Casino near columbus ohio
Find casinos near Columbus, Ohio offering slots, table games, and live entertainment. Explore venues close to downtown, including options in Delaware and Marysville, with details on dining, promotions, and visitor accessibility.
Discover Top Casinos Near Columbus Ohio Your Guide to Nearby Gaming Venues and Options
For those seeking high-energy leisure options within a 30-minute radius of the state’s capital, Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway offers 1,900+ slot machines, 40+ live table games, and a year-round harness racing schedule. Located at 777 Hollywood Blvd., this venue features five on-site restaurants, including Final Cut Steakhouse with signature dry-aged cuts, and hosts live music events monthly. Validate parking for complimentary valet service.
Scioto Downs Racino, situated 9 miles south of downtown at 6000 S. High St., combines 2,300 electronic gaming terminals with seasonal thoroughbred racing. The property’s Clubhouse Pavilion provides trackside dining with a view of the homestretch, while the newly renovated 1928 Club serves craft cocktails in a speakeasy-inspired setting. Thursday night fireworks during summer months draw 5,000+ weekly attendees–arrive before 7 PM for preferred seating.
Local regulations mandate all gaming floors operate 24/7 with age-restricted zones clearly marked. Mobile apps for both properties enable real-time reservations at Prime Rib Grill (Scioto) or The Final Cut (Hollywood), reducing wait times by 43% compared to walk-ins. Patrons using the Dual Rewards loyalty program report 22% higher returns on promotional credits when linking accounts across venues.
Gaming Venues in Central Ohio: A Practical Guide
Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway, 45 minutes west of the state capital, offers 2,100 slots and 40+ table games. Open 24/7, this spot features a high-limit lounge and a seasonal outdoor patio with live music. Check their calendar for weekend poker tournaments with buy-ins starting at $100.
Miami Valley Gaming, 90 miles southwest, pairs 1,800 electronic machines with live harness racing April-November. Their Thursday steak special ($19.99) at the Final Turn restaurant draws consistent crowds–arrive before 6 PM to avoid wait times.
For proximity without overnight stays, Scioto Downs operates 2,300 gaming terminals 10 miles south of downtown, accessible via COTA Bus Route 5 until midnight. Free parking includes EV charging stations, while the Winners Circle Bar serves craft cocktails from Ohio City Provisions.
Weekday visitors save: most properties offer 2x loyalty points Monday-Thursday. Download venue apps for real-time machine availability updates. State law requires cashless wagering accounts to be funded through on-site kiosks; bring physical ID for verification.
Responsible gaming resources: Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-589-9966) provides free counseling. All venues enforce mandatory shut-off periods after 6 hours of continuous play.
Top 3 Gaming Venues Within 30 Miles of Downtown Columbus
1. Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway (12 miles northeast): Offers 1,800+ slot machines, 20 table games, and live harness racing. The venue features three dining options, including a sports bar with 50+ HD screens. Weekly tournaments and a rewards program with tiered perks attract regular visitors.
2. Eldorado Scioto Downs (8 miles south): Combines 2,200 slots with live thoroughbred racing from May to September. High-limit rooms and a seasonal outdoor terrace bar provide varied experiences. Their «Summer Concert Series» hosts major artists, paired with food trucks and VIP packages.
3. Miami Valley Gaming (28 miles southwest): Boasts Ohio’s largest gaming floor (2,400+ slots) and a 27-table poker room. A $5 million renovation in 2024 added a luxury lounge and a farm-to-table restaurant. Daily promotions include cash giveaways and free-play bonuses for new members.
Best Slot Machines and Table Games Available at Local Casinos
Buffalo Gold Revolution’s 4x4x5x4x5 reels dominate floors, offering free spins with multipliers up to 10x–seek venues hosting Megabucks progressives for seven-figure jackpots. Lightning Link cabinets remain popular, particularly Dragon Link variants with Hold & Spin mechanics averaging 94-96% RTP.
Three-card poker tables with Pair Plus payouts over 95% thrive in the region; look for Ultimate Texas Hold’em layouts featuring $5 minimums and bonus blind bets. Craps enthusiasts prefer spots offering 10x odds and fire bets, while roulette wheels with double-zero layouts dominate high-limit areas.
Newer additions include Monopoly Big Event slots with four progressive tiers and Wheel of Fortune Hyperlink systems linking 12+ machines for synchronized bonuses. Avoid older Quick Hit models–opt for Konami’s Double Money Burst or IGT’s Star Coins for higher volatility payouts exceeding 2,500x stakes.
Blackjack variations shine at properties with 3:2 natural payouts and continuous shufflers: Spanish 21’s late-surrender rule and Perfect Pairs side bets attract strategy-focused players. Electronic hybrid tables, like Stadium Blackjack terminals, enable $3 hands with live-dealer streaming.
How to Join Player Clubs for Free Drinks and Discounts
Visit the loyalty desk immediately upon entering the venue–most require only a government-issued ID and phone number to enroll. Activate tiered rewards by linking your membership card to slot machines or table games; swiping the card during play tracks points toward comps like complimentary beverages or discounted meals.
- Track minimum play thresholds: Earn 1 point per $5 wagered at slots or $10 on tables–accumulate 500 points daily for waived resort fees or priority seating.
- Opt-in for email/SMS alerts: Members receive exclusive weekday happy hour codes (e.g., 2-for-1 cocktails 4–6 PM) and birthday rewards (free buffet passes or $25 gaming credits).
- Use partner apps: Sync your player account with regional dining or hotel apps to double-dip rewards (e.g., 10% off spa services + 50 bonus points per dollar spent).
Upgrade tiers faster by attending themed events–Blackjack tournaments on Saturdays often award 3x points. High-tier members gain lounge access with premium liquor selections and reserved parking. Always present your card when ordering: bartenders comp 1 drink hourly for active players.
- Request a physical card at enrollment; digital versions may delay point accrual.
- Check point balances via kiosks near restrooms or through the venue’s mobile portal.
- Combine offers strategically–use “Free Appetizer” coupons with happy hour discounts for $0 out-of-pocket dining.