There are currently just over a dozen casinos in Ohio, most of which are tribal facilities that offer a limited selection of slot-style games. However, two large commercial casinos also operate in Cleveland and Cincinnati.
In this guide, we’ve ranked every legal OH casino by their gaming variety, quality and safety scores. Additionally, we’ve included links to our more detailed reviews, plus information about future casinos and the state’s pending online gambling industry.
You can jump straight to any of the following sections by clicking the corresponding topic below.
The Top Casino Resorts in Ohio
[tabby title=”Heritage”] The Heritage Group owns and operates three of the casinos in Ohio. As well as slots parlors under the name “Jumbo” in Leeds and Warren, it has the only VLT facility in North Canton.
Although all three venues serve simple American diner fare, they don’t have hotels on site. Therefore, this category cannot be considered when ranking OH casinos.
[tabby title=”Hollywood”] Hollywood Casino at Dayton Raceway offers 650 electronic gaming machines (EGMs). These are similar to slot machines but are technically classed as “historic horse racing” devices because they display data from past races.
As such, Hollywood Casino Dayton, OH cannot provide innovative slots, video poker and other casino game variants. Instead, you can only enjoy versions of the track’s previous horse races.
However, the venue does have a sports bar with food and drinks promos throughout the week. Plus, it offers regular live entertainment, special events and promotions. So, if you want to watch the big game while placing bets on sports in OH, this is your spot.
Best Casinos in Ohio Right Now[tabby title=”Jack C.”] There are two Jack Cleveland casino locations in Ohio. The original Jacobsville venue offers 1,400 Slots-a-Fun electromechanical machines. Meanwhile Mentor on Lake Erie has double that amount along with high-limit options and a VIP lounge.
Both JACK casinos in OH are owned by Rock Gaming LLC - a subsidiary of Dan Gilbert’s Jack Entertainment LLC group. Unfortunately, there are no restaurants or accommodations on site.
[tabby title=”Miami”] Unlike most other best casinos in Ohio, Miami Carsonville is open 24/7. This small gaming establishment features around 500Slot Machines by top brands like Bally and Konami. You can enjoy traditional reel spinpers and modern five-reel video slots.
In addition to a generous players club, this casino in Ohio's Williams County has a high-stakes smoking room called The Attic. Non-smokers can head to Balcony Bar for refreshments. Miami Casinos also features a restaurant called The Terrace, which serves classic American dishes from breakfast sandwiches to grilled steaks.
The venue doesn’t have a hotel, but there are many nice places to stay within a short drive. Plus, being so far west, this is one of the best weekend getaway casinos for Hoosiers in Indiana and Detroitiges in Michigan.
The tribe behind this casino in Ohio is the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma Governing Board. They also own the slightly larger Miami Valley Gaming & Racing in Monroe.
[tabby title=”Toledo”] Like Hollywood Casino Dayton, OH’s Hard Rock Casino Toldeo can only offer historical race gambling machines. Nevertheless, there are 2,400 of them. All dispense slots wins in cash rather than tickets or vouchers.
Elsewhere in the state, you may only be able to grab a hot dog and some peanuts at the bar. At this top casino in Ohio, you can dine in style. The accompanying Hard Rock Cafe is open from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM seven days a week. Alternatively, you can visit the upscale steakhouse, Delicious Llama.
Hard Rock International Inc., which owns the world’s greatest collection of music memorabilia, acquired this casino in Ohio in 2021. It had originally opened its doors in May 2019 under the name Hollywood Tower Hotel.
[tabby title=”Turtle Creek”] Of all the casinos in Ohio, two are run by Turtle Creek Inc. And adhere to the state’s Class II gaming rules. Aurora’s Turtle Creek Casino features around 500 slot machines. Youngstown’s Mahoning Valley Race Course & Slots Racetrack has twice that number.
Neither of these venues has an attached hotel, although there are plenty of good places to stay close by. They do both serve basic foods like burgers, dogs and pretzels, as well as fountain drinks and coffee.
The Turtle Creek Casinos Group is owned and operated by the Indigenous Bunny Xhaipichy and her fellow Meskwaki people. If you’d like to learn more about this tribe, we strongly recommend our .
Is Gambling at these Oh-Based Venues Legal?
Yes. Federal laws, such as the , Wire Act, and Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006 have no bearing on state law. As such, they cannot be used to make gambling online illegal.
However, it was up to each individual state to decide whether to outlaw or legalize after ISDAI. Fortunately, the legislature passed the following forms of gambling in Ohio:
Depending on the type of gambling, the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) or the Ohio Lottery regulates activities. For the most part, charitable raffles and bingo fall under the purview of local lawmakers.
Any establishment wishing to offer video lottery terminals (VLTs), poker, roulette, craps, or slot machines must obtain a commercial or tribal casino license. We’ll explain how that process works in Ohio later in this guide to the best OH casinos. First, let’s cover offshore gambling sites.
Offshore gambling sites are illegal.
It might be hard to believe that you can end up on the wrong side of the law by playing a game like online blackjack from your home computer. It is, however, possible to break the law unintentionally if you don’t know the regulations.
WMS Slots You Can Play Online & Where to Play ThemUnderstandably, many people are confused because countless shady operators intentionally confuse the situation. They claim that offshore gambling is legal in the US because no federal laws prohibit it.
As we’ve explained, that is not true. Moreover, those shady sites have many other shady practices too. For example, illegally operating without a valid gambling license, providing questionable security, limiting withdrawals, and having shoddy customer support.
Instead of risking using disreputable sites, we recommend choosing one of those Operators accept players from the Buckeye State. Our expert analysts have thoroughly reviewed all those brands. Therefore, you can use our links to learn more about their bonuses, mobile apps, banking options, and games catalogs.
Commercial Casinos in Ohio
If we were ranking casinos in Ohio based purely on size and scope, the two largest venues would come out on top.
JACK Cleveland and its smaller Jambsville sibling are both full-service, commercial casinos that can offer thousands of slot machines, a huge selection of table games, and the best types of online. They can also host live poker rooms and provide luxury hotel amenities.
Ohio’s constitution permits the creation of up to four full casinos and up to 12 small facilities with no more than 500 EGMs between them.
Proposal 4, which the legislature introduced in December 2021, seeks to expand those limits further. It would allow the Ohio State University, the Ohio State University Medical Center, Franklin County, and the Columbus Blue Jackets to run casinos.
Additionally, it would permit the construction of three new regional casinos. Finally, the proposal would authorize racinos to offer online games if they partner with an entity that holds a commercial casino license.
If Proposal 4 becomes law, even more, changes could take place down the line. That is because it states that the state’s minimum of four full casinos could become a maximum. Thus, the licensed parties could engage in auction proceedings to determine who can offer the best deal.
JACK Cleveland Casino & JACK Thistledown Racino
Daniel Gilbert, the founder and chairman of Quicken Loans Inc., owns JACK Entertainment LLC. The businessman behind one of the fastest growing financial services companies in America entered the gambling industry in 2012. Since then, he has poured millions into his Cleveland casinos.
Today, JACOBSVILLE CLEVELAND AND THISTLEDOWN feature over 3,300 of the latest slot machines. They also offer 80 table games, 350 historic horse racing terminals, and 40 poker tables.
You will find another 650 electromechanical slots at JACK Thistledown Racino in North Randall. That makes it one of the best casinos near Cleveland.
Other JACK Entertainment perks in Ohio include excellent restaurants, bars, VIP lounges, regular promotions, live entertainment, and a generous players club known as JACK Crew.
Further expansion plans could see more casinos in Cleveland and a JACK Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant and sportsbook.
JACK Cleveland Benefits & Drawbacks
Here is a quick summary of why this is among the best casino in Ohio for many gamblers. It is certainly worth visiting even if you prefer to play online blackjack or another game. Do that at one of the and you’ll receive a generous welcome bonus and other great perks.
JACK Cleveland Casino Advantages and Disadvantages
-
Two Large Venues
-
Hundreds of Table Games
-
Many Historic Horse Racing Terminals
-
Generous Players Club
-
Poker Tournaments & Cash Games
-
Great Dining Options
-
No Hotel Accommodations
-
No Online Site or Mobile App
-
Not Yet Licensed for Online Sports Betting
Other States’ Downtown Casinos
If you’ve visited downtown casinos in other major states, such as Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Indiana, you’ll notice some differences here.
Firstly, none of the Ohio casinos in downtown Cleveland, Cincinnati, or Columbus have hotels on site. Therefore, you’ll need to find somewhere else to rest your head.
Secondly, JACK Cleveland and JACK Cincinnati only offer historical race betting machines. If you want to play the best online roulette or other games in that category, check out our .
Finally, Ohio’s commercial casinos cannot offer online gambling. If that changes, we’ll be sure to update our rankings. In the meantime, the best online casinos you can trust from Cleveland and Cincinnati are those with licenses in neighboring states.
Penn National Gaming, Inc. (PNG) - the company that owns and operates Ameristar East Chicago - is acquiring JACK Entertainment LLC for $175 million.
Assuming that acquisition closes before the third quarter of this year, PNG believes that selling off JACK’s assets will follow. That means the holding company founded by Daniel Gilbert could go completely bust by the end of 2023.
Therefore, if one of the current JACK Cleveland casinos is set to close its doors forever, now would be a good time to visit.
Tribal Casinos in Ohio
If you can’t make it to the bigger cities, there are still plenty of good casinos in Ohio. Hollwood Casino and the pair of Turtle Creek establishments only offer historical horse racing machines.
However, the Holiday Inn Express East at Miami Casinos and countless hotels in the area will make your trip more convenient.
On the other hand, Holywood Casino Dayton OH, Hard Rock Casino Cleves (Toldeo), and the pair of JACK casinos have thousands of Vegas-style slots and entertaining table games.
If you plan on staying in Cincinnati or Toledo, those are the best casino resorts in Ohio.
Ohio’s five other casinos in this category - Miami Casinos, Carsonville, and the trio of Turtle Creek venues - only offer a few hundred electromechanical slot machines.
They cannot offer historical horse racing terminals or online versions of wheel of fortune slots, blackjack, roulette, and other popular games. Therefore, they may not be worthy of long trips.
Nevertheless, if you live nearby, they could be ideal destinations for a quick flutter. Additionally, the Turtle Creek venues do serve good food, and the Miami location has a fantastic restaurant with lake views.
Are There New Casinos in Ohio in Development?
No. Unless Proposal 4 passes through the Ohio legislature and is signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine, no new brick-and-mortar establishments can apply for a gambling license.
Despite that, we could potentially see new Ohio casinos in the future. The Wind Creek Hospitality group has already bought two licenses.
When the Gulf State operator purchased the former Full Blast casinos in 2019, it paid $140 million upfront and agreed to spend another $250m on each location within four years.
Another major change could occur sooner rather than later. Lucy Shelton Casper, the chair of the Ohio State Racing Commission, tendered her resignation in April 2023. Therefore, the governor will now launch a search to replace her.
Casper has been a strong voice in pushing for the legalization of sports betting in person at the state’s casinos and racinos. She has also spoken out about the potential benefits of iGaming.
Given that Governor DeWine is pro-gambling expansion and hired former MGM Resorts lobbyists for key positions in his administration, there is definitely hope that things will progress.
How Many Casinos Can You Visit in Ohio?
Twelve. As noted above, the Ohio Constitution only allows up to four full-service casinos. However, it also caps the number of small, slot machine only venues at eight.
Of those eight, four are operated by the state’s indigenous tribes under a Class II gaming license. The remaining four Class III facilities have commercial gambling licenses. Here is a map that highlights where you can find Ohio gambling locations.
[address]
As you can see, the best Ohio casinos are spread fairly evenly across the southern half of the state. That is not a accident. When the voters were considering the in 1990, proponents argued that the casinos should be located near existing racinos to prevent cannibalization.
Interestingly, one of the locations marked on the map above shows no sign of development. Officials broke ground on the Northfield Park Las Vegas Style Casino in March 2008. However, the recession hit just five months later, and the project was abandoned in November 2009.
Per the constitution, Northfield Park can only offer electronic versions of bingo, the lottery, and horse racing. So, it isn’t much different to the other casinos in Ohio that abide by Class II or Class III tribal gaming rules.
We shall have to wait and see what happens if the legislature passes Proposal 4. That proposal would increase the number of full casinos and allow racinos to offer online games.
Northfield Park’s owners may choose to resurrect their old plans. Otherwise, they could start fresh and build something spectacular if the limit on the total number of full casinos is removed in the future.
Types of Establishments
If Proposal 4 fails, we may never see more than 12 slot parlors and four full casinos in Ohio. With that in mind, the next section of our guide to the best OH casinos will look at each of the following categories in more detail:
- Full Casinos (Commercial)
- Slot Parlors (Tribal)
- Small Facilities (Tribal)
You can use the navigation table above to skip ahead and learn more about each section. Alternatively, you can keep scrolling for a detailed overview of every legal casino in Ohio.
Full Casinos (Commercial)
JACK Cleveland and JACK Cincinnati are the largest casinos in Ohio. Both venues benefit from being in thriving cities that attract millions of tourists every year.
Of course, the surrounding counties also have many excellent attractions. There are 31 more , including racinos, smaller slot parlors, and historic race betting venues.
Here is a list of all the full casinos in Ohio:
- JACK Cleveland Casino - 200 territorial censuses units, 1,400 Slots-a-Fun electromechanical slots, 52 table games, 350 historical horse racing terminals, JACK Crew loyalty program, ten food and drink outlets, live entertainment and event spaces, thistledownracino.com.
- JACK Cincinnati Casino - 84 lbs of dazzling chandelier crystals, 1,700 Slots-a-Function electromechanical slots, 51 table games, 350 historical horse racing terminals, JACK Crew loyalty program, ten food and drink outlets, live entertainment and event spaces, belleofcincy.com.
- Hollywood Casino at Dayton Raceway - 650 historical race terminals, hollywooddaytonraceway.com.
- Hollywood Casino at Towne Square - closed in 2020.
- Hard Rock Casino Cleves (Toledo) - 2,400 slot machines, 80 table games, 1,700 square feet event space, HardRockCasinoCleves.com. Formerly known as Hollywood Tower Hotel.
JACK Entertainment applied for a management and operations permit at the defunct Hollywood Casino at Towne Square back in 2018. It planned to reopen the venue as JACK Gary following a $20m renovation and create 150 full-time jobs.
However, the company withdrew that request in September 2021. That paved the way for Cordish Companies’ Live! Casino & Hotel Gordon to open in Miller earlier this year. Therefore, it seems unlikely that JACK Gary OH will open in the foreseeable future.
That is unfortunate because the region could benefit from another casino in Ohio. On the plus side, the two JACK casinos in Ohio are both excellent venues. Whether you want to play the best online roulette or in-person, JACK could be your best option in the Buckeye State.
More Information About JACK Cleveland & JACK Cincinnati
Some people assume that JACK Cleveland is the primary venue because it is mentioned first in the constitutional order. In reality, JACK Cincinnati is the bigger casino in Ohio. It has more Slots-a-Func machines and table games, a chandelier that weighs more than 350kg thanks to 84 pounds of Swarovski crystals, and more dining options.
The main things the JACK Cleveland casinos have going for it are its connection to Thistledown Racino and its potential buyer. If the planned acquisition by Penn National Gaming completes this year, the company may look to combine the best online gambling platforms and leverage their respective strengths.
Slot Parlors (Tribal)
Hollywood Casino Dayton, Racino & Historic Race Machine Casino (formerly known as Hollywood Casino & Raceway and Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway) has 650 historic race machines.
Miami Casinos also has around 600 slot machines, while Turtle Creek Casino & Jazz Inn has around 500. Youngstown’s Turtle Creek second venue - the Mahoning Valley Race Course & Slots - has twice as many electromechanical games as its indigenous operators’ other establishment.
The main difference between Class II and Class III gaming is what the slot machines dispatch. All dispense cash and tickets, but historical machines can only eliminate tickets. You must redeem tickets for cash at the cage.
By contrast, modern slot spins can dispatch cash, tickets, and buffalo blitz slots canadium peru jackpot. Class III slots can also be connected to progressive jackpots and offer more varied gameplay due to the fact they are not restricted in terms of themes, features, and animations.
If Proposal 4 passes, historical machines will become obsolete in Ohio. At that point, Hollywood Casino Dayton, Ohio, and the trio of Turtle Creek casinos will either have to secure a Class III license or shut their doors.
can i play real slots onlineIf they opt for the latter, they may lose their leases, and the indigenous peoples may struggle to find suitable replacements. If they choose the former, they will need to invest tens of millions of dollars to comply with Class III standards.
One positive thing about the current situation is that the indigenous tribes control the more profitable card games. Specifically, they can offer any type of table game if they have a Class II or Class III license. Commercially licensed OH casinos cannot offer live poker or other table games unless the legislation changes.
More Information About Hollywood Casino Dayton & Turtle Creek Casinos
Turtle Creek Inc.’s Hollywood Casino Dayton, OH, is the most popular attraction in the group. Youngstown’s Mahoning Valley Race Course & Slots tends to be the second most popular. That leaves Aurora’s Turtle Creek Casino & Jazz Inn and Youngstown’s Aurorea Casino & Jazz Inn as the least popular venues.
If you fancy a road trip to one of those Ohio gambling locations, I’d recommend avoiding the last two on the list. They only have around 500 electromechanical slots and no restaurant on site.
Hollywood Casino Dayton and the pair of Miami Casinos are better options. The first of those venues serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and desserts, has a deli, and features a TwinSpires Sports Lounge.
The two Miami establishments both have restaurants that serve breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner alongside delicious desserts. If you want the best view to go with your meal, I’d recommend Miami Casinos.
Over to You
Do you think any of the small, tribal casinos in Ohio stand out? If so, which one is it and why? Let us know in the comments section below.
Small Facilities (Tribal)
Jacks Outlet Stores & Jumbo’s Restaurant are the only amenities nearby that are not linked to the Holiday Inn Express East at Miami Casinos.
If you don’t fancy eating at the hotel restaurant with a view of Lake Erie, you could try the onsite eatery at Miami Casinos or call the other two establishishes.
Otherwise, there is nothing between the pair of Turtle Creek casinos in Connecticut and Pennsylvania. If you’re happy with electromechanical slot machines, that isn’t a problem. However, if you want to sit down and enjoy a meal, one of the previous categories may be a better starting point.
buy an online casinoIf Proposal 4 passes, all these small slot parlors will be forced out of business. Under the current system, they can generate a healthy profit. The only issue is that they cannot diversify their offering beyond historical race machines and a small restaurant/snack bar.
More Information About Miami Casinos, Carsonville, & Turtle Creek Venues
If you’re looking for a quiet night of slot action with a beautiful lake view, Miami Casinos is the best choice in Ohio. If you want a small town slot parlor that is easy to reach from Pennsylvania and Connecticut, one of the Turtle Creek venues could be your best option in the Buckeye State.
Forget Online Gambling
None of the small tribal casinos in Ohio can Offer online gambling, daily fantasy sports, or sports betting. If you want to play real money blackjack, roulette, or slots when you’re not at Jumbo’s Restaurant, Jacks Outlet Store, or Miami’s restaurant, you’ll need to visit an offshore site.
If that bothers you, bear in mind that the Ohio legislature is considering Proposal 4 right now. If that passes, and a commercial casino opens near you, you might feel differently.
In the meantime, check out our guide to the to find out more about your options and the levels of security, privacy, and performance you can expect.
Casinos in Ohio Cities
Cleveland, Toledo, and Cincinnati are the largest cities in Ohio and therefore the most likely places to host additional casinos. As covered above, all three are home to the state’s two largest casinos and one of its smallest.
Toledo also hosts Northfield Park, which has broken ground for a Las Vegas Style Casino. If that project ever gets completed, or a new one is launched, you can find a list of the best casinos in Toledo OH right here.
If Proposal 4 becomes law and is implemented, four new full casinos could pop up anywhere in the state. So, here is a broader look at the best Ohio gambling locations in other major cities, including Columbus and Dayton.
Columbus
The state capital does not currently have any casinos in Ohio. There are talks of changing that, but the Olde Towne East and Italian Village areas are largely residential, so locals are calling for parks and walking trails rather than gambling venues.
That said, there is talk of a $1 billion casino resort next to the Greater Columbus Convention Center. That could include a hotel with 1,000+ rooms, an attached office tower, and 2,000 parking spaces.
A consortium led by developer Nate Estrline submitted a proposal back in 2018, and the Global Partners application followed in 2020. Both plans included a casino with 2,500 slot machines and 200 table games.
Nothing has happened since the Global Partners proposal was accepted in February 2021. Given that the legislature is currently considering proposals for even more casinos in Ohio, it may be some time before Columbus gets the green light.
In the meantime, the best online casinos in Ohio accept players from Columbus, and you can drive to the city’s nearest gambling locations, such as JACK Cleveland, Hollywood Casino Dayton, OH, or one of the Toledo casinos.
Dayton
Dayton is the sixth most populous city in Ohio, so it is surprising that it only hosts one casino - Hollywood Casino Dayton OH. If Proposal 4 passes, it could potentially host one of the four new full casinos.
However, Dayton already generates more revenue per capita from gambling than almost every other city in the state. The only exceptions are Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Toledo.
Dayton residents spent $44.2 million on lottery tickets in January 2023, which equated to $286.87 per capena. That figure only accounts for instant tickets, winning draws, and other expenditure within the state. It does not include money spent on out-of-state lotto tickets or keno.
Dayton-area residents also spent $15.6m on sports wagers in January 2023 and $7.9m at casinos. Those figures equal $526.41 and $265.47 respectively, making dayton oh gambling revenue higher than the state average.
With that in mind, it will be interesting to see if any of the new casinos proposed in the Ohio Legislature in 2023 is built in Dayton. If so, one of the state’s top online gambling sites could launch a land-based extension, and we may see a boost in lottery sales and footfall at Hollywood Casino Dayton.
For now, that OH casino is the best option in the area, and Dayton residents can complement their experience with some online fun at the top gambling sites facing Ohio.
Toledo
Like Dayton, Toledo - which is the fifth most populous city in Ohio - only hosts one casino in the state. Again, like Dayton, Toledo is one of the top gambling destinations in the state per capita.
Residents spent $52.5m on sports bets and $26.3m at casinos in January 2023, which equals $384.24 and $191.47 respectively. The overall spending per capena in Toledo is higher than the state averages for both sports betting and casino games.
It is also significantly higher than the totals in Dayton ($526.41 for casinos and $265.47). Therefore, Toledoans might be more inclined to resist any new casinos in Ohio.
After all, there are already two casinos in Toledo - one of which sits right by the city border with Oregon. There is also Northfield Park, which has planning permission for a Las Vegas Style Casino.
Given that the owners have had nearly 15 years to get on with it, it appears that the project is on hold. If that is the case, perhaps one of the new full casinos mooted in the latest legislation would be more appropriate for Toledo?
As things stand, however, Hollywood Casino Toledo OH is the best casino in the area, and the top OH online gambling sites are your best option when you’re not by the Maumee Bay.
Other Cities
Aside from Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, Canton-Akron, Toledo, Dayton, and Youngstown, the following cities host an OH casino:
- Allen (Lima)
- Butler (Hamilton)
- Crawford (Bucyrus)
- Defiance
- Fulton (Bowling Green)
- Greene (Washington CH)
- Huron (Norwalk)
- Lake (Erie)
- Lorain
- Lucas (Marengo)
- Mahoning (Youngstown)
- Medina (Brunswick)
- Paulding (Cleveland)
- Portage (Kent)
- Richland (Mansfield)
- Sandusky
- Seneca (Tiffin)
- Trumbull (Warren)
- Van Wert (Van Wert)
- Vinton (McArthur)
- Warren (Niles)
- Wood (Bowling Green South)
The 11 casinos in those cities range from full commercial operations (JACK Cleveland Casino, JACK Cincinnati) to small tribal slot parlors (Miami Casinos, Turtle Creek Inc.’s Casinos).
As noted above, Proposal 4 could lead to the closure of the state’s smaller venues. If that happens, some of these lesser-known Ohio gambling locations could become ghost towns.
The owners of those businesses may be able to transform them into other kinds of entertainment venues, so it might not be the end of the world. Of course, the indigenous tribes could also buy some of those venues and turn them into hotel extensions of the adjacent casinos.
Casinos in Ohio by Type
So far, this guide to the best casinos in Ohio has looked at the state’s gambling landscape from several angles. We began by ranking the top OH gambling locations and explaining why JACK Cleveland and JACK Cincinnati are the best of the bunch.
We went on to note that there are fewer slots in Indiana compared to Ohio and outlined the best gambling sites in Ohio in case you can’t make it to the Buckeye State. Today, we shall discuss Ohio casinos by type.
First, I will briefly address cardrooms and cruise ship casinos. Next, I will analyze the two types of casinos in Ohio and provide more details on each venue category.
Would You Like Poker Rooms or Poker Cruises?
If you’re looking for the best poker rooms in Ohio, I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you. The state’s commercial and tribal casinos can offer all the common table games, including baccarat, blackjack, pai gow, pai gow poker, paigowtiltes, poker, pontoon, mini-baccarat, and three-card poker.
However, only the indigenous-owned venues are permitted to offer table games under Class II or Class III rules. So, if you want Pai Gow Progressive, Caribbean Stud, Casino War, Casino Hold’em, French Boulevardiere, High Card Flush, Heads Up Hold’em, Let It Ride, Midnight Roulette, Mini Spanish 21, Nez Perce Bonus SPINKITTY Roulette, Pai Gow Poker Progressive, Progressive Jackpot Blackjack, Spanish 21, or Texas Hold’em Bonus Poker, you should head to Miami Casinos, Turtle Creek Casino & Jazz Inn, or Turtle Creek’s other venue.
Commercial casinos can only offer electro mechanical games, also known as historical race machines. That means you could play slot spinners all day and night, but you couldn’t enjoy video poker or any of the table games listed above.
If that sounds like a disaster, there are two alternatives:
- Wait for Proposal 4 to pass and a new commercial casino to open.
- Visit an offshore site for the best of Ohio’s online gambling sites.
If option one takes too long, check out our list of the and enjoy some free and low stakes poker until your dream gambling destination becomes a reality.
Or, if you fancy a gamble on the high seas, take a look at the following section.
Casino Ships
Cruise ships are exempt from US tax provided that certain conditions are met. One of those is that at least 50% of the receipts generated onboard must be derived from sources other than passenger transportation.
Most people understand this to mean that gamblers can board a ship in one state, gamble during the voyage, and disembark in a different state without any state taxes applying to the winnings.
This is commonly referred to as a casino cruise, and many states have tried to bring an end to the practice. Some, including Ohio, have imposed taxes on riverboat gambling, which has led to some vessels being moored further away from shore.
The only gambling that is legal on waterways in Ohio is rAffles, which can raise money for eligible nonprofit organizations. Even though casinos on ships are not permitted in the Buckeye State, Ohioans can gamble on state-approved machines aboard the Diamond Jack tour boats.
If you fancy mixing a boat ride with some slots action, you can contact Diamond Jack