Find the best casinos near Cincinnati, Ohio, with our comprehensive list of casino venues in and around the area. Get top casino advice from Ohio.Bet.
The Best Casinos Near Cincinnati
This article reveals the best casinos near Cincinnati, Ohio, and what you can expect from each venue. We highlight the top spots for gaming, entertainment, and dining.
Ohio residents have been lucky enough to enjoy a thriving casino scene since the state legalized casino gaming in 2009. The state has four full-service land-based casinos, and Cincinnati is home to one of these: The Hard Rock Casino.
It offers a full range of Vegas-style games, including popular slot machines, poker, and roulette. Plus, there’s plenty in the way of live entertainment and dining as you would expect from a Hard Rock venue.
While the other four casinos are a considerable distance from Cincinnati, as a resident of The Queen City, you won’t have to travel miles across the state to access other options, with the Belterra Park also in town, plus Newport Racing & Gaming just over the state line in Kentucky.
Gambling Legislation in Ohio
While Cincinnati casinos weren’t officially legalized until 2009, Ohioans have been able to legally bet on the horses since the early 20th Century, as well as the Ohio state lottery, which was established in 1973, and bingo followed two years later.
Finally, in late 2021, online sports betting was legalized, and retail sportsbooks and mobile apps launched in January 2023. As the industry continues to grow, we hope to see further legislation in the coming years that will allow us full access to online casino sites and the excitement of playing your favorite casino games from the comfort of home.
See all available sports gambling sites in Ohio here.
How We Assess Cincinnati Casinos
Until the time comes when the state opens up to online casinos, we have no choice but to play at land-based Cincinnati casinos and those accessible in neighboring states. To help you decide which is the best one for you, we’ve assessed the closest sites against the following criteria:
Accessibility
For this article, we focus on sites easily accessible for Cincinnati residents, so you won’t have to travel miles in the car. If you’re looking for a night out, you ideally want somewhere close by that ticks all your casino entertainment boxes.
Game Variety
To this end, we first look at the gaming options available. Are there lots of slots? Are there enough tables offering different stake limits? What about dedicated poker rooms or access to the racing? These are all important considerations when picking a suitable casino venue.
Live Entertainment
Visiting a land-based venue isn’t all about playing your favorite casino games. You want to make a night out of it with friends, so we’re always looking to see what entertainment the venue provides, from live music performances to members’ clubs, competitions, and more.
Food & Drink
No night out is complete without a few casual drinks or a nice meal, so we like to check out what dining options are available, and if it’s casual snacks, classic cocktails at the bar, or a full-on restaurant experience.
Accommodation
If you do want to make more than just a night out, having an on-site hotel or other accommodation options is a definite bonus. We also look out for what Cincinnati casinos have in terms of accommodation and options to stay in the surrounding areas.
TOP Casino Resorts in Cincinnati
Four full-service casinos are dotted around Ohio, with Cincinnati hosting one of the best venues in the state. In terms of casinos in Cincinnati, you have the Hard Rock Casino and Belterra Park racino, which are both easily accessible to Cincinnati residents.
There is also Newport Racing & Gaming just across the state border in Kentucky, which is closer than traveling upstate to Columbus or Cleveland.
Hard Rock Casino | Broadway Street, Cincinnati
🏆Best For: Live entertainment backed by a global brand.
💬Our editor’s view: “Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati is an Ohio venue that started life as a Horseshoe Casino before being taken over by the iconic Hard Rock brand in 2019. This vibrant casino venue features slots, table games, and live poker.
“There are more than 1600 slot machines, plus classic table games like blackjack, roulette, and craps, and if you’re a fan of poker, there’s a dedicated live poker room open 24/7.
“The site is known for its famous Hard Rock Café, which attracts visitors in its own right, serving classic American food and drink in its iconic rock-themed setting. For something more upmarket, you can also check out the Council Oak Stakes & Seafood restaurant, or Brick’d Pizza for classic cheesy deliciousness.
“Entertainment is a huge part of the Hard Rock experience, with live music and events hosted regularly. The jam-packed events calendar features international superstars such as Ludacris and Gabriel Iglesias, plus plenty of local acts catering to a wide audience.”
Belterra Park | Kellogg Road, Cincinnati
🏆Best For: Horse racing from around the country.
💬Our editor’s view: “Belterra Park is just off the I-275, making it an easily accessible venue from anywhere in the tri-state area, and only a 10-minute drive from downtown Cincinnati. Established in 2014, it’s a racino venue that combines horse racing and casino gaming, with over 1200 gaming machines, including slots and electronic table games.
“Racing fans can enjoy fantastic views of the track from the gaming terrace, where you can take in the racing as you play your favorite games and enjoy simulcast wagering on nationwide races.
“Four dining options are available for regular visitors, plus the exclusive Club 38, which is only accessible to Emerald, Onyx, and Titanium members of the world-renowned Boyd Rewards club.
“The Stadium Sports Bar & Grill and Burger Brothers offer casual dining, or for something a little more substantial, the Chef’s Table at Favorites provides a fantastic array of delicious meals from creamy pastas and fresh salads to succulent slow-roasted prime ribs.
“The Boyd Rewards club connects you to 27 different casino venues across the country, where you can earn rewards and move your way up the multi-tiered program through credits earned as you play, which you can cash in at any of the connected sites to enjoy discounts on accommodation, retail purchases, and even air miles for flights with Hawaiian Airlines.
Newport Racing & Gaming | Newport, Kentucky
🏆Best For: Generous loyalty program.
💬Our editor’s view: “Despite being in a different state, Newport Racing & Gaming is only a 5-minute drive away, making it one of the best casinos near Cincinnati. Regulated by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, the venue operates under the Churchill Downs brand and offers players a good racing and gaming experience.
“Newport Racing & Gaming is renowned for horse racing events and sports betting facilities, including simulcast wagering. You will also find slot machines, but no table gaming.
“It’s a smaller venue with limited entertainment and no hotel accommodation, but because it’s so close to the city, that shouldn’t be a concern for Cincinnati locals. There is an on-site Bar and Grille called Smiley’s, offering decent hot food, nutritious salads, and snacks until midnight Monday through Saturday and until 11pm on Sundays.
“The loyalty program stands out at Newport, offering rewards for members and a $50 free play bonus for all new members on sign-up. You can also use your card at the venue’s sister property, Turfway Park Racing & Gaming, about 10 miles from Cincinnati.”
Get The Latest from The Ohio Casino Scene
To get the latest betting and casino news from around the state, turn to the team at Ohio.Bet. We’re passionate about the industry and committed to giving you open and honest advice from local casino enthusiasts you can trust. Check out the rest of our reviews and other insights at Ohio.Bet today.
