You had to go to the grandstand area or other designated areas outside the casino. Maybe before, but when I was there 2 days ago NO SMOKING WAS ALLOWED ANYWHERE IN THE CASINO.
(East garage, with no problem finding a parking space close to the entrance to the casino and grandstand for the horse racing.) I also have read complaints about smoking and how bad it is. I found the parking easy and a 30 foot walk directly to the elevators (well directed) and down to the L level for the casino. From what I have read, this is apparently a significant improvement from just a couple of months ago.
I found the poker room well organized and the staff bot courteous and capable. Went straight to the poker room and was sitting down playing in less than 5 minutes. I found the food delivered by the cocktail waitresses to my table and the food in the sit down restaurant to be as good as any I have had in Vegas or AC. For everyone who complains about the buffet, I would simply say.who goes to a casino for the food? AND who the heck wants to eat at a buffet where everyone under the sun has sneezed and picked over your food. I do nothing in a casino except play No Limit Hold-Em poker. I live less than 2 hours away, so I said, what the heck, give it a try. I almost decided not to take my day trip to Charles Town Hollywood Casino because of some of the bad reviews I read on-line.