Best Ohio Casinos & Gambling Laws Guide

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Paige | January 4, 2023 | Updated on: January 8th, 2024


Best Ohio Casinos USAOhio is a pretty pro-gambling state with 11 casinos and seven racetracks. They were one of the last states to legalize casinos in 2012. However, they were one of the first to allow horse racing back in 1933.

So, how can Ohio players get in on the action and start gambling? Well, we’ve got a pretty comprehensive guide in store. From online websites to brick-and-mortar casinos, we’ve covered everything OH gamblers need to know.

Before we get started, we have to warn players that this guide is strictly about legal forms of gambling in the state. We aren’t advertising illegal forms, and we don’t intend to. In our guide, we hope to educate players and help them stay on track. After all, federal and state punishments for misdemeanors are relatively strict.

Top Ohio Casino Websites

1
300% Bonus up to $3,000

Min Deposit: $25

Min Deposit: $25

Min Deposit: $25

300% Bonus up to $3,000 Min Deposit: $25 - Min Deposit: $25
2
Bonus up to $8000

Min Deposit: $10

Min Deposit: $10

Min Deposit: $10

Bonus up to $8000 Min Deposit: $10 - Min Deposit: $10
3
350% Bonus up to $3,500

Min Deposit: $25

Min Deposit: $25

Min Deposit: $25

350% Bonus up to $3,500 Min Deposit: $30 - Min Deposit: $30
4
250% Bonus up to $5,000

Min Deposit: $20

Min Deposit: $20

Min Deposit: $20

250% Bonus up to $5,000 Min Deposit: $20 - Min Deposit: $20
1
Lucky Hippo Casino
300% Bonuses up to $3,000. Min Deposit: $25
T&Cs Apply
Valid for New Players Only. Use Bonus Code: HIPPO300. Get 300% Bonus up to $3,000. Can be redeemed three times, for up to $9,000 in bonuses. Only valid for deposits of $25 or more. 45x Wagering Requirement.
2
Red Dog
100% Bonus up to $8,000. Min Deposit: $10
T&Cs Apply
18+. New players only. 100% Bonus up to $8,000. Use Bonus Code: REDINVITE. Minimum Deposit to qualify is $10. 40x Wagering Requirement.
3
Wild Casino
350% Bonus up to $3,500. Min Deposit: $25
T&Cs Apply
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4
Vegas Aces Casino
250% Bonus up to $5,000. Min Deposit: $10
T&Cs Apply
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 250% Bonus up to $5,000. This bonus only applies for deposits of $10 or higher! 35x Wagering Requirement.
300% Bonuses up to $2,000
4.1
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 300% Bonuses up to $2,000. COUPON CODE: HIGHWINS. This bonus only applies for deposits of $10 or higher! 35x Wagering
200% up to $2,000
4.2
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 200% Bonus up to $2,000, can be claimed 7x. This bonus only applies for deposits of $35 or higher! 50x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: 7DAYWELCOME200

Ohio Casinos & Gambling

  • Year Ohio Regulated Gambling: Horse racing (1933), Lottery (1974), Bingo (1975), and Casinos (2012).
  • Estimated Tax Revenue from Gambling: $1.1 billion.
  • Estimated Gambling Revenue: $3.5 billion.
  • Ohio Gambling Age: 18 for lottery, Bingo, and racing, 21 for casinos.
  • Smoking ban: Ohio requires casino smoking areas to have outside ventilation.
  • Ohio Online gambling: Horse racing is the only form of legal online gambling.

Types of Online Ohio Gambling Allowed

For Ohio gambling on the web, the only form allowed is off-track betting. In the state, TwinSpires and TVG accept bets from residents. Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) operators take bets from the state, claiming that it’s a skill-based game, not one of chance. There are also a vast number of casino sites taking Ohio players, but they aren’t licensed there.

Ohio Gambling USA

Ohio Gambling Laws

In Ohio, the minimum gambling age is 18 years at licensed venues. Meanwhile, the minimum gambling age for casinos is 21 years-old by law. First, gambling offenses are a first-degree misdemeanor.

Further offenses are fifth-degree felonies according to the gambling laws. While prison sentences vary, they are required for multiple-offenders.

Charities that offer raffles and Bingo have to pay a $200 license fee per year. However, new organizations must pay $500 for their first license. These licenses are available to fraternal, religious, rescue, and war veteran administrations.

Once, charities could offer poker tournaments to raise money. But they were forced out in 2013. Legally, Ohio casinos also offer tables games and casino gaming machines.

Ohio Gambling Laws

Top Casinos and Racinos in OH

The Lottery Commission oversees all gambling in this Southern State. This includes racetracks and casinos, along with other gambling. Racinos, or racetrack casinos, offer both racing bets and casino gambling, so be sure to visit.

Casino Size Address Website
Hollywood Casino – Columbus 2,200 Slot Machines 200 Georgesville Rd. www.hollywoodcolumbus.com
Hollywood Casino – Toledo 2,000 Slot Machines 1968 Miami St. www.hollywoodcasinotoledo.com
Horseshoe Casino – Cincinnati 2,000 Slot Machines 1000 Broadway St. www.caesars.com/horseshoe
Horseshoe Casino – Cleveland 1,600 Slot Machines 100 Public Square www.caesars.com/horseshoe

OH Gambling History

Horse racing betting is one of the oldest forms of gambling in the state. Back in the 1800s, tracks in Cleveland hosted unregulated quarter-mile races.

As a result, the Central Trotting Circuit was created to address problems at the tracks. Then, state officials decided to take over in 1933 and regulate race tracks further. They also started a commission to handle the races and off-track issues.

Until the mid-1970s, no other forms of gambling were allowed. Then, the state lottery was approved by voters, as well as Bingo and raffles.

By the 90s, casinos were approved in other states, OH gamblers took their bets to Pennsylvania, Indiana, Michigan, and West Virginia. In 2009, voters approved four casinos and Racinos. Residents could finally enjoy games of chance.

Ohio’s first casino opened in 2012, and the Horseshoe Casino was immediately popular in Cleveland. Two weeks later, the Hollywood Casino also opened in Toledo.

Some grey areas remained, such as “charities” operating poker rooms. However, they were never charged, though they were all closed down by 2013. The only types of casinos allowed had to be licensed.

And finally, sweepstakes machines were introduced. These were another grey area which was soon closed by legislation.

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