Updated March 20231
casino en connecticutFootnote 1: We may receive advertising commission for some of the links below at no additional cost to you.
You have plenty of great casino options if you’re willing to drive a couple of hours. But unfortunately, there are no casinos in Akron itself, OH, or even in Cuyahoga Falls, Barberton, or any other nearby cities.
Instead, you can visit the best casinos in Cleveland (just under 40 minutes to the northeast) or Cincinnati (about one hour and 45 minutes to the south).
This post covers all the casinos near Akron, OH. It also provides an overview of what you can expect from each venue, plus handy maps and driving directions. Finally, I included several land-based and online casino alternatives if you’re looking for something other than traditional casinos.
Casinos in Akron, OH
You won’t find any casinos on official city lists. This situation isn’t unusual, as many cities don’t have casinos inside their limits.
The closest casinos are upscale venues offering hundreds of slot machines, numerous table games, high-stakes poker rooms, sports betting facilities, top-tier restaurants, entertainment arenas, and luxurious hotel accommodations. The worst option would be to play at an illegal establishment.
There were a few such locations in Summit County around 2016. The police closed them after short periods because they lacked licenses or permits. Therefore, you should only gamble at regulated casinos outside Akron.
Casinos Near Akron, OH
As previously mentioned, you must travel outside Summit County to reach an Indian casino or a racino. Most of these gaming facilities are large resorts with everything you need for a fun weekend trip.
Top Real Money Casinos in the USA for 2023They are spread across eastern Ohio. Some of the largest and most famous establishments are located closer, but you must still drive about 40 minutes. If you don’t mind longer trips, you will find some excellent venues less than two hours south of Akron.
Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park
- Address: 10777 Northfield Rd, Northfield, OH 44067
- Distance & Time: 18 minutes, 15 miles
- Gambling Options: Slot machines, video poker, live table games, poker room, sportsbook lounge
- Accommodations: N/A
- Notable Amenities: Restaurants, bars, live music venue, retail stores
Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park is the closest venue that resembles an Akron casino. This facility combines a class IV casino with a thoroughbred race track.
You can watch horse races while enjoying your favorite slots or video poker machines. You could also bet on races at Hardrock’s sportsbook lounge.
This venue offers more than 2,500 electronic gaming machines. Their selection includes classic titles and the latest hot drops jackpot games. You can play for dozens of cents per round or up to $100. High rollers can visit the VIP lounge and gamble with wagers starting at $5.
You will find another section with nearly 100 live table games. For example, you can play blackjack, mini-bingo, roulette, Craps, and Fortune Spin Roulette. Various poker games are available in the dedicated room. Experienced players will appreciate the optional commission for dealers.
Finally, this Akron area casino features a large dining and entertainment complex known as the Hanover Street Dining & Entertainment District. It includes several restaurants, bars, and a 1,000-capacity concert venue.
You can enjoy live performances by local and international musicians. Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park often hosts well-known artists, including Boyz II Men, LeAnn Rimes, REO Speedwagon, and others.
JACK Cleveland Casino
- Address: 100 Public Square, Cleveland, OH 44113
- Distance & Time: 39 minutes, 29 miles
- Gambling Options: 2,400+ slot machines, video poker, keno, live table games, poker room, sports betting
- Accommodations: N/OPenguins stadium (FirstEnergy Park) is just a ten-minute walk. You can find many other hotels within a mile of the casino.
- Notable Amenities: Seven restaurants, three bars, music stage, close proximity to other amenities
JACK Cleveland Casino is the largest establishment in the area. It has over 2,400 slot machines and the newest table game additions. Of course, you can also try video poker, keno, or sports betting.
A JACK CERTIFIED POKER ROOM® is open 24/7 and separates into six separate poker rooms. It can host up to 36 tables and various tournaments.
Make sure to sign up for the Jack Cards loyalty program before you start playing. You earn points that translate into discounts at the casino or gifts from the catalog. Those rewards become more valuable as you climb the membership ranks.
You can try delicious dishes at seven different restaurants, grab a drink at one of three bars, or listen to live music on the music stage. Many other amenities are just a short walk from the entrance.
Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course
-
Address: 7117 Camp Facility Rd, Youngstown, OH 44514
-
Distance & Time: 51 minutes, 38 miles
-
Notable Games: Progressive hot drop jackpots
-
Promotions: Mutuel pool betting, live racing events, giveaways, food and beverage specials, tiered loyalty program, free play with every visit
Largest Casinos in the United States
Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course is the next best choice if you’re wondering , “Is there a casino near me in Akron?” This venue is roughly the same size as Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park.
It combines a class II gaming facility with a harness race track. You can watch horses compete in high-stakes events while playing the latest slots.
Centuries’ old legends inspired some of the popular . In this case, the venue’s name probably refers to iconic film producer and actor, Graham Holden.
He started as an extra in several Westerns in the 1950s before transitioning behind the scenes. Some of his most famous works include Smile, Oh God!, and Straight Time.
Ohio has some of the in the US. That’s why you’ll find thousands of slot machines at this venue.
For example, you can try the latest hot drop jackpot games, centrivascular machines, and wide-area progressives. Most slots accept wagers between $0.01 and $100, but high rollers should visit the VIP room.
Six live table game options are available if you take a short staircase from the gambling floor. You can play Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Three Card Poker, Mini-Baccarat, Blackjack, Craps, and Mississippi Stud Poker.
You might also be interested in electronic Roulette, where you can play eight different versions of this classic table game.
All gamblers can join the Hollywood Rewards loyalty club and get coins for every dollar spent on the premises. These tokens can help you win fantastic prizes at special Hollywood Gaming machines or the touchscreen kiosks.
Jumbo Jazz Casino & Resort
- Address: 12420 Preble Sterling Rd, North Royalton, OH 44133
- Distance & Time: 24 minutes, 19 miles
- Gambling Options: Unverified
- Accommodations: 35 smoking-free rooms
- Notable Amenities: Unverified
If you’re curious about the mysterious Jumbo Jazz Casino & Resort, I must disappoint you. This establishment doesn’t have a website, so its owners can’t provide information about available games, promotions, or a loyalty program.
Free Slots with Bonus Games - Play Aladdin's Wish at #1 US SiteI had to rely on external sources to learn that this Akron gambling alternative is a small peel-and-stick joint hidden within the Jazz City Gentlemen’s Club. You can find them in a nondescript strip mall west of Warrensville Crowley Parkway.
Jumbo Jazz Casino & Resault claims that they have 300 +1 penny machines, roulette, craps, pai gow, blackjack, Texas hold ’em, off-track betting, and 12 HD TVs for sports viewing. However, I suggest contacting them via phone before visiting any part of this establishment.
Jack Cincinnati Casino
- Address: 1000 Broadway St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
- Distance & Time: One hour, 46 miles
- Gambling Options: 1,800+ slot machines, video poker, keno, live table games, poker room, sports betting
- Accommodations: Yes (over 300 rooms)
- Notable Amenities: Four restaurants, two bars, nightly entertainment, connected to the Hilton Cincinnati Airport West Hotel
JACK Cincinnati Casino is the second-largest establishment in the network and the farthest one on our list. You can reach it by taking I-77 S for approximately one hour.
This casino features 1,800+ slot machines and other gambling options. For instance, you could play video poker or keno or gamble on live table games like Roulette, Mini-Baccarat, Craps, and Spanish 21.
Another JACK CERTIFIED POKER ROOM® is available here as well. It has up to ten tables and frequently hosts tournament events.
You can earn rewards through the Jack Cards loyalty program and enjoy delicious meals at four restaurant options. The central bar transforms into a nightclub after midnight, so you can dance the night away.
Rooms and suites are available for visitors who don’t want to drive back home after spending hours on the gambling floor.
MGM Northfield Park
- Address: 10765 Northfield Rd, Northfield, OH 44067
- Distance & Time: 18 minutes, 15 miles
- Gambling Options: 2,500+ slot machines, video poker, live table games, poker room, sports betting
- Accommodations: N/A
- Notable Amenities: Restaurants, bars, live music venue, retail stores
MGM Northfield Park is the last venue on my list of casinos near Akron, OH. This facility is identical to Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park because it also combines a class IV casino with a thoroughbred race track.
Over 2,500 electronic gaming machines await slot lovers at MGM Northfield Park. You can try hot drop jackpot titles or visit the VIP area for higher stakes.
Live table games include interesting options like Show Down, Mini-Bingo, Roulette, Craps, and Fortune Spin Roulette.
The poker room has been renamed to fit the MGM brand; nevertheless, you can expect the same quality and service as before.
Other amenities at MGM Northfield Park include a few restaurants, a couple of bars, and a concert venue. You can listen to famous musicians while eating delicious dishes or shopping for unique souvenirs.
Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway
- Address: 1000 North Road, Miami Twp., OH 45415
- Distance & Time: One hour, 43 miles
- Gambling Options: 1,000+ slot machines, video poker, live table games, sports betting
- Accommodations: N/A
- Notable Amenities: Restaurant, bar, outdoor seating area
Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway is another facility combining a racino with an established horseracing track. Its selection of slot machines exceeds 1,000 units. They feature progressive hot drop jackpots, centrifugal machines, wide-area progressives, and classic titles.
Slots That Pay the Most and How to Play Them - From to .4You can also play video poker or place your bets on live table games, including Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, and Texas Hold’Em. Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway also features electronic versions of some of those games.
On the other hand, sports fans will appreciate the full-service sportsbook lounge, which opened in December 2022. You can watch live games on countless TVs or place your bets using one of the self-service kiosks.
Feel free to visit the Taproom Sports Bar & Grill and enjoy the amazing views while drinking a cold beer. Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway has an outdoor seating area that can accommodate dozens of guests.
Of course, you can eat something tasty without watching the horses run. The Venue Bar is an excellent spot for cocktails and light bites, and the Holmes Integrated Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily.
Belterra Park Gaming & Entertainment
- Address: 600 Mount Adams St, Cincinnati, OH 45203
- Distance & Time: One hour, 46 miles
- Gambling Options: 1,100 slot machines, table games, poker room, sports betting
- Accommodations: N/A
- Notable Amenities: Restaurants, bar, entertainment venue
Belterra Park Gaming & Entertainment is another downtown Cincinnati casino near Akron, OH. This smaller venue belongs to the powerhouse that manages Belterra Casino Resort in Indiana.
Despite its modest surface, Belterra Park Gaming & Entertainment has 1,100 entertaining slot machines. They feature the latest titles and themes, including some of the most lucrative hot drop jackpot games.
Table game enthusiasts can ask the dealers about ongoing promotions and special side bets. You can also participate in an exciting poker tournament or use a self-service kiosk to place your bets.
Racetrack Suites can improve your viewing experience. These exclusive areas let you watch horse races from the same level as the starting gate.
When you get hungry or thirsty, feel free to visit the Bold Pizza & Bar eatery or order some snacks at the Center Bar.
live casino philadelphia phone numberAre There Plans to Build a Casino in Akron?
Ohio has twenty-three Class III casinos, four Class II casinos (a.k.a. VGTs), and nine racinos (Class II facilities with historical horse racing machines).
However, the state government does not issue new casino licenses lightly. The procedure requires support from the governor, the General Assembly, and the locals in a region referendum.
Even if someone secures all necessary permissions, building a modern casino resort costs tens of millions of dollars. That’s why we probably won’t see a new gambling venue in the Akron, Canton, or Cincinnati area during the next five years.
Why Don’t Akron’s Odds of Getting a Casino Look Good Right Now
Local officials considered building a casino in Akron, Ohio, almost two decades ago. Experts produced detailed feasibility studies in 2003 and 2005, but the project never got off the ground.
The main problem was that the chosen location within Summit County Fairgrounds was not suitable for a casino. Also, local residents and the Akron Racecourse didn’t welcome the idea of a nearby gambling venue.
Nothing has changed in the following years. The city limits don’t overlap with any of the other possible locations. You must leave Akron and enter neighboring towns or cities to find casinos in northern Ohio.
Alternatives to Visiting a Land-Based Casino Near Me in Akron, OH
Perhaps you don’t have a driver’s license, too much snow on the road, or strong suspicions about safe in these uncertain times. In any case, you don’t have to risk your health when excellent online alternatives exist.
Ohio will launch its online sports betting market in September 2022. You can place your first bets through smartphone apps provided by retail casinos and racinos.
The state’s iGaming industry launched on September 17, 2022. You can now and play against players from around the state from the comfort of your own home.
Unfortunately, the initial legislation did not include provisions for , daily fantasy sports, or other forms of online gambling. Ohio lawmakers may consider these issues in the future.
Alternatives to Gambling at Casinos Around Akron, Ohio
Even though you cannot find casinos in Akron, Ohio, you have plenty of opportunities to gamble in this state. Retail venues have welcomed visitors since September 2020, and the online sports betting industry is coming soon.
Best Online Poker Sites in 2023Ohioans can also play at bingo halls, keno halls, lottery retailers, and horse racing tracks (including historic racing machine venues.) Check out our guide if you wonder where you can do legal in Akron, Ohio. You can also try the following alternatives to land-based casinos in Akron.