Casinos in Ohio: A Guide to All Land-based Ohio Casinos & Racinos!

Although the Buckeye State is not the first state that comes to mind when somebody thinks about gambling, residents and neighbors know that, since 2013, the state has been one of the most competitive gambling markets in the U.S. There are over 10 land-based gambling locations in Ohio. Not only can players game at the casinos in the state, but there are also a handful of casinos near Ohio that service state residents near the border. Here is a list of the most popular land-based casinos in the Ohio.

This gamblingohio.com page was designed so players can find the info they’re looking for all in one place. I’ll break down the different land-based Ohio gaming options, of which there are two. In addition, you’ll find a complete list of all legal Ohio casinos. This page is strictly about land-based Casinos Ohio has, and doesn’t discuss internet-based gaming.

Commercial Casinos in Ohio

Contents

Commercial Casinos in Ohio
Pari-mutuel Ohio Gaming: Racinos in Ohio
Ohio Indian Casino: None in the State
What Else to Expect from Casinos in Ohio
Ohio Casino Market Overview
Ohio Casino Map: List of All Gaming Locations

Casino games are popular across America. However, only half of the states in the country contain commercial casinos. For years Americans have been forced to travel across state and national borders to get their gambling fix. Until recent changes to the state’s laws, Ohio’s residents joined their fellow Americans in this gaming pilgrimage. In 2009 the voting populace decided to legalize land-based casinos in Ohio. Today there are four traditional (Vegas-style) casinos in the state of Ohio. The four most populous cities each contain a casino (Columbus, Toledo, Cincinnati, Cleveland).

A player enjoying the games at Jack Cincinnati, one of the casinos in Ohio.

The four commercial casinos were created as a way to generate revenue for a state that saw precious dollars flow outward to the casinos near Ohio. Today, Ohio gaming is in full swing and players can enjoy dozens of traditional casino games ranging from slots to table games, such as roulette, blackjack (switch, zappit and more), craps, baccarat, poker (3-Card, Hold’em, Pai Gow, Stud etc), and more.

All of these casino games are tested and controlled to ensure they are fair by independent testing agencies under the watchful eye of the Ohio Casino Control Commission. The Commission approved auditing entities include Gaming Laboratories International, BMM International, and Eclipse Compliance Testing. Only Ohio casinos that use these testing agencies are safe to play at. Please be aware that there are many illegal gaming machines throughout OH. Stick to the locations found on this page to ensure a safe gaming experience.

Pari-mutuel Ohio Gaming: Racinos in Ohio

In addition to the four Ohio casinos locations above, the state also offers seven ‘racinos.’ For those who don’t already know, a racino is half horse racetrack and half casino. The first racino Ohio location was opened in 2012. This came just nine months after the OH governor approved gaming machines at tracks. The racinos Ohio has are permitted to offer the same games as those found in neighboring states of Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania or West Virginia. Racinos in Ohio cannot offer table games, only VLTs (Video Lottery Terminals). VLTs look like your standard slot game, but operate like a lottery game, hence the name. Once a player makes a wager, the outcome is already determined much like buying a lotto ticket.

A racino Ohio has in its borders.

Although none of the racinos Ohio has to offer carry table games, this hasn’t prevented gamers from flocking to these gambling hubs. In fact, Ohio racinos are so popular, that the four traditional casinos discussed above, have actually lost business in recent years. Those in the industry claim that this is an effect caused by the seven racinos Ohio has in within its borders. The racetrack casinos are open 24 hours and have the same minimum gambling age as other gambling establishments 21+ years of age. Wagering on horse racing, however, can be done by anyone over 18 years of age. In addition, most of the racinos Ohio players will find themselves at, will offer fun and interesting promotions.

Ohio Indian Casino: None in the State

The most prevalent type of casino in the United States is by far the tribal casino. In fact, there are over 500 Indian casinos throughout the country. Although it may surprise you, there are no Ohio Indian casino locations. Native American gaming was legalized with the passage of the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (1993). Ever since the passage of the Act, tribal casinos have sprouted up across the country. Of course, one of the laws regulating tribal gaming is that the casino must be located on a Native American reservation. Because Ohio does not have any tribal territories within its borders, there are no places for an Ohio Indian casino to operate legally.

The logo of the National Indian Gaming Commission.

Tribal casinos are still the most popular gambling destinations outside of Vegas and Atlantic City resorts. If you’d like to experience the glamor and luxury of Indian casinos, you’ll have to look for Indian casinos near Ohio, not within it. Of the five states that border Ohio, Michigan is your best option for tribal gaming. The state has 24 Indian casino locations. The Indian casinos near Ohio are the Four Winds Casino and Fire Keepers Casino.

What Else to Expect from Casinos in Ohio

When choosing the top land-based casinos above, there were a few additional things that factored into our reviews and we didn’t only look at the games on offer. Naturally, games are a huge draw, and they play a large role in determining a person’s decision whether to visit one casino over another. Nevertheless, most people are after a more eclectic experience and also expect certain amenities or entertainment options from their casinos. The next few paragraphs discuss a few of the extra perks you’ll find at Ohio casinos.

Players enjoying the entertainment options at a casino.

Ohio Casino Locations

Location is one of the key factors determining the popularity of a casino in Ohio. That is why regulators approved gaming licenses for casinos in the state’s four most populous cities. Some residents don’t like the idea of having casinos where they live. However, if the intention is to raise money for the state by taxing gaming revenue, then it would make no sense to scatter the casinos in locations that are challenging to get to. There are multiple casinos near Cincinnati as well as casinos near Columbus, Ohio.

Casinos in Ohio with Hotels

The world’s most famous casinos are often entire resort complexes. At these resorts, players will find games, events, eateries, shopping and luxurious hotels. Unfortunately, there are no casinos in Ohio with hotels. This is obviously a big weakness of the Ohio gaming establishments. Luckily, because OH casinos are located in major cities, there is a wealth of hotel options in and around the state’s various gambling properties. Most casino websites will also feature a page that points readers towards hotels in the area. Should any Ohio casinos with hotels emerge in the future, we will update our casino reviews with the new info.

Entertainment and Dining Options

The best Ohioan gambling establishments offer unique entertainment and dining options to visitors. Most land-based casino locations will feature a few different dining options suitable for different palates. To be honest with you, the entertainment options are little lacking at OH gaming locations. Although the more popular establishments will offer live music to their patrons, the artists are usually local tribute bands. If you want the type of world-class entertainment typically found at Las Vegas casino resorts, your best option is to go to Las Vegas or New York. Nevertheless, hearing a band play your favorite tunes live can still make for a rewarding night out.

Ohio Casino Market Overview

The Ohio casino industry has been quite lucrative and continues to grow. The 2017 AGA Survey of the Commercial Casino Industry titled ‘State of the States 2018’ reported that OH casinos earned $1.7 Billion in revenue in 2017. Because of the state’s 33% casino tax rate, half a billion dollars were generated for state programs. The annual commercial casino gaming revenue has steadily risen over the last five years and there is no indication that it won’t keep growing. If the state decides to legalize sports gambling at casinos in Ohio, the territory will generate even more money.

Ohio Casino Map: List of All Gaming Locations

No matter what part of the state somebody finds themselves in, there is a gambling option for them. If you live near the border of OH, you can even benefit from the wealth of casinos near Ohio. Here is a list of all the legal casinos in Ohio as well as the Racinos found throughout the state.

Yellow: Casinos Purple: Racinos

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Casinos in Ohio: Your Guide to OH Gaming Options