Reading Borough Council have approved plans to build a brand new “racino” – an American name for an entertainment complex that combines both a race track and a casino. In this case the Reading racino will be home to both greyhound racing and the Reading Bulldogs speedway racing team.

The appeal of constructing a racino isn’t difficult to grasp. Race tracks are always keen to increase the number of visitors they get, and with an increasing number of alternative entertainment options available elsewhere, if they can offer anything more than pure racing action so much the better. With the planned Reading racino offering the excitement of both greyhound and speedway racing as well as the proven allure of casino gaming, the venue has ever chance of thriving as far as attendance is concerned.

It is expected that the casino itself will be open from 2pm to 4am, seven days a week. Greyhound racing will take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Speedway events will take place every Monday.

There is presently no public transport that will serve the racino site, so part of the deal is that the complex provides its own free shuttle bus service for clients and staff members. The buses will operate throughout the night and early morning from 7pm until 7am, and will serve Central, East and West Reading.

The Reading racino will be constructed at Island Road. Construction is expected to begin later this year, and the first target is for the speedway track to be completed in the third quarter of 2008. Grosvenor Casino, which has an establishment in Duke Street, had previously stated that it saw no need for a casino out of town, and Reading Football Club had objected on the basis that their own Madejski Stadium would be a more suitable venue for the new casino. Both parties will be sour that the Reading racino plans have been approved, but greyhound, speedway and casino fans in the area undoubtedly have a great deal to look forward to.

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