Legalized gambling has existed in the Buckeye State for nearly a decade, but that hasn’t included legal sports betting for the 11 million-plus residents in Ohio.
That is about to change.
Once Gov. Mike DeWine signed bill HB 29 into law on Dec. 22, 2021, sports betting became legal in Ohio — the seventh largest state by population. A total of 11 casinos/racinos figure to be at the forefront applying for a Type A license, which will allow the license holder to partner with up to two sportsbooks.
Casinos are land-based properties that offer table games, poker tables, and video lottery terminals (VLT). Racinos are racetracks that offer VLTs, but don’t offer table games or poker tables. Both figure to attract sports bettors.
There are four casinos and seven racinos spread throughout the state. A total of four gambling establishment options are located in the Cincinnati/Dayton area (one casino, three racinos), three in northeast Ohio (one casino, two racinos), two in Columbus (one casino, one racing), and one casino in Toledo.
You can't legally make a sports bet in Ohio on the Cincinnati Bengals in the Super Bowl but the industry will be ready for next year.https://t.co/TMjBl1uPkW
— News 5 Cleveland (@WEWS) January 31, 2022
Ohio Regulators Lay Out Timeline, Release First Batch Of Proposed Sports Betting Rules https://t.co/j9sXcxTX4l
— Sue Schneider (@SuziQSchneider) January 25, 2022
Here’s a look at each of the casinos and racinos where legalized sports betting is expected to take place once the Ohio Casino Control Commission gives the OK for it to begin.
Casino options in Ohio
Hollywood Casino Columbus, Hollywood Casino Toledo, Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati, and JACK Cleveland Casino (formerly Horseshoe Casino Cleveland) make up the four land-based full-service casinos.
Listed as a 160,000-square-foot facility, Hollywood Casino Columbus is the largest land-based casino. It opened its doors Oct. 8, 2012. It features over 1,900 slots, 65 table games, and 34 poker tables.
Hollywood Casino Toledo is the second-largest land-based casino and was the second casino to open its doors when it began operating on May 29, 2012. It spans 125,000 square feet and features over 1,900 slots, 59 table games, and 19 poker tables.
Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati, formerly JACK Cincinnati Casino, is 100,000 square feet, totaling more than 1,600 slots, nearly 100 table games, and approximately 30 poker tables.
JACK Cleveland Casino covers 96,000 square feet and features 1,300 slots, 100 tables games, and 30 poker tables. It originally opened as Horseshoe Casino Cleveland and was the first land-based casino in operation when it opened its doors on May 14, 2012.
Racino options in Ohio
Belterra Park Gaming & Entertainment Center, Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs, Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway, JACK Thistledown Racino, MGM Northfield Park, Miami Valley Gaming, and Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course make up the seven racinos.
Belterra Park Gaming & Entertainment Center is a casino and racetrack located outside of Cincinnati and includes a 48,000-square-foot casino that houses 1,300 VLTs.
Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs, located in Columbus, totals 100,000 square feet and offers 2,200 VLTs — the most of any of the racinos.
Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway offers slot play on 1,000 VLTs located on the 190,000-square-foot property.
JACK Thistledown Racino, located outside of Cleveland, includes a 57,000-square-foot casino featuring over 1,400 VLTs.
MGM Northfield Park is located approximately 15 miles southeast of Cleveland and offers nearly 2,000 VLTs in the designated casino area.
Miami Valley Gaming, located just outside of Cincinnati, features 1,900 VLTs inside 68,000 square feet designated for casino gaming.
Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course, located in Youngstown, is a 25,000-square-foot racino that offers 1,000 VLT options.
