Nice slot machine casino downstairs and live horse racing and simulcast horse betting. About 30 minutes east of airport and downtown. I enjoyed playing slots and placing a few horse bets upstairs. Slots here paid me more often than Downtown Casino slots. Plenty of parking including an enclosed lot. If you like gambling a nice place to gamble. Crystal Prize Selection Wolf Slot Machine Bonus - Aruze Gaming. FrankGarrettt. Location: Thistledown Racino, Bet: 60c (2c denom) After uploading Timber Wolf yesterday it seemed appropriate to release this next! I originally thought these games were real. Video Slots - Free Online Games.
Introduction to Ohio Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020
Ohio slot machine casino gambling consists of eleven casinos. Four are stand-alone casinos with table games while seven casinos are pari-mutuel racinos with horse tracks and simulcast betting.
Ohio casinos have a minimum theoretical payout limit. Return statistics are publicly available.
This post continues my weekly State-By-State Slot Machine Casino Gambling Series, an online resource dedicated to guiding slot machine casino gambler to success. Now in its third year, each weekly post reviews slots gambling in a single U.S. state, territory, or federal district.
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Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in Ohio*
The minimum legal gambling age in Ohio depends upon the gambling activity:
- Land-Based Casinos: 21
- Poker Rooms: 21
- Bingo: 18
- Lottery: 18
- Pari-Mutuel Wagering: 18
In 1933, an approved constitutional amendment legalized pari-mutual wagering at racetracks. The 1970s saw the arrival of the lottery and charity bingo. Social poker games have always existed, but the house must not profit from the game.
The original operators of Ohio’s four stand-alone casinos backed a proposed constitutional amendment. In November 2009, 52% of voters approved the constitutional amendment allowing one casino in the cities of:
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Toledo
In addition to the usual fees and taxes imposed on Ohio businesses, the constitutional amendment required or specified:
Thistledown Race Track
- A 33% tax on gross casino revenue
- Distribution of the proceeds of the tax
- A license fee of $50 million per casino dedicated to workforce development
- An initial capital investment of $250 million for the development of each casino facility
- The existence of the Ohio Casino Control Commission
- The Ohio General Assembly would pass other laws to facilitate the operation of the casino gaming amendment
- A maximum of 5,000 slot machines at each casino facility
- There is no limit on the number of table games allowed
Subsequent changes in state lottery legislation allowed pari-mutual racetracks to begin offer video lottery terminal (VLT) style slot machines in 2012. These were the first racinos in Ohio.
*The purpose of this section is to inform the public of state gambling laws and how the laws might apply to various forms of gaming. It is not legal advice.
Slot Machine Private Ownership in Ohio
It is legal to own a slot machine privately in the state of Ohio without restriction as to its date of manufacture.
Gaming Control Board in Ohio
In 2009, a constitutional amendment created the Ohio Casino Control Commission. Its website is comprehensive but only applies to slot machine casino gambling at Ohio’s four stand-alone casinos.
In 1973, a constitutional amendment established the Ohio Lottery Commission. The Ohio Lottery eventually became responsible for and controls video slot machines found at Ohio’s seven racinos. These pari-mutuel racetracks began adding VLT-style slot machines starting in 2012.
The state gaming commission offers significant resources for slots enthusiasts besides return statistics. For instance, enforcement provides quarterly and fiscal year gaming crimes and statistics including offenses by statute.
Casinos in Ohio
There are four commercial casino resorts and seven commercial pari-mutuel racetracks with simulcast betting as well as slot machines in Ohio.
The largest casino in Ohio is Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs with 2,386 gaming machines in February 2020.
The second-largest casino is MGM Northfield Park with 2,183 gaming machines in February 2020.
Commercial Casinos in Ohio
The four casino resorts in Ohio are:
- Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati found in downtown Cincinnati located 106 miles southwest of Columbus along the Ohio River near the borders of Kentucky and Indiana.
- Hollywood Casino Columbus in Ohio’s capital of Columbus.
- Hollywood Casino Toledo found 140 miles north of Columbus near the border to Michigan.
- JACK Cleveland Casino found 144 miles northeast of Columbus near Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland.
The seven pari-mutual racetracks with VLT-style slot machines in Ohio are:
- Belterra Park found 10 miles southeast of downtown Cincinnati on the Ohio River.
- Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs found 11 miles south of downtown Columbus.
- Hollywood Gaming Dayton Raceway found 59 miles north of Cincinnati.
- Hollywood Gaming Mahoning Valley Race Course in Youngstown found 68 miles southeast of Cleveland.
- JACK Thistledown Racino in North Randall found 16 miles southeast of Cleveland.
- MGM Northfield Park found 18 miles southeast of Cleveland.
- Miami Valley Gaming in Lebanon found 30 miles north of Cincinnati.
Tribal Casinos in Ohio
Ohio has no tribal casinos as no federally-recognized American Indian tribes exist in this state.
Other Gambling Establishments
Thistledown Racino Slot Machines Wins
As an alternative to enjoying Ohio slot machine casino gambling, consider exploring casino options in a nearby state. Bordering Ohio is:
- North: Michigan Slots and Lake Erie
- East: Pennsylvania Slots
- Southeast: West Virginia Slots
- South: Kentucky Slots
- West: Indiana Slots
Each of the links above will take you to my blog for that neighboring U.S. state to Ohio.
Our Ohio Slots Facebook Group
Are you interested in sharing and learning with other slots enthusiasts in Ohio? If so, join our new Ohio slots community on Facebook. All you’ll need is a Facebook profile to join this closed Facebook Group freely.
There, you’ll be able to privately share your slots experiences as well as chat with players about slots gambling in Ohio. Join us!
Payout Returns in Ohio
Ohio’s Gaming Control Act section 3772.20 states that the minimum theoretical payout is 85% for slot machines at Ohio’s casino resorts. This same payout limit applies to slot machines at Ohio’s racetracks with slot machines thanks to the Ohio Lottery’s Video Lottery Game Rules.
Ohio’s five stand-alone casino resorts have return statistics publicly available from the Ohio Gaming Commission. However, Ohio’s seven racetracks with slot machines have their return statistics available from the Ohio Lottery. Both sources offer return statistics by:
- Month
- Casino
- State-wide
In February 2020, Monthly Casino Revenue Reports from the Ohio Gaming Commission shows return statistics for the four casino resorts were:
- State-Wide: 91.82%
- Hard Rock Cincinnati: 92.03%
- Hollywood Columbus: 92.06%
- Hollywood Toledo: 90.97%
- JACK Cleveland: 92.29%
The highest return for casino resorts went to JACK Cleveland at 92.3% while the lowest went to Hollywood Toledo at 91.0%.
In February 2020, VLT Fiscal Revenue Reports from the Ohio Lottery shows return statistics for the seven racinos were:
- State-Wide: 90.79%
- Belterra Park: 90.90%
- Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs: 90.48%
- Hollywood Gaming Dayton Raceway: 90.71%
- Hollywood Gaming Mahoning Valley Race Course: 90.20%
- JACK Thistledown Racino: 90.64%
- MGM Northfield Park: 90.97%
- Miami Valley Gaming: 91.31%
The highest return for racinos went to Miami Valley Gaming at 91.3% while the lowest went to Hollywood Mahoning Valley at 90.2%. Overall, JACK Cleveland had the best return of any casino or racino in Ohio while Hollywood Mahoning Valley had the lowest.
Summary of Ohio Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020
Ohio slot machine casino gambling consists of eleven casinos operating under two gaming commissions. These casinos include four stand-alone casino resorts regulated by the Ohio Gaming Commission and seven racinos with pari-mutuel wagering and video-lottery-terminal (VLT) style slot machines regulated and controlled by the Ohio Lottery.
The minimum theoretical payout limit at all Ohio casinos is 85%. Each gaming control board offers monthly return statistics which are publicly available.
Annual Progress in Ohio Slot Machine Casino Gambling
In the last year, JACK Cincinnati has officially switched ownership to Hard Rock Cincinnati. Further, in Cincinnati over the last year, Boyd Gaming operates Belterra Park after this racino’s purchase in late 2018.
Related Articles from Professor Slots
Other State-By-State Articles from Professor Slots
- Previous: Northern Mariana Islands Slot Machine Casino Gambling
- Next: Oklahoma Slot Machine Casino Gambling
Have fun, be safe, and make good choices!
By Jon H. Friedl, Jr. Ph.D., President
Jon Friedl, LLC
Jack Thistledown Racino is the thoroughbred horse racing sister of Jack Cleveland Casino and located just a short drive away in North Randall, Ohio. Like Jack Cleveland, this casino is located in the Cleveland area but on the city’s outskirts, yet still within the boundaries of good old Cuyahoga County.
That said, if thoroughbred racing is your thing, then you have to try your hand at this racino. Owned by the same company called Jack Entertainment, you won’t find a shortage of casino thrills here. Instead, you’ll find a different type of gaming environment.
Even if you like to vary your gaming experience, then this racino is worth the trip if you’re traveling through the Cleveland area and looking for something fun and exciting when gambling in Ohio.
Let’s look at some history and everything this casino has to offer.
The Jack Thistledown Racino History
Like most racinos in Ohio, you can trace the racetrack’s roots long before the first slot machine entered the premises. Founded in 1931 under the Ohio Racing Commission, it wasn’t until 2013 did the venue officially open its casino sector.
The history of the racetrack itself is beyond rich, being the site of the Ohio Derby, which can trace its roots all the way back to 1876.
The track is also part of the 7/7 program, meaning Jack Thistledown and Belterra Park race seven races simultaneously.
In 2007, Manga Entertainment, the track’s parent company, started shopping the track after suffering heavy losses from 2004 to 2006. Finally, in 2010, Harrah’s Entertainment, known today as Caesar’s Entertainment, purchased the track and in the Summer of 2012, entered a joint-venture with Rock Gaming.
In 2012, they announced that an $88 million dollar project was underway to turn the racetrack into a racino following a memorandum in June that allowed racetracks in the State of Ohio to offer video lottery terminals.
Rock Gaming bought the remaining stakes from Caesars in 2015, and in 2016, the company announced it was rebranding into Jack Entertainment. The racino closed for a day in March 2016 to rebrand along with its sister casino up in Cleveland.
And in 2020, Jack Entertainment sold the property to Vici Properties and in a leaseback, they continued to rent the properties from Vici while remaining the operating license holder.
Now that you got a bit of an idea on the racino’s history, let’s look at its gaming options.
The Jack Thistledown Racino Gaming Scene
Now, unfortunately this racino does not offer table games, but nearby Jack Cleveland Casino does so if that’s your thing, definitely check it out. However, if you like real money slots, then you’re in luck.
Whether you’re here for simple penny bets, or if you’d like to explore the gaming offered in the VIP area, this racino has what you’re looking for.
Jack Thistledown Dining
This racino offers anything and everything that you’re looking for with six restaurants and bars located on-site. So if you’re looking to take a quick lunch or dinner break from the endless gaming, you’ll love Jack Thistledown Racino’s dining options.
Here’s the rundown:
If locally grown cuisine made from scratch is among your personal preferences, you’ll love Millcreek Grille. It’s the racino’s latest restaurant, and they make each dish from complete scratch. You’re looking at fresh from the farm ingredients every time you step into Millcreek Grille.
Nonna Pazza is the racino’s premier pasta outlet. And if you like seeing the best chefs in the area, prepare food right in front of you, you’re in luck. Like Millcreek Grille, they make every dish from scratch with fresh from the farm ingredients. Your food can’t get any cleaner.
Looking for some good old American food? Well, the American Burger Bar is your answer. Build your own burger, order a side of fries and a milkshake, and you have a classic American meal right in front of you. Sit back and enjoy the best burgers around.
Perhaps classic Philly steak is on your mind. Steaks and Rings has you covered. You’re looking at the best and most filling steak hoagies in town. Ones that will hold you over as you return to the gaming floor and hopefully secure that winning bet.
Cleo’s Hometown Bar brings you a neighborhood bar atmosphere. Think Cheers. The TV show Cheers, that is, and you’ll get a general idea of what you’re getting at Cleo’s. Whether beer, wine, or cocktails are on your mind, you will find them at Cleo’s.
Centerbar is the premier location to enjoy the big game or the big race with its 9 big-screen TVs featuring top audio.
Jack Thistledown Promotions and Entertainment
Promotions at Jack Thistledown include more ways for you to win every time you step into the casino. Whether there’s a $5,000 jackpot party going on, a VLT Tournament, a $5,000 Top Players party, or a themed promo, it’s all happening at Jack Thistledown.
Entertainment at Jack Thistledown includes some of the hottest local acts in the area. Whether you’re looking for DJs, comedy, or music, you will find it at Jack Thistledown. Be sure to check the event schedule often by clicking the link above to discover which local acts are on their way.
Nearby Area Attractions
The Cleveland area possesses its fair share of attractions, so go ahead and schedule a bus tour to downtown Cleveland where you can get a glimpse of everything the city and the surrounding area has to offer.
Or, you can always venture into the city yourself and if you do so, this section is for you. You can always hit up Lake Erie’s many beaches for sunbathing, swimming, fishing, and more. Especially in the summer.
If you’re into the sporting scene, then this area is a hotbed. If you’re looking to venture 40 minutes south, you can take a tour of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in nearby Canton, Ohio. Or, if you’re into football, basketball, baseball, or hockey, Cleveland will provide.
Catch the Browns at a local Browns bar or tailgate before a game in Muni Lot. You’ll always find good seats for the MLB’s Cleveland Indians or the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers when in season.
Or if professional minor league hockey interests you, the AHL’s Lake Erie Monsters will provide a glimpse of future hockey stars for their NHL affiliate, the Columbus Blue Jackets.
If there’s one thing you’ll never find a shortage of in Cleveland, it’s the local sports scene. And those fans are some of the most loyal around.
And of course, head over to the sister property Jack Casino Cleveland for more slot games and a plethora of table gaming.
The Racing Scene at Jack Thistledown
And we can’t close out the article unless we mention the primary attraction at Jack Thistledown. Live Thoroughbred Racing.
Horse Racing occurs at the track Monday through Thursday with the first race beginning at 12:50 pm.
For more information, check out the Jack Thistledown Racing page and you will receive up-to-date information on everything horse racing-related.
Info ranges from news to upcoming events, and more, including scratches/changes, the current condition book, entries, results, and overviews of race details and information. With the information given at your disposal, you have everything you need to place a solid bet.
And if for any reason you can’t make the live horse racing events, don’t worry. You can always view the live simulcast for every race run at Jack Thistledown.
Check the event calendar often, pick an event or two to attend, wager on your favorite horse, enjoy the eight-race card, perhaps you’ll leave the racetrack with some deeper pockets.
Conclusion
For all of you horse racing fans, Jack Thistledown Racino is your place to be. And while it doesn’t offer table games, it offers a live racing atmosphere featuring some of the best events in the State of Ohio.
And if you’re looking to take a break from the events, there’s always the newest casino game to be played or fantastic dining options to take advantage of.
If you’re vacationing or even passing through town, then take a day or two and explore the City of Cleveland. Whether you’re into the sports scene, the outdoors, or into touring the nearby hall of fame museums, the nearby attractions in Cleveland have you covered.
Have you been to Jack Thistledown? If so, share your experience in the comments.