Casinos in Ohio
One of the most recent states to join the casino gambling party was Ohio, aka the Buckeye State. Only in recent years has the state made it lawful to gamble in some ways. Since then, a number of racinos and several world-class Ohio casinos have established their presence there.
Yet, real money online casino Ohio sites are not a thing here, nor are there any big discussions to change that, but as we know, things have changed a lot across the US in the last few years, so there is still hope.
Top Gambling Cities in Ohio
The state of Ohio is home to a sizable number of commercial casinos and racinos. You can play table games or slots at the largest commercial casinos, or you can play video lottery terminals (VLTs) at the racino while placing a pari-mutuel wager down at the track.
Here we pick the top casino city in Ohio along with a few more options that will all bring you that full casino experience you are looking for.
Cincinnati
Cincinnati is home to one of the largest casino sites in Ohio, and this comes in the shape of Hard Rock Casino. You get over 100 table games, well over 1500 slot machines to spin through, electronic games, poker options, and some decent bar-top poker games as well.
All of that is on top of the classic Hard Rock experience! You also have Belterra Park to get amongst the casino and racing entertainment. Cincinnati is the hot spot for gambling in Ohio right now!
In these venues, you'll find slots from:
Light and Wonder
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Cleveland
Jack Casino in Cleveland is the other major casino complex in Ohio, full of high rollers and weekend casual punters looking for fun. Slot machines are aplenty, and you will always find poker, craps, blackjack, and roulette tables to walk up to and play.
Some of the most popular slots in these casinos are from:
Columbus
Columbus is home to Hollywood Casino, a winning experience whether you come out with extra money or not, or so they say in Columbus! The only Vegas-style gaming venue in the area delivers all the top casino games you would need. Look no further if you tend to opt for casinos in Ohio with slot machines.
Many of the slots that you'll find are powered by:
A surplus of games along with dining, nightlife, and additional entertainment to explore, this really is the Hollywood-Ohio experience. If you want something a bit lower key, try out Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs, with over 2,000 games and plenty of high-limit and low wagering available.
Overview of Gambling in Ohio
Still, the legalization of casinos in Ohio only took place in 2012, making it one of the last markets in the area to open up. Except for Kentucky, all the surrounding states actively enticed Ohio gamblers to their own casinos. Voters in Ohio made a snap decision to protect local employment and money.
Charitable gambling is also a significant industry in Ohio. The recent uptick in gaming activity in this region comes on the heels of a significant population boom and a surge in popularity for Ohio, which has propelled it into the top 10 of the United States’ most populous and most popular states.
In the online world of Ohio, online casino sites are still not regulated. We’ll talk more about that shortly, but now some Ohio casino suggestions.
Top Casinos in Ohio
Ohioans used to make the same gaming pilgrimage as many Americans until the state legislature passed some new laws prohibiting it. Voters in Ohio approved the state's first land-based casinos in 2009, and now there are four Las Vegas-style casinos operating in the state of Ohio.
There is at least one casino in each of the four largest cities (Toledo, Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati). Gaming in Ohio is now thriving, and visitors may choose from a wide variety of slot machines and classic table games, including roulette, blackjack, craps, baccarat, poker, and more.
Gambling History in Ohio
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Online Gambling in Ohio
The Ohio Casino Control Commission, which was established in 2011 in response to the Ohio Casino Control Law, regulates all casino entertainment. It also oversees skill-based entertainment devices, casinos, table games, and skill-based amusement machines (SBAMs). But the question remains for many readers, is online gambling legal in Ohio? Let’s look at that in more detail.
Legal Betting in Ohio
The first point to mention is that Ohio has previously proved its willingness to authorize at least some forms of internet gambling. The state's decision to regulate daily fantasy sports is a strong indicator that there isn't a complete brick wall of legislative opposition to online gambling.
Second, in a huge statement of intent, betting on sports will soon be legal in the state of Ohio. In December 2021, the Ohio Legislature was passed as officials voted in favor of HB 29 (sports betting bill), and on December 22nd, Governor Mike DeWine signed the bill into law. The beginning of online sports betting operations is scheduled for January '23.
Will Online Casinos Be Legalized in Ohio Soon?
Finally, we should mention that Ohio is bordered geographically by a lot of legal online betting activity. West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Michigan have pushed on with positive betting laws, but Kentucky is holding back.
So, in conclusion, there are several reasons to be positive when talking about any online casino Ohio potential. There has been the most progress toward legalizing sports betting online, but a lot can change in the state legislature, meaning there could be a turnaround for online casino wagering in the future. We can only sit tight and see what happens over the coming years.
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Ohio Online PokerOnline poker is still yet to be legalized in Ohio. The popular game is lumped in with online casino gaming, so while people across the state cannot legally play the game online at the moment, there are talks of bringing online poker into the legal realm. In doing so, Ohio would then have the clean sweep of online betting and gaming, poker included. |
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Ohio Sports BettingIn 2021, Ohio's legislature made history by approving legal sports betting Ohio sites, a major step toward the completion of the legalization of a full online gambling service across the Buckeye State. Ohio citizens still have to sit tight and wait it out a bit longer for any legally sanctioned sports betting Ohio platforms, as complete access to online bets has been pinned down to begin from January 2023. |
Ohio Sports Betting Tribal Gaming
As it stands, Ohio does not have any connections to tribal gaming venues, despite several discussions taking place over the last few decades. It doesn’t look like this stance will change any time soon, either.
Ohio Casinos FAQs
Are free drinks served at any casinos in Ohio?
Currently, there are no known casinos in the State of Ohio that offer free drinks at their casinos. Ohio state law prohibits the giving away of free alcoholic beverages.
What is the legal gambling age in Ohio?
The legal age depends on the specific gambling activity. Bingo is legal at age 16. The legal age for the state lottery or horse racing is 18, and in land-based casinos, you need to be 21 or older.
Is online gambling legal in Ohio?
There are currently no legal online casinos in Ohio. They are currently focusing all legislative attention on sports betting. However, online casino slots and games could soon be a reality as the next legal steps are being discussed.
What is the most popular casino in Ohio?
The Hollywood Casino Columbus is the biggest casino in the state of Ohio and offers round-the-clock entertainment with over 2210 slot machines and over 100 table games. It also boasts one of the largest poker rooms.
Is sports betting legal in Ohio?
Yes, sports betting is now legal in Ohio. Bettors in the state can wager on sports from a wide range operators, including DraftKings and FanDuel.
When was gambling legalized in Ohio?
Land-based casinos in Ohio were made legal in 2012, and sports betting in 2021. Ohio was one of the last states in the region to be legalized.
How much does Ohio tax gambling winnings?
In the state of Ohio, you will be subject to a 4% tax on your gambling winnings and will be obligated to fill in a form to declare such winnings on wagers.