We are not much on gambling. But we do want to have fun, not lose our money within 1/2 hr of being there. Slots need to pay out a lot more, even though changes are you'll just bet in away, but at least you can have enjoyment doing so. We go for a good time. And it's exciting to win at the machines, (especially the noisy ones). I hate having to leave early because we've spent our limit so early.
Have noticed an improvement in payouts recently. $100 to $200 hits on 50 cent machines, and $100 hits on nickel machines. Website now showing jackpot winners in all denominations. Have hit on 50 cent and dollar machines in March. Free slot play was reduced when I played less, but now getting extra free play notices in the mail. "free gifts" each month are cheap and not worth the trouble. Overall, the experience has improved this quarter.
Without a doubt one of the lowest payout casinos I've played at. I have also noticed that slot payouts have gotten worse over the last three months and freeplay offers are less. Not worth the trip anymore. Wait for the new Maryland casinos or go to Delaware or PA.
If you look at overall ratings, this is the real deal. Charlestown has big expenses for over expansion the last several years. First
they had to pay for tables, and now they face real competition in MD. Although they continue to advertise nearly 5000 HOT slots,
if you read coments on Tripadvisor, or American Casino Guide Reviews, the general public has a totally different view! The truth.
Do you think maybe the inevitable is coming for Charlestown.
Soon gamblers will have other options. Customers from MD, DC and VA will no longer need to travel 70+ miles to visit a casino.
For most, less than 30 miles. With gas prices predicted to be above 5.00+ a gallon by Memorial day, this is just another reason to
go to Arundel Mills and not Charlestown. The downfall of Charlestown is a case of mismanagement and greed. My prediction is that
5 years from now, Charlestown will consist of a hotel in the middle of nowhere, about to close. Sheetz will still be going strong.
It's all about management, and their motives. Providing a service to customers, as opposed to screwing customers!
The slots became extremely tight around about the time the recession hit. They've certainly not loosened up since then. Back in the '90s and early '00s, the machines were considerably looser and the place was just more fun. They've stopped having bands. I suppose to save money. Many female attendants with absurdly out of date, low cut dresses wander about the casino and offer small free drinks. Warm-ish beers and weak mixed drinks. Food at most of the restaurants is fair to decent...not terribly over-priced. Table games have absurdly high minimums but from what I read in the Washington Post a couple years ago, CT pulls in a large, rather wealthy crowd from D.C. and Northern Virginia. As other states have installed gambling, these folks have begun to migrate to other casinos. The upgrades over the past couple years have made the casino more attractive, but who cares if you gamble and gamble with little if any wins? Free parking. A couple of decent motels with shuttle service are nearby. Don't drink and drive...cops prey on out-of-town folks. Really not worth the trip for us anymore. Why go to a casino if all you're going to ever do is stuff money into a machine with little chance of any real payouts? The last time we were there, a guy we started talking to told us you might as well drive to Charles Town, go to the casino and throw all your money into the elevator and leave. He said he'll never come back and that Dover Downs has much more enjoyable slots.
