Playtime Casino Hanover shares its grounds with Hanover Raceway, a harness-racing track where slots first opened in 2001 and later moved into the agricultural society's Carriage Hall. On race days fans park for free and the grandstand sells food; without live racing, horse bets go to the simulcast area.
By the Sideroad deskChecked October 14, 2026
The track
Standardbred racing at 265 5th Street
Hanover Raceway, a Standardbred harness-racing track, sits at 265 5th Street and shares its grounds with the casino at number 275. It is run by the Hanover, Bentinck & Brant Agricultural Society. Live racing takes place over a summer season, with race dates listed on hanoverraceway.com. Parking is free for fans on race days. A grandstand stand sells burgers, fries, hot dogs, snacks and drinks, though only during live racing.
On days without live racing, bets on horse races are placed in the simulcast area at the back of the casino. The minimum bet there is $2.00. Bets cannot be placed in U.S. dollars.
The story
From raceway slots to the Carriage Hall
The casino began as slots at the raceway. They first opened on February 21, 2001. In May 2017, Gateway Casinos took over the Southwest Gaming Bundle under a 20-year agreement with OLG. That bundle included the slots at Hanover Raceway.
After the takeover came an $18 million expansion. The casino was relocated into the Carriage Hall of the agricultural society, behind the old building. With the move, the casino also took a new name: Playtime Casino Hanover.
The grand opening came in April 2019. The casino and the Standardbred harness track still share the grounds on 5th Street, at numbers 275 and 265. Gateway runs the casino under its Playtime brand.
Who runs what
Operators, regulators and the track
The casino is operated by Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited, under the company's Playtime brand. In Ontario, three parties share the roles. OLG conducts and manages all casino gaming, private firms like Gateway handle daily operations, and the AGCO regulates them.
The harness track next door is a separate matter. Hanover Raceway is run by the Hanover, Bentinck & Brant Agricultural Society. It shares the grounds on 5th Street with the casino.
Questions
Short answers
When did the first slot machines open at the raceway?
Slots first opened at Hanover Raceway on February 21, 2001. The grand opening of Playtime Casino Hanover, in the Carriage Hall, followed in April 2019.
Where does Hanover Raceway publish its race dates?
Race dates are posted on hanoverraceway.com. Live racing runs in a summer season, and fans park for free on race days.
What happens to horse bets when there is no live racing?
These bets are taken in the simulcast area at the rear of the casino. Bets start at $2.00, and U.S. dollars are not accepted for them. The Hanover Raceway Simulcast Theatre is open from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. On Friday and Saturday its hours are 12 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Further along
- InsideInside the casino on 5th StreetInside the Hanover casino: 289 slot machines, 18 electronic table stations, the Arcade Bar, two restaurants and a simulcast theatre.
- The drive inDriving in from four directionsStraight-line distances from the casino in Hanover to towns north, east, south and west, each with its road route opened in Google Maps.
- Friday to SundayPlaytime Casino Hanover, Friday to SundayHours at the Hanover casino across a weekend: the floor open from Thursday 9 a.m. to Saturday midnight, the bar, breakfast and simulcast theatre.