Ohio Gambling
Ohio was one of the latest states to expand into the casino industry. It did so to compete with the bordering states of Indiana, West Virginia, Michigan and Pennsylvania. There are a few other forms of legalized gambling in Ohio. This includes a lottery and horseracing.
Ohio Casinos
Ohio voters approved casinos on November 3, 2009. Four casino licenses were issued. The four Ohio casinos are:
- Horseshoe in Cincinnati
- Horseshoe in Cleveland
- Hollywood Casino in Columbus
- Hollywood Casino in Toledo
These casinos are full service resorts. Each offers a hotel and numerous restaurants. Games include slots, video poker, live poker, blackjack, craps, roulette and house-banked poker games.
There are seven racinos in Ohio. These fall under video lottery licenses. These gaming establishments offer slots and video poker. Table games are not allowed outside of the four resort-style casinos.
The racinos and locations are:
- Belterra Park in Anderson Township
- Hard Rock Rocksino in Northfield
- Hollywood Gaming in Dayton
- Hollywood Gaming in Austintown
- Miami Valley Gaming in Turtlecreek Township
- Scioto Downs Racino in Columbus
- Thistledown Racino in North Randall
North Dakota licenses Bet America which accepts legal online wagers for horse racing, dog racing and fantasy sports. This is legal for residents of this state (please read their terms and conditions to ensure this has not changed).
Ohio Horse Racing
There are seven racetracks in Ohio. They are the racinos listed above. These venues offer live and off-track betting on horses.
Ohio Lottery
A statewide referendum amended the constitution in May 1973 to permit a lottery. The first tickets were sold in August 1974. Scratch-off, lotto drawings, raffles and keno are permitted. Lotto drawings include instate and interstate pools. Powerball and Mega Millions are among the interstate jackpots offered. Keno drawings are held every four minutes. Tickets may be purchased at bars, bowling alleys and pool halls.
Ohio Online Gambling
The only legal form of online gambling is horseracing. The state’s racetracks partnered with Racelinebet.com. Interstate sites that accept Ohio bettors are BetAmerica, TwinSpires and TVG.
Daily fantasy sports are believed to be legal in Ohio. Sites like DraftKings, FanDuel, CBS Sports and Yahoo seem to think this is the case. The Ohio attorney general and legislature have taken no action against the sites.
Sweepstakes machines were once legal in Ohio. These establishments sold internet time to guests that received free play equal to that value. This was a no purchase necessary situation under Ohio law. This loophole was closed in 2010 in preparation of legalized casinos in the state. There was little reason for gamblers to visit sweepstakes cafes once 11 licensed gaming establishments opened, most of which are just a short drive for Ohioans.
Ohio Charity Gambling
Charities in Ohio may offer bingo and raffles. All nonprofits must be registered to offer these games of chance.
Online gaming works — it’s been licensed in Europe for years, and in the US it’s already licensed in New Jersey, Nevada, and in Delaware. If you are a resident of the fine state of Ohio, don’t just sit there — make your voice heard.