sit further up the Delmarva Peninsula. Harrington Raceway runs harness meets in spring and early fall, and Bally’s Dover races through the winter, so the three tracks together cover most of the year. The Maryland racinos page explains why Ocean Downs Casino is the state’s only track with slots, and racinos near me maps the rest.