Delaware Park Casino Builds $5M Outdoor Slot Patio for Smokers

Delaware Park Casino in Wilmington has made a big move to please its smoking customers by opening a new $5 million outdoor gaming area. The project, which started running this week, lets players smoke their cigarettes or cigars while they play on over 250 slot machines — all in an open-air space that keeps the temperature just right.

New Outdoor Slot Space Boosts Delaware Park’s Machine Count

Spanning about 10,000 square feet, the new patio increases Delaware Park‘s total slot machine count to over 1,900, cementing its spot as the top casino in the state. The space works year-round, with strong heaters for cold months and fans to cool things down in summer.

Delaware Park President and General Manager Terry Glebocki says this growth shows how the casino keeps trying to create fresh experiences to suit different players’ likes. She points out that the outdoor patio strikes a balance, giving smokers a place to play without making non-smokers inside the main casino uncomfortable.

The new smoking area arrives as Delaware keeps enforcing tough indoor smoking rules. Since the early 2000s, the state has banned smoking inside most workplaces and public spots, including casinos. By putting the smoking zone outside, Delaware Park follows state laws while appealing to customers who like to smoke while they play.

Delaware Park Unveils Patio for All Four Seasons

The outdoor structure, built with six-foot-high openings on all sides, offers easy access and comfort. With about 50 heaters, it should stay cozy even when it is cold. Glebocki said the casino wanted to make a space that feels nice in all seasons, so players can keep enjoying their favorite games without interuptions.

This new addition comes after Delaware Park got several upgrades since Clairvest Equity Partners from Canada and Rubico Gaming, led by Thomas Benninger, bought it in 2021. The casino got a $10 million makeover in 2023. This was part of a bigger plan to update the historic place while keeping it competitive.

William du Pont Jr. started Delaware Park in 1937 as a thoroughbred racetrack. It turned into a racino in the mid-1990s. It is still the top money-maker among Delaware’s three licensed gaming spots, bringing in almost $196 million in gross gaming revenue in the 2025 fiscal year.

By creating a new outdoor gaming area, Delaware Park seeks to keep its long-standing lead in the state’s casino market. This move blends old and new, giving gamblers another reason to stick around and keep playing.