There’s no shortage of sights to see during an Ohio vacation. You’ll want to visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame or the Columbus Zoo. Hike a nature trail at Cuyahoga National Park. Take in a Cleveland Browns game, or maybe an Ohio State football game.
If you want, place a bet on one of those games, too. Retail and online sports betting are legal in Ohio, as is land-based casino gambling. Pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing is also abundant in the state.
You’ll need to be at least 21 years old to do any serious gambling in Ohio.
Ohio features four commercially operated land-based casinos. Legalized in 2009, each of those sites offers electronic gaming devices, table games, and sports betting. Commercial casinos are regulated by the Ohio Casino Control Commission. There are also seven racinos. Situated in partnership with state racetracks, these sites are limited to electronic gaming devices and sports betting. All racinos are regulated by the Ohio Lottery Commission.
Hollywood Casino Columbus
- 200 Georgesville Road, Columbus, OH 43228
- 855-617-4206
- hollywoodcolumbus.com
The chance to get rich quickly awaits you on the more than 800 progressive jackpot slots accessible inside Hollywood Casino Columbus. You’ll also find 14 video poker progressives. A selection of 65 table games features, blackjack, craps, mini baccarat, roulette, Pai Gow Poker, and Crazy 4 Poker.
Play Omaha and Texas Hold’em among the 34 tables inside the casino poker room. At the Bet ESPN Sportsbook, grab a burger and a pint while betting on sports, and then watch the games you bet on their big screen TVs.
Beyond the gaming floor action, Hollywood Casino Columbus delivers fabulous dining experiences of delectable entrees and provides access to magnificent nightlife. Wahlburgers offers gourmet burgers, while there’s Asian fare at Zen Noodle. Pizza is on the menu at Mikey’s Late Night Slice, and quick bites can be grabbed at Dirty Frank’s Hot Dog Palace. If it’s a drink you seek, try The Lounge at Final Cut.
If you like being the entertainment, grab the mic at the outdoor karaoke bar. If you’d rather watch pros, acts like Tiffany Haddish and Deon Cole play at Hollywood Casino Columbus.
Hollywood Casino Columbus offers specially negotiated rates with some of the area’s highest-rated hotels.
MGM Northfield Park
- 10777 Northfield Road, Northfield, OH 44067
- 330-908-7625
- mgmnorthfieldpark.mgmresorts.com
If you’re someone who likes a little casino action, as well as betting on sports or the ponies, then MGM Northfield Park awaits as a one-stop shopping experience. Take to the gaming floor to play amongst 1,600 VLT machines. Try one of the 70 VLTs inside the high limit room, offering the potential to win jackpots that can grow to as much as $250,000. There’s even 8,000 square feet of gaming space on the climate-controlled all-season patio, featuring 240 VLTs, a designated smoking area, and full beverage service.
Inside the BetMGM Sportsbook, dine and drink from the menu at Taps Sports Bar while you watch and wager on your favorite sporting events. Of course, Northfield began life as a racetrack and still offers pari-mutuel wagering on live harness racing, with over 200 dates every year. Dine at Lady Luck’s Clubhouse and wager on the live card or simulcast racing from around the world.
Fine dining is available at Valley’s Edge Steak & Seafood or Concerto Italian Kitchen. If it’s variety you seek, the Buffet can fill that bill. The Neon Room and Neon Bar are where you can explore the area’s nightlife. World-class acts like the Gin Blossoms perform at Center Stage.
Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati
- 100 Broadway Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
- 513-250-3150
- casino.hardrock.com/cincinnati
The 1,600 slots on the gaming floor at Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati feature old-school reels to new-age video slots complete with themes. There are jackpot games, and the slot population is constantly being upgraded with the newest machines. If table games are your preference, choose from nearly 100 options, including blackjack, baccarat, craps, roulette, Pai Gow Progressive, ultimate Texas Hold’em and three-card poker.
Speaking of poker, the poker room offers the chance to play live-action Texas hold ’em or Omaha. Tournament opportunities are also available. Multiple betting windows and large LED displays welcome you into the Hard Rock Sportsbook.
Council Oaks Steak & Seafood is your choice for fine dining. Get a slice or a pie at Brick’d Pizza, or some pub fare at Hard Rock Cafe. Youyu offers a taste of Asia. When it’s time for coffee, the Constant Grind will answer that need. There are also seven on-site bars offering access to nightlife or the chance to dance the night away.
The Event Center welcomes acts like Ludacris, Gabriel Iglesias, and The O’Jays. In the warmer months, live entertainment performs on the Outdoor Lawn.
The Hard Rock Casino offers play and stay packages in conjunction with Cincinnati hotels.
Belterra Park
- 6301 Kellogg Road, Cincinnati, OH 45230
- 513-232-8000
- belterrapark.boydgaming.com
Belterra Park in Cincinnati began life as a racetrack in 1925. Today, it’s a multi-purpose gaming facility, offering live racing accompanied by a racino featuring some 1,200 VLTs. You can also wager on sports at FanDuel Sportsbook.
The facility is located along the banks of the Ohio River. Belterra Park is situated next to the Coney Island water park and Riverbend Music Center, so there’s easily accessible fun for the whole family.
Pari-mutuel wagering on live thoroughbred racing is offered from May to October, with wagering on simulcasting of other tracks accessible every day.
Enjoy a juicy steak at Chef’s Table. More casual fare is offered at Burger Brothers and The Stadium Sports Bar & Grill. If you fancy craft beer or a cocktail, the B Bar and Club 38 are at the ready. Live entertainment performs at The Stadium and Chef’s Table.
Jack Casino Cleveland
- 100 Public Square, Cleveland, OH 4411
- 216-297-4777
- jackentertainment.com
Located in the heart of Cleveland, Jack Casino offers 100,000 square feet of gaming space. The casino houses 1,609 slot machines, 119 table games, 28 poker tables, and 35 electronic table games.
The casino operates 24 hours a day and is completely smoke-free. However, you can light up on the Revel Oak Outdoor gaming and smoking patio. Table game choices include blackjack, roulette, baccarat, Face Up Pai Gow Poker, I Love Suits, and Mississippi Stud. The poker room offers live action hold ’em and Omaha, along with regular tournaments. Inside the 6,000-square-foot sportsbook, play table games and bet on sports from stadium-style seating.
Dining options include Seven Chef’s Buffet, Stack’d, American Burger Bar, Wahlburgers, and Starbucks. Several other area restaurants offer discounts in partnership with Jack Casino. Jack Casino also offers discounts in partnership with area hotels.
Ohio Horse Racing Venues
Ohio is home to one of the most vibrant horse racing communities in North America. Pari-mutuel wagering is offered on live thoroughbred and harness racing at six tracks around the state.
Live harness racing is accessible at Northfield Park, Scioto Downs, Miami Valley, and Dayton Raceway. Thoroughbred racing takes place at Belterra Park and Mahoning Valley Race Course. The Little Brown Jug, the most famous event in harness racing, is held every fall in Delaware, Ohio.
Cedar Downs offers a simulcast-only schedule. Simulcasting and advance deposit wagering are legal throughout the state. As well, several fair tracks hold live racing meets during the summer months.
Online Sports Betting in Ohio & The Best Sportsbook Apps
There are 15 licensed online sportsbooks in Ohio. The best betting sites include:
- Bet365,
- BetRivers,
- Fanatics OH,
- ESPN Bet,
- Hard Rock Bet.
Ohio approved legalized retail and online sports betting on January 1, 2023. More than 50 bars and restaurants offer access to sports betting kiosks.
A vacationer in Ohio can open an account and bet on sports with any of these sites as long as they are of legal age and physically located within state lines.
Ohio online sports betting markets: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college sports, boxing, MMA/UFC, soccer, tennis, golf, auto racing, cornhole, futsal, Gaelic Games, rugby, cricket, chess, darts, surfing.
Ohio online sports betting types: Moneylines, point spreads, runlines, pucklines, totals, futures, parlays, same-game parlays, player, team, and game props, live betting, micro betting, double chance, forecast, double result, grand salami, reverse forecast, robin, teasers.
Ohio Online Casinos
Although online casino gambling is illegal in Ohio, there are currently two bills before state lawmakers seeking to legalize online casinos.
Until they have success, your only options are free-to-play social and sweepstakes casinos like Crown Coins Casino, Real Prize Casino, and Stake.us Casino. Several Ohio casinos also offer access to free-to-play online versions of their casino games.
