When he drives to the shiny-new casino, he still sees signs of struggle on West Broad street, like the deserted Westland Mall. Gillis says he has gambled here for about two years. While some improvements did happen on West Broad Street since then, many residents say they’re still waiting for more. When the Hollywood Casino opened on the West Side in October 2012, officials hoped it would bring new jobs and businesses to the depressed neighborhood. This fall marks the fifth anniversary of the birth of legal gambling in Columbus. 'I got about $600, so I did pretty well.' “I had a couple of good hands last week,' Gillis says. The West Side resident visits the casino, in his words, “more than he should.” But the week before, it paid off. One Monday morning, the slot machines at the Hollywood Casino have already attracted a few gamblers to try their luck.
