Northfield Park has submitted a formal application to the state to launch its racino.
The horse-racing venue is the last of the seven tracks in Ohio to apply for a state license to offer slots-like video lottery terminals.
The application was submitted Friday.
The Ohio Lottery Commission still is waiting for additional paperwork from Hard Rock International, the company partnering with the track, before starting its initial review, agency spokeswoman Danielle Frizzi-Babb said.
A Hard Rock spokeswoman did not know when that paperwork would be filed.
The lottery commission is overseeing the addition of slots-like gambling in the state.
Initial review takes about 30 days, Frizzi-Babb said. If all the paperwork checks out, the partners must submit a $10 million application fee. A more thorough review that includes background checks and examination of security plans then would be conducted.
The more in-depth review takes about six months.
Northfield Park, located in Northfield, had announced last week that construction was under way and it hoped the racino would open late this year.
Northfield Park and Hard Rock are partnering on a $250 million to $300 million project to build a gambling and entertainment complex on track property. The facility would be filled with 2,300 to 2,500 slots-like video lottery terminals, a 250-seat comedy club, steakhouse, buffet, music venue with 1,800 to 1,900 seats, and Hard Rock Cafe.
The only racino operating in the state is Scioto Downs in Columbus. The Thistledown racino in North Randall is expected to open this spring.
Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com.