Find Your Favorite Ohio Casinos in 2026

Lynsey Thompson

Updated by Lynsey Thompson

Casino Expert

Michael Graham

Fact Checked by Michael Graham

Content Editor

Last Updated 8th Apr 2026, 03:33 PM

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Welcome to the Buckeye State and the traveler’s guide to Ohio casinos. If you’ve got plans to visit, you’ll discover that Ohio comes with two kinds of gambling services. This guide covers the gaming facilities available through state-licensed commercial casinos as well as established racetracks.

Ohio is a relatively new entrant in the gambling industry. Following a 2009 vote, the first land-based casino opened in 2012. Since then, the state has operated exclusively with commercial casinos while expanding its offerings to build on strong horse racing traditions and to support local communities through charitable gambling initiatives, including nonprofit-run bingo events.

Hopefully, this guide gets you out and about and hit its casinos. The doors are always open. Welcome to Ohio.

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Ohio Casinos at a Glance

11 Registered Casinos
21 Min. Gambling Age
Yes Poker Rooms
Yes Racinos
Yes Sportsbooks

Overview of Land-Based Gambling in Ohio

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|When it comes to casinos in Ohio, there are two distinct types of service: four commercial land-based casinos regulated by the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) and seven racinos. These racetrack venues are regulated by the Ohio Lottery Commission because they offer Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) to visitors. 

All services were voter-approved, with no tribal gaming in the casino framework, making it one of the few large states with no tribal casinos. On that note, the Hark Rock Cincinnati establishment is corporately owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida but functions as a state-licensed commercial casino. 

What makes Ohio’s land-based gambling scene interesting is its balance between accessibility and regulation. 

You won’t find casinos on every street corner, but there are enough strategically placed venues to keep both casual players and seasoned gamblers entertained.

Commercial Casinos in Ohio

Visit the four largest cities in Ohio, and you will find a land-based casino with its doors open. These properties only entered the market in 2012, making this a relatively new venture for the state. These are the four commercial casinos in Ohio you can visit.

JACK Cleveland Casino

JACK Cleveland Casino

JACK Entertainment presents entertainment like no other within its historic and stunning Higbee Building. Inside, you can play table games, poker, and slot machines. Food includes Seven Chefs Buffet and Stacked. You’re also not far from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati

Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati

Hard Rock International is home to the World Series of Poker. This also includes other traditional table games and slots. You can also relax in the Hard Rock Café, enjoy live music, or eat inside the Council Oak Steaks restaurant. You’re also not far from the Over-the-Rhine district.

Hollywood Casino Columbus

Hollywood Casino Columbus

PENN Entertainment presents a Vegas-style establishment with plenty of slots, table games, and poker. Fuel your gaming with a visit to the Final Cut Steakhouse or Zen Noodle. Smokers can enjoy the patio, and outside, you have the hands-on science exhibits, which are downtown at the Center of Science and Industry.

Hollywood Casino Toledo

Hollywood Casino Toledo

Take in the view of the Maumee River at this Penn Entertainment-operated casino. Inside, you have plenty of slots, lavish table games, and a poker room. After, you can dine at the Sports Bar to refuel. In Toledo, you can also visit the award-winning aquarium and zoo.

Racinos in Ohio

Ohio racinos are located at established horse racing tracks, and there are 7 of them. If horse racing is your thing, then head on out to one of these locations, which are the busiest in the Midwest. It’s so popular that the combined revenue exceeds what the four commercial casinos rake in. What makes them racinos besides the horses? Well, the properties also present VLTs for you to play on. Racinos are not allowed any other form of gambling or game. Sportsbooks are also authorized and found within all seven sites. 

All racino sites are regulated by the Ohio State Racing Commission (OSRC), while VLTs are regulated by the OLC.

Cleveland/Northeast Ohio

  • MGM Northfield Park: Owned by VICI Properties and operated by MGM/Clairvest, this racino comes with plenty of VLTs and has a BetMGM Sportsbook. You can bet on harness racing with the Tap Sports Bar as a place to celebrate any successful results. 
  • JACK Thistledown Racino: This racetrack is run by JACK Entertainment. You have VLTs, live thoroughbred racing, and the betJACK Sportsbook. The grandstand is climate-controlled, and you can watch the Ohio Derby every summer. 

Columbus Area

  • Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs: Caesars Entertainment operates this racecourse with its sportsbook service, VLTs, and harness racing. Inside, you also have the accommodation and a Bre Brothers microbrewery.

Cincinnati Area

  • Belterra Park Gaming & Entertainment Center: Operated by Boyd Gaming and owned by Gaming and Leisure Properties. Visitors to this site can enjoy the VLTs, the FanDuel Sportsbook, and the thoroughbred horse racing events. Why not take in the views of the Ohio River while you’re here?

Dayton/Southwest Ohio

  • Miami Valley Gaming: This racino is owned by Delaware North and Churchill Downs. On-site, you can enjoy harness racing, VLTs, and the MVGBet Sportsbook. Live entertainment is on hand along with the Cin City Steakhouse.
  • Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway: Operated by PENN Entertainment while owned by GLPI. The racino comes with the Hollywood Sportsbook, VLTs, and live harness racing events. Enjoy your success inside the Skybox Sports Bar.

Northeast Ohio (Youngstown Area)

  • Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course: Put your bets on the thoroughbred racing that takes place on this one-mile round racetrack. Indulge in the Hollywood Sportsbook and enjoy the experience of VLTs inside the sports bar. 

Poker Rooms in Ohio

Ohio casino poker rooms only appear in all four of our commercial casinos. Like in many US states, the poker out here sees players playing against each other and not against the house. The casino is able to make its money by charging fees to take part. Some of the poker games you can play include No Limit Hold ‘Em and Pot Limit Omaha.

  • JACK Cleveland Casino
  • Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati
  • Hollywood Casino Columbus
  • Hollywood Casino Toledo
Warning Banner IconImportant Notice
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If you head out to these locations to take part in poker tournaments, do double-check schedules and times as they are subject to change. Buy-in prices will also vary between venues and events.

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Horse Racing in Ohio

Ohio racetracks are hugely popular and present visitors with both harness and thoroughbred racing across multiple tracks. When it comes to VLT terminals, Ohio racinos give punters an extra source of entertainment.

Horse racing in Ohio isn’t just limited to the state, as simulcast betting allows you to bet on races taking place throughout the US. Visitors must be 18 or older to participate in parimutuel wagering. One of the biggest events out here is our harness race, the Little Brown Jug, which takes place at Delaware County Fairgrounds in Delaware, Ohio, not at a racino. 

Active live racing tracks, race schedules, and season dates:

RacinoLocationRacing TypeSeason DatesDays & Time
Northfield ParkNear ColumbusHarnessAll YearMon, Tue, Wed, Thurs, Sat at 6:00pm
Scioto DownsColumbusHarnessMay 7 - Oct 24Tue, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat at 5:45pm
Miami ValleyLebanonHarnessJan 4 - May 2Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed at 4:00pm
Dayton RacewayDaytonHarnessSep - DecMon, Tue, Thurs, Fri, Sat at 4:00pm
Belterra ParkCincinnatiThoroughbredApril - OctTue, Wed, Thurs, Fri at 1:30pm
Mahoning Valley Race CourseNear YoungstownThoroughbredJan - AprilMon, Tue, Wed, Sat at 12:45pm
JACK Thistledown RacinoNorth RandallThoroughbredApril - OctMon, Tue, Wed, Thurs at 12:50pm

 

*Cedar Downs is an off-track betting facility that provides simulcast betting only, so no live racing. 

Charitable Gambling in Ohio

Are there charitable gambling events in Ohio to visit? Sure, when you head out this way, you’ll like come across a variety of well-established charitable events that are all active in supporting the local communities. This non-profit gaming culture centers on bingo and instant bingo. Such events are organized to produce funding for local causes. Events are licensed and regulated by the Ohio Attorney General's Charitable Law Section, the Ohio Revised Code (Chapter 2915), and the Ohio Constitution. 

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Responsible Gambling

Before you take part in any gambling activity, be sure to stick to your spending limits. Never go over your budget, take breaks, and treat these services only as adult fun, not a viable source of income. When the fun stops, think about stopping yourself. 

We and the state of Ohio support responsible gambling, and you can find more information and help by calling the National Problem Gambling Helpline on 1-800-GAMBLER. You can also use direct state support on the Ohio helpline 1-800-589-9966. For self-exclusion programs, please visit the Casinocontrol.ohio.gov website. The Statewide Voluntary Exclusion Program was launched in 2019 and puts more power in the hands of players, ensuring that the enjoyment of our casinos and race tracks never gets out of hand. 

Legal Disclaimer

Our guide to Ohio casinos is for informational purposes only and should not be misconstrued as a guide to financial gain or provide users with gambling or other advice. Gambling is relatively new in Ohio, so legislation and regulations can change. As recently as 2025, bills on online access were considered in the context of eBingo and other online games. This matter is still not concluded within the 136th General Assembly.

FAQs

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Meet The Author

10 Years
Experience
Lynsey Thompson
Lynsey Thompson
Casino Expert Casino Expert

Lynsey is a regular Las Vegas visitor and a keen slots and roulette player. As well as significant experience as a writer in the iGaming and gambling industries as an expert reviewer and journalist, Lynsey is one half of the popular Las Vegas YouTube Channel and Podcast 'Begas Vaby’. When she is not in Las Vegas or wishing she was in Las Vegas, Lynsey can usually be found pursuing her other two main interests of sports and theatre.

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Disclosure
This review is based on the writer's personal opinion
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