There was no legal casino in Ohio until 2012. A bill was passed in 2009 finally approving four land based casinos to open. Racetracks were legally allowed to have video lottery terminals from 2011. There are no legal Ohio online casinos at present. Similar to many other states in the country, it is understood that many states are watching New Jersey to see how an online casino plays out before adopting.

Available Casino Games in Ohio

The casinos in the state of Ohio do not disappoint and offer a variety of games such as roulette,slot machines, blackjack, mini-baccarat, craps and many variations of poker.

Biggest Ohio Casinos

There are four dedicated casinos in the state, the biggest being Hollywood Casino – Columbus. The casino offers over 2,000 gaming machines and 79 table games. The Casino also has a wide variety of dining and entertainment options on offer to keep everyone enjoying their time in between gambling.

History of Casino Gambling in Ohio

Ohio is another state which is quite late to the casino industry having only opened the first casino in 2012. The racing tracks in the state were the first to start with gaming, 2011 saw a bill pass that allowed video game terminals at the racetracks. This allowed for 11 racinos to be established. A racino cannot play live dealer games, but can offer video slots, video poker and electronic table games such as roulette.

Casino Gambling Age in Ohio

The minimum age in Ohio is 21 years old. Minors are allowed into casinos but cannot be on the gaming floor. The penalties can be anything from a fine, charged with a misdemeanor, community service or potentially even have drivers license postponed or revoked. If the parents of the minor were aware they were gambling, they could also be charged similar penalties. If a minor has been playing at a table, the dealer may even face charges for allowing the play to continue.

• Online Casino Age
  Legal age for Casino gambling in Ohio is 21 years old. Although some casinos have minimum of 18 or 19.
• Alcohol Age
  The legal drinking age in Ohio is 21 years old.
• Weed Age
  Recreational cannabis is not legal in Ohio, there is no minimum age.

Responsible Gambling and Addiction Prevention

Ohio runs an initiative called beforeyoubet which offers help, advice and education for safe gambling. The aim is to help people understand the warning signs of problem gamblers before it gets out of hand. There are many things offered including counselling for both personal reasons and financial counsel. They provide a helpline for everyone, including the friends and family of the gambler. There are also gamblers anonymous meetings available.

Can I Play Without Deposit?

As there is no online casino in Ohio there are no opportunities to play without a deposit. However, many sites outside the state do offer the chance to play the games on their websites without depositing any real cash. These offers allow players to try out the game with a set amount of bonus money. It is possible to withdraw any winnings, but these are restricted to specific conditions. Some sites require a playthrough condition before any winnings can be withdrawn.

Upcoming Casino Regulation and Expected Changes

Ohio has not had any efforts to legalize internet gambling. It is very unlikely that any changes will be made to this law. It is expected, as with many other states, that they are watching New Jersey. They have legalized online casinos and will set the precedent as to a good manner in which to operate. In time it is likely that many other states will follow their pattern and setup and introduce. If there are any changes to this, we will be sure to keep you updated.

Casino Guides for Nearby States

• Michigan
• Kentucky
• Indiana
• Pennsylvania