Legal gambling in Ohio
Contents
Race betting
Horse racing and horse race betting is legal and regulated in Ohio (permit required).
On-track pari-mutuel wagering is legal, and so is the wagering that takes place at 14 satellite facilities (off-track betting) in Ohio.
Bookmaking
Betting on sporting events and similar contests is illegal in Ohio, unless it falls under the specific laws for race betting.
Casino gambling
Casinos were illegal in Ohio until 2009, which caused gamblers to travel to other states instead and spend their money there. Indiana, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Michigan were especially popular destinations. In November 2009, Ohio voted yes to a proposition to change state law and allow four casinos to be established in the state; one each in the cities Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland and Toledo. School districts and local governments in the state receive fees from the casinos.
Online casinos remain illegal but there has been discussions about offering a limited number of licenses.
Casinos
| Name | City | County | Comments |
| Jack Cleveland Casino | Cleveland | Cuyahoga | Opened May 14, 2012 |
| Hollywood Casino Toledo | Toledo | Lucas | Opened May 29, 2012 |
| Hollywood Casino Columbus | Columbus | Franklin | Opened October 8, 2012 |
| Jack Cincinnati Casino | Cincinnati | Hamilton | Opened March 4, 2013 |
Racinos
| Casino | City | County | Comments |
| Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course (Descendant of Beulah Park.) | Austintown | Mahoning | Opened September 17, 2014 Only video lottery terminals, no table games. |
| Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway (Descendant of Raceway Park.) | Dayton | Montgomery | Opened August 28, 2014 Only video lottery terminals, no table games. |
| Belterra Park Gaming & Entertainment Center (Formerly known as River Downs.) | Anderson Township | Hamilton | Opened May 1, 2014 Only video lottery terminals, no table games. |
| MGM Northfield Park | Northfield | Summit | Opened December 18, 2013 Only video lottery terminals, no table games. |
| Miami Valley Gaming (Descendant of Lebanon Raceway.) | Turtlecreek Township | Warren | Opened December 12, 2013 Only video lottery terminals, no table games. |
| Jack Thistledown Racino | North Randall | Cuyahoga | Opened April 9, 2013 Only video lottery terminals, no table games. |
| Scioto Downs Racino | Columbus | Franklin | Opened June 1, 2012 Only video lottery terminals, no table games. |
Lottery
New Ohio state lottery laws were enacted in 1973 and the Ohio Lottery Commission was created that same year. The following year, the first legal lottery tickets went on sale in the state.
Since the early 1980s, the official state lottery in Ohio chiefly uses its proceed to fund public eduction, through the Lottery Profits Education Fund. This fund supports elementary, secondary, vocational, and special education programs in appropriations made by the general assembly
Mega Millions Lottery
The state of Ohio is one of many states that participate in the joined multi-state Mega Millions lottery game.
Tag fishing
Tag fishing tournaments are legal, provided that they have obtained a state license.
Non-profit fundraising
Ohio allows certain charitable and non-profit organization to offer limited gambling for fundraising efforts, such as raffles and bingo. Specific requirements must be adhered to.
Since 2005, the Ohio Lottery has been administering and monitoring the licensing of bingo games for charitable causes.
Cheating
A person who cheats in gambling can be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor. Cheating in gambling in Ohio is punishable by a fine of at least $1,000.
Fixing
Fixing or otherwise corrupting a sporting event, including horseracing, is illegal in Ohio. This includes (but is not limited to) to offer, give, solicit, or accept anything of value to corrupt the outcome of an athletic or sporting event. It is enough to engage in conduct designed to corrupt the outcome of an athletic or sporting event to break the law.