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Before , legal casinos in Ohio were prohibited, as gamblers headed out of state to states like Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Michigan, and Indiana to get their action. That all changed in November , as casinos in Ohio became legal and plans began to open the state’s first brick-and-mortar casinos.

Now, there are 11 casinos in Ohio, all of which generate hundreds of millions in revenue for the state year after year. Continue reading for everything you need to know when it comes to casinos in Ohio.

Are there legal casinos in Ohio?

Yes, there are legal casinos in Ohio, as legislation passed in November to allow for brick-and-mortar casinos to be legally opened in the state. Via a constitutional amendment (Article XV, Section 6 (c)), the legislation was passed as it was approved by 52% of the voters, which initially allowed for skill-based games only.

It would take nearly three years for the first casino to open its doors, when in four land-based casinos opened up across the state. This was a direct result of the passage of the Casino Control Law, which formed the Ohio Casino Control Commission and in the process, regulated games of chance.

This new commission was assigned duties that it performs to this day including regulating, investigations, licensing, and total jurisdiction on all things casino gaming.

Fast forward to , and there are now 11 Ohio casinos for residents to choose from, all of which offer classic casino games, as well as a few now offering sports betting.

List of all casinos in Ohio

The Buckeye State is home to 11 casinos, all of which offer their own set of unique features and offerings. Without further ado, let’s take a closer look at all casinos in Ohio that residents and visitors of the state can visit today.

• Belterra Park Cincinnati
• Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs
• Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati
• Hollywood Casino Columbus
• Hollywood Casino Toledo
• Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway
• Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course
• JACK Cleveland Casino
• JACK Thistledown Racino
• MGM Northfield Park
• Miami Valley Gaming

Belterra Park Cincinnati

Previously known as River Downs, this property originally opened in May with more than 1, video lottery terminals and no table games or slots to speak of. Located just outside of Cincinnati, Belterra Park Gaming & Entertainment Center is officially a racino, meaning it also has a horse track on the property.

Owned by Gaming and Leisure Properties (GLP) with an operating license from Boyd Gaming, Belterra Park Cincinnati primarily attracts customers for its race track, with its video lottery terminals mostly being an added bonus. With more than 45, square feet of gaming space, however, there’s something for everyone at Belterra.

Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs

Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs is another racino-style property, operating primarily as a horse race track first and casino second. With more than 2, video lottery terminals, Eldorado also features no tables. 

The property opened up in June , originally known as Scioto Downs Racino as the Columbus-based property was one of the first legal gambling facilities in the state. In addition to their video lottery terminals, Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs offers harness racing and a horse racing simulcast facility where you can bet on races throughout the country. Owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment, the property also offers a live music venue and entertainment facility.

Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati

Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati is located in the northeast area of downtown and is just over a mile away from Great American Ball Park and Paycor Stadium. Opened in , the venue was previously known as Jack Cincinnati Casino and Horseshoe Cincinnati; Hard Rock took over ownership in

With more than 2, slot machines, 85 table games, and 31 World Series of Poker tables, you're certain to find a way to scratch your gambling itch at Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati!

Hollywood Casino Columbus

Located just outside of Columbus, Hollywood Casino Columbus was opened in October , as one of the first full-scale casinos in Ohio. Owned by Gaming and Leisure Properties and operated by Penn Entertainment, Hollywood Casino Columbus is one of the biggest casinos Ohio has to offer.

Featuring more than 2, slots, 70 table games, and a massive poker room, Hollywood Casino Columbus also features more than half a dozen restaurants including the famous burger shop Wahlburgers. Coming in at more than , square feet, Hollywood Casino Columbus remains one of the largest casino properties in the midwest.

Hollywood Casino Toledo

Hollywood Casino Toledo was the first of the Hollywood properties to open in Ohio, opening its doors in May of Also owned by Gaming and Leisure Properties and operated by Penn Entertainment, Hollywood Casino Toledo features total gaming space at just over , feet.

With more than 2, slot machines, 60 table games, and 20 poker tables, the property is a favorite of gamblers in the Toledo area. There are also three terrific restaurants on the property including the Final Cut Steak & Seafood, Take 2 Grill, and Shobu by Kengo.

Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway

Raceway Park originally opened its doors in in Toledo, Ohio, featuring both car racing and thoroughbred racing. In , Governor John Kasich passed legislation to allow for video lottery terminals at Ohio racetracks, including Raceway Park. Because Toledo had its Hollywood Casino Toledo, Gaming and Leisure Entertainment moved the racetrack to Dayton as it evolved into a racino in the process. 

The move happened in , with Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway officially opening its doors on August 28, With more than 1, video lottery terminals, the property also features a ⅝ mile oval and holds notable horse races such as the Dayton Pacing Derby.

Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course

Located in Austintown, Ohio just outside of Youngstown, Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course was opened to replace Beulah Park Racetrack in Columbus, OH. Opening its doors in September , the horse race track features a one-mile dirt course with a grandstand surrounding it.

In addition to the horse race track, the Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course racino features almost 1, video lottery terminals. Also on the property is a Simulcast Teletheater, where gamblers can wager on horse races outside of Ohio across the country.

JACK Cleveland Casino

Formerly known as the Horseshoe Cleveland, JACK Cleveland Casino is located directly in downtown Cleveland, OH in the historic (former) Higbee’s Building in Tower City Center, just off Public Square. As one of the most well-known casinos in Ohio, JACK Cleveland opened its doors in May to much fanfare, as the facility features more than , square feet of more than table games, 1, slot machines, 28 poker tables, and 35 electronic table games.

There are three hotels adjoined to the property the Renaissance, Ritz Carlton, and Marriott at Key Center, all of which offer rooms to guests. Open 24 hours a day, the JACK Cleveland Casino has also partnered with local downtown Cleveland restaurants to offer access for guests around the clock. With the real estate owned by Vici Properties following a deal, the operating license is held by Jack Entertainment.

JACK Thistledown Racino

Another one of Ohio’s famed racinos, JACK Thistledowns opened its doors on April 9, , featuring 1, video lottery terminals and no table games, per Ohio racino rules. Located in North Randoll, OH, JACK Thistledown is best known for its thoroughbred race track, which was originally opened in and features both thoroughbred and harness racing.

Owned by Vici Properties and operated by Jack Entertainment, JACK Thistledown Racino was included in a deal that involved its sister property JACK Cleveland Casino. Featuring a one-mile dirt oval, the track is home to some premier races throughout the year including the Grade III Ohio Derby.

MGM Northfield Park

MGM Resort and Casinos made their way into the Ohio casino market in December , opening MGM Northfield Park Racino. Featuring more than 2, video lottery terminals, as per the Ohio Racino regulations, there are no table games on the property.

Even still, MGM Northfield Park is amongst the largest casinos in Ohio, featuring more than , square feet of total gaming space. As for the racetrack, Northfield Park was originally opened in and features a half-mile oval. Throughout the year, MGM Northfield Park features more than harness racing nights annually, making it amongst the most active horse racing tracks in Ohio.

Miami Valley Gaming

Opening in December as a replacement for Lebanon Raceway, Miami Valley Gaming features a horse race track and more than 2, video lottery terminals. A joint venture between Delaware North Companies and the famed Churchill Downs, Inc., the track features live racing throughout the week from the spring through early fall.

As part of the ,square-foot gaming space, there is also a simulcasting space that features horse races from harness tracks throughout the country, seven days a week. Thanks to a addition, Miami Valley Gaming also now features a large patio and high-limit rooms, making it one of the most unique casinos in Ohio.

Are any new casinos opening in Ohio in the future?

No, there are no plans for any new casinos opening in Ohio in the near future. With 11 casinos and racinos scattered throughout the state, however, there is no shortage of casinos in Ohio for residents of the Buckeye State to visit and gamble at.

History of Ohio casinos

While there are nearly a dozen brick-and-mortar casinos in Ohio today, the road to legalization and their opening didn’t happen overnight. Let’s take a closer look at a brief history of Ohio casinos, tracking their progress throughout time.

• : Pari-mutuel betting on horse races was approved by the Ohio General Assembly, introducing legal gambling to Ohio residents for the first time.
• : What is now known as the Ohio Lottery was approved by Ohio Voters, as the Ohio Lotto Commission was formed and the first ticket went on sale the next year.
• : KENO games, a type of skilled gambling computer machine game, were introduced at bars and other establishments The Ohio Lottery Commission oversaw the rollout and regulation of the industry.
• : In the November elections, 52% of Ohio voters passed a bill legalizing gambling at casinos throughout the state. The Ohio Casino Control Commission was formed, paving the way for legal casinos to open throughout the Buckeye State.
• : The first full-scale casino was opened in Toledo, OH, as Penn National Gaming opened up Hollywood Casino Toledo with more than 2, slot machines and 60 table games. Later that year, Horseshow Casino Cleveland opened as well, with nearly 2, slot machines, 90 table games, and 30 poker tables.

Cities in Ohio with casinos

In Ohio, several cities boast land-based casinos, each offering unique experiences and a wide array of gaming options.