Gambling in the State of Ohio

Ohio is one of the newer casino markets in the region. It has two types of gaming establishments. There are full-service casinos in the state’s four largest cities: Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Dayton. These properties have slots, video poker, table games, and live poker. There are racinos at the state’s seven racetracks. These offer video lottery terminals, which are slots and keno.

Sportsbooks opened in Ohio on January 1, 2023. Bets may be placed online, as well as at retail locations like casinos, racinos, and stadiums. Most major online sportsbook brands operate in Ohio.

There are several other forms of legalized gambling in Ohio. This includes a state lottery, charitable gaming, horseracing, and daily fantasy sports contests.

The Ohio content listed was previously provided on Ohio Advantage. All of the blog posts have been archived and are still available.

Gambling in the United States

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OH commercial casinos

There are two types of casinos in Ohio. The four largest cities have full-service casinos that have slots, video poker, table games like craps, crapless craps, blackjack and roulette, and live poker rooms.

Ohio racetracks have video lottery racinos. These properties only have video lottery terminals. These games are slots and keno. Video poker, live poker, and table game players must go to a casino to find those games. More information about these properties can be found in the horse racing section.

Full-service casinos in Ohio

In Ohio, full-service casinos may offer slots, video poker, table games, live poker rooms, and sports betting. Players must be at least 21 years of age.

These casinos are found in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Toledo.

00 Roulette table at JACK Cleveland in Ohio.

Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati – 1000 Broadway Street

Previously JACK Cincinnati, Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati offers 1,600 slot and video poker machines, 100 table games, a poker room, and a Hard Rock Sportsbook. While the casino is nonsmoking, there is a smoking gaming patio with 100 machines and a dozen table games. The property has five dining options and an event center. However, there is no hotel.

Hollywood Casino Columbus – 200 Georgesville Road

Hollywood Casino Columbus has over 1,700 slot and video poker machines, 65 table games, and a poker room. The smoking gaming patio has 200 slots and video poker machines. There are six dining options and an event center on the property. While overnight accommodations are not on the property, local partner hotels are available.

Hollywood Casino Toledo – 1968 Miami Street

There are around 1,700 slot and video poker machines, 45 table games, and a poker room at Hollywood Casino Toledo. Two smoking gaming patios have slot machines. The property offers four dining options, but no hotel. Discounted rates are offered at select partner hotels.

JACK Cleveland Casino – 100 Public Square

Originally Horseshoe Casino Cleveland, JACK Cleveland has over 1,000 slot and video poker machines, 100 table games, and a poker room. Along with the four restaurants inside the casino, comps are accepted at some area restaurants. Overnight accommodations are available in the connected Ritz-Carton Cleveland hotel.

OH retail and mobile sports betting

Sports betting, including mobile sports wagering, is approved and legal in Ohio. It launched on January 1, 2023. There are retail sportsbooks at establishments like casinos and racinos. The minimum age is 21. Players can make accounts, deposits, and bets on phones and on sportsbook websites.

Daily fantasy sports contests are also legal in Ohio. DraftKings and FanDuel are among the licensed operators. Bettors must be at least 18 years old for fantasy sports contests.

Approved sports wagers in Ohio

Wagers may be accepted on approved sporting events in Ohio. This includes most major professional and many NCAA Division I sporting events. Sports approved by the Ohio Casino Control Commission include Australian Rules Football, baseball, basketball, bowling, boxing, cricket, cycling, e-sports, football, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, MMA, motorsports, Olympics, rugby league, rugby union, soccer, softball, tennis, volleyball, and wrestling. Available sports wagers may vary by sportsbook.

Additional sports may become available in the future. Unapproved wagers include statistical actions of coaches, officials, and referees; negative wagers, such as injuries or game ejections; results that are determined by random chance, like coin flips; pre-recorded events or events with previously determined results; and events in which over 50% of the participating athletes are under 18 years of age.

Online gambling options in Ohio

Online sports wagering is available through daily fantasy sports contests and sportsbooks in Ohio. Daily fantasy sports contests are available to players 18 years and older while sportsbooks are limited to 21 years of age and older. Sweepstakes contests are also allowed in the state. While sweepstake games are free to play, packages are available to purchase additional gameplay.

OH live harness and thoroughbred horse racing

Horse racing is legal at live races, on mobile devices, and the off-track betting parlor. Ohio racetracks have video lottery slots and keno. Guests must be at least 21 years of age to play video lottery terminals.

Many Ohio racetracks allow minors in the grandstands during live races. However, horse bettors must be 18 years of age or older. Simulcast wagering is also available.

Racetrack at Belterra Park in Ohio.

Cedars Downs is the only off-track betting parlor in Ohio. The facility is operated by Northfield Park. It is located in the Rain Waterpark Complex in Sandusky.

Harness racetracks in Ohio

Racetrack at Eldorado Scioto Downs in Ohio
Racetrack at Eldorado Scioto Downs in Ohio May 2021

In Ohio, four of the racino racetracks host live harness racing.

Eldorado Scioto Downs – 6000 S High Street, Columbus

Live harness races are held at Eldorado Scioto Downs from May through September. This Caesars Entertainment property offers more than 2,100 video lottery terminals with three smoking gaming patios available. It also has three dining options. Sports betting is available through Caesars Sportsbook. A Hampton Inn is connected to the racino.

Hollywood at Dayton Raceway – 777 Hollywood Boulevard, Dayton

Dayton Raceway hosts live harness races from September through December. The Hollywood Gaming racino has around 1,000 video lottery terminals and a Barstool Sportsbook. While smoking is prohibited indoors in Ohio, two outdoor gaming patios are available. The property has five dining options, but no overnight accommodations.

MGM Northfield Park – 10777 Northfield Road, Northfield

Year-round harness races are held at MGM Northfield Park. There are three dining options at the racetrack. The adjacent racino offers 2,000 video lottery terminals, a BetMGM Sportsbook, and four restaurants. Three smoking gaming patios are available. There is no hotel.

Miami Valley Gaming – 6000 OH-63, Lebanon

At Miami Valley Gaming, live harness races are run from January through early May. The racino has 2,200 video lottery terminals, including machines on smoking gaming patios. There are four dining options. While there is no hotel on the property, partner hotels are available in the surrounding areas.

Thoroughbred racetracks in Ohio

Three of the racino racetracks host thoroughbred horse races in Ohio.

Belterra Park Cincinnati – 6301 Kellogg Road, Cincinnati

Belterra Park Cincinnati hosts live thoroughbred races from April through October. The Boyd Gaming racino offers around 1,100 video lottery terminals and a FanDuel Sportsbook. The property has a smoking gaming patio and three dining options. However, no hotel is available.

Hollywood at Mahoning Valley – 655 N Canfield Niles Road, Youngstown

Live thoroughbred races are held from October through April at Mahoning Valley Race Course. The Hollywood Gaming racino has more than 1,000 video lottery terminals. It also has a smoking gaming patio. There are four dining options, including a Barstool Sportsbook Restaurant. While there is no hotel, multiple partner hotels are less than a mile away.

JACK Thistledown Racino – 21501 Emery Road, North Randall

JACK Thistledown hosts thoroughbred races from April through October. The racino offers 1,400 video lottery terminals, including almost 250 on the smoking gaming patio. Table games and video poker are offered at its related JACK Cleveland casino. JACK Thistledown has three dining options and a betJACK Sportsbook. Friday and Saturday shuttle service is offered to and from its partner hotel.

Ohio state lottery

There is a state lottery in Ohio. Games include Classic Lotto, Rolling Cash 5, Pick 5, Pick 4, Pick 3, Lucky for Life, Mega Millions, Powerball, Keno, EZPlay, and scratch-off tickets.

There are video lottery terminals at Ohio racetracks. These are slots and keno games. Video poker and table games are not available at Ohio racinos. These are only found at the state’s four casinos.

US Casino Advantage blog posts about Ohio


Ohio Gambling FAQs

Are casinos legal in the state of Ohio?

Yes. There are four casinos with table games and slots and seven racinos with video lottery terminals in Ohio.

What is the minimum age to gamble in Ohio casinos?

Players must be at least 21 years of age to gamble in Ohio casinos and racinos.

What types of games are allowed at Ohio casinos?

Racinos are permitted to have video lottery terminals, which look and play like slots and keno. Casinos are permitted to have slots, video poker, keno, table games, and poker rooms. Sports betting is allowed at both.

Are table games allowed at Ohio casinos?

Yes. Table games are permitted at Ohio’s four casinos, but not at racinos.


Are sportsbooks legal in Ohio?

Yes. Retail and mobile sportsbooks are legal in Ohio. Players must be at least 21 years of age.

Is mobile sports betting legal in Ohio?

Yes. Wagers may be placed online or on mobile apps. Sports bettors must be 21 years of age or older.


What online gambling options are available in Ohio?

Available online gambling options in Ohio include daily fantasy sports contests, sports betting, horse racing, and sweepstakes games.


Are live horse races held in Ohio?

Yes. There are four harness racetracks and three thoroughbred racetracks in Ohio.

Can you bet on horse races in Ohio?

Yes. Wagers on horse races may be placed at racetracks, off-track betting parlors, and on mobile apps.

What is the minimum age to wager on horse races in Ohio?

Horse bettors must be at least 18 years of age in Ohio.


Does Ohio have a state lottery?

Yes. In Ohio, lottery games include lotto drawings, video lottery terminals at racinos, and scratch-off tickets.

How old must you be to play lotto games in Ohio?

Lottery tickets and drawings are restricted to players 18 years of age and older in Ohio. However, video lottery players must be at least 21 years old.

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Last Updated on September 13, 2023 by Kristina Mehaffey