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Thousands of people have already poured through the doors of the brand-new Hollywood Casino Columbus.

“I’m so excited that it’s finally in Columbus,” said Cathy Torrence, who came from Mount Vernon to play craps on the opening day of the $400 million facility on the West Side.

Torrence was one of about 12,200 excited gamblers who had arrived by 4 p.m., according to casino estimates.

The casino opened with a gala, ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring Mayor Michael B. Coleman, boxing champion James “Buster” Douglas, two-time Heisman trophy winner Archie Griffin, Hollywood starlet Ann-Margaret and several state, county and city officials.

“Helloooooo Columbus,” Ann-Margaret told the crowd gathered for the opening ceremony, and then urged them to “go out there and play, play hard.”

The crowds that came soon after seemed to take her advice.

The overriding theme of the opening ceremony was hope and optimism for what the casino will bring to the surrounding area, mixed in with a little Hollywood glitz, glamour and showgirls.

“On this site was an abandoned factory ... polluted, it had no hope,” Coleman said of the former Delphi Corp. plant. “And now it has been transformed ... into a jewel.”

Hollywood Casino general manager Ameet Patel called the opening, “the rebirth of the West Side.”

The casino has about 3,000 slots, 78 table games, 30 poker tables, four restaurants, a 10,000 square-foot events center and 4,600 parking spaces.

There’s no such thing as a minor detail to Ameet Patel, general manager of the $400 million Hollywood Casino Columbus, which opens at noon today.

“These chefs have a passion behind this burger like you’ve never seen before,” he said, holding one prepared at the casino’s Take 2 Grill. “Look at the freshness and crispness of this lettuce."

He then began to wax poetic about the caramelized onions and toasted bun.

This attention to detail, he continued, is “how we create a unique experience” for visitors to the casino.

Patel tends to speak in exclamation points and superlatives, and he tosses around words such as experience, enthusiasm and passion — his favorite, by far — like chips on the roulette table.

All this passion and attention to detail will be put to the test as an estimated 20,000 people pour in for the opening day of the city’s first Las Vegas-style casino. When visitors arrive, what can they expect from Patel, Hollywood Casino and its 2,000 employees?Many guests will park in the massive, 2,100-car parking garage. Remember what floor you parked on, and the letter on the pillar closest to your car.

As you enter the casino, expect an onslaught upon several of the senses: bright lights; up-tempo music from the sound system and live bands performing at the o.h. sports bar; cheers and groans from the craps table; giant video screens showing movie trailers and sporting events; the sound of 3,000 spinning slot machines, and the bells and whistles that go off whenever someone hits a jackpot.

“All of this will create an unparalleled experience,” said Patel, who believes making a good first impression will be key to the casino’s long-term success.

Guests can also expect to be greeted by scores of happy employees.

“What impressed me the most was the customer service of the employees, everyone had a big smile and was so gracious and even humorous,” said Randy Schoedinger, one of the owners of the Schoedinger funeral homes. He was one of about 16,000 invited guests who attended a controlled demonstration last week.

Schoedinger said the new casino was “first class” and compared favorably to those he’s visited on the Las Vegas Strip.

The overall palate of the casino’s interior is dominated by gold: gold marble on the floors, gold-colored pillars and ceilings. The carpets are a wild mixture of red and other bright colors, in an art deco meets Peter Max design.

There are two entrances, and a bank of table games is just inside each.

“You can expect a lot of energy and excitement (at the table games),” said Tony Carolo, director of the 78 table games and 30 poker tables, sounding a lot like Patel.

Blackjack is the most plentiful game, with 49 tables. The minimum bets will be in the $20 to $25 range during the first week of operations, Carolo said, adding that “it could drop to $15 or even $10 based on demand and volume.”

In the high-rollers room, there are eight blackjack tables, with minimums and maximums of $100 and $5,000.

Do not gamble beyond your means, Carolo warned. He also offered some advice for beginners.

“If you’re going to risk your money, watch first and understand what to do,” he said, adding that his small army of about 600 licensed dealers will do their best to answer questions.

Wherever you go in the casino, and especially wherever there is money and chips, someone will be watching.

“Our agents have already audited and reviewed all 1,100 surveillance cameras,” said Matt Schuler, executive director of the Ohio Casino Control Commission.

“We have full view of all points on the casino floor, with fixed cameras and ones that can zoom and drill in on anything we need to see.”

These cameras also cover the parking garage, exterior of the casino and restaurants, but not the bathrooms.

There are four restaurants: the Epic Buffet, upscale Final Cut Steak & Seafood, fast-food Take 2 Grill and o.h. sports bar. On a busy day, about 4,600 people are expected to eat at the restaurants, said Mark Clemency, food and beverage director.

“We will be the biggest food server in the city on a daily basis,” he said. “Except for Ohio Stadium on a game day.”

There are about 450 food and beverage employees, and “all the baked goods are made from scratch in house,” Clemency said.Prices for the Epic Buffet range from $13.99 for lunch to $19.99 to $24.99 for dinner.

“Look, there’s even carpet on the floor,” Patel says, standing in the middle of the 300-seat buffet. “You don’t see this in any other buffet. People say there are too many spills and you need to mop them up, but we’re taking it to a whole new level.”

The Final Cut will feature Hollywood memorabilia, including the clothes worn by big-name stars during the filming of movies and at Oscar ceremonies.

It will also feature “an outrageous, bone-in, filet mignon, dry-aged, 14-ounce, Black Angus” steak, Clemency said.

The cost: $56.

The floor plan of the casino is a bit confusing, and it is possible to wander in circles while looking for a specific restaurant or the high-roller room.

However, if you follow the gold-marble road, which runs in a circular fashion through the casino, you will eventually get your bearings and find your destination.

Overhead are old and new movie posters and video screens, emphasizing the Hollywood theme.

“We have over 300 TV screens with micro tiles,” Patel said. “One is 15 feet by 20 feet with about 285 squares. We can show one giant image on it or four or up to 285.”

Patel ends the tour the way he began it: talking about the passion of his people and how it will enhance the experience for visitors.

“My enthusiasm is at such a high level right now, I’ve stopped sleeping,” he said.

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