Ohio is known as the home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the birthplace of aviation, and America’s favorite amusement park, Cedar Point. Gambling is not a top Buckeye state association. Yet, multiple forms of this activity are legal in Ohio, as Ohioans are free to partake in casino games, sports and horse race betting, skill-based amusement machines, and lotteries. Concerning the latter option, keno is an established and versatile pick that often gets overlooked.
Keno is a unique lottery-style game because it gets offered by state lotteries, modern casinos, and bars. That is so because it implements the pari-mutuel betting system where all wagers get placed in a rewards pool, with the organizer taking a fee, also called a vig, for going through the trouble of offering the game. It is what gives keno its diversity.
Aside from its wide availability in Ohio, the appeal of keno lies in that it is a relatively simple game to play. All players have to do is choose up to twenty numbers from one to eighty and wait for a machine to make its random selection. Depending on how many of their chosen ones match up with those the machine picked, they win a corresponding prize. There are many tutorials online outlining the different keno tickets and bets explained. So, below, we will rattle off a few quality places where anyone interested in this gambling option can enjoy it in Ohio.
Online Keno in Ohio
The Ohio Lottery got officially formed in 1973, with State Senator Ron Mottl pushing through its creation via an initiative he began in 1971. Nine members and a director appointed by the state’s Governor comprise the Ohio Lottery Commission, the body that runs the Ohio Lottery. Aside from classic lotto draws, this organization also provides Keno. At first, this game had a limited reach in Ohio, as only retailers selling alcoholic beverages, restaurants, and bars could offer it. However, in 2012, the Ohio Lottery began selling Keno to Go tickets at their outlets, with draws taking place every four minutes, featuring $1 minimum tickets.
Scioto Downs
Scioto Downs is a casino and horse racing track in Columbus. Caesars Entertainment owns and operates it, and it opened its doors in the summer of 2012. From that point on, it has managed to stay active non-stop, 24/7. Naturally, live harness racing is the chief allure of this venue. Nevertheless, it also features a 117,000 square feet gaming floor that houses more than two thousand video lottery terminals. Some of these are keno games. Moreover, Ohio Lottery games are available here, with prize cashing open from Monday to Thursday, from 8 AM to 4 PM.
Hollywood Casino Toledo
Found at 777 Hollywood Boulevard in Toledo, this Penn National operated spot also got up and running in 2021. Its birth stemmed from a deal Penn National struck with Leaks Entertainment, a Minnesota gaming operator, in 2008. The establishment is one of the only fully-stacked casinos in Ohio, housing slots, table games, and poker action inside its 125,000 square foot gaming floor. Video keno is one of the gambling machines in the sea of two thousand available here. It is an option many prefer because it offers far better odds than the traditional version.
Jack Thistledown Racino
Jack Thistledown Racino is a thoroughbred race track in North Randall. They operates this racino, which Vici Properties owns. It launched its casino operations in 2013, yet the horse racing side of this property has been running since the early 1930s. The gaming space here sprawls 57,000 square feet, featuring hundreds of gambling machines. Of course, amongst these are dozens of keno ones. Power Keno is an established and popular pick that many Jack Thistledown Racino patrons seem to enjoy. It can yield excellent prizes that go up into several thousand dollars made through quarter bets.
Forage Public House
Since we mentioned that keno is also available at bars and restaurants, it would be ill-advised not to list one such venue in our article. The Forage Public House is a gastropub in downtown Lakewood that serves new American cuisine, craft beer, and specialty cocktails and also supplies keno action. The drink list here is impressive, boasting fourteen draft beers and a vast selection of seasonal wines. There is no dress code at the Forage Public House, and the atmosphere is casual. It is a family-friendly joint that frequently runs live entertainment events.
Play Keno Online
Of course, gambling online is always a viable alternative. Most online casinos offer software-based lottery-style products, and keno ranks at the top of this batch. The numbers that most often hit in the digital sphere are the same ones that land in state-run organized draws. They are 3, 10, 16, 44, 58, and 66.
About the Author
Shelly Schiff has been working in the gambling industry since 2009, mainly on the digital side of things, employed by OUSC. However, over her eleven-year career, Shelly has provided content for many other top interactive gaming websites. She knows all there is to know about slots and has in-depth knowledge of the most popular table games. Her golden retriever Garry occupies most of her leisure time. Though, when she can, she loves reading Jim Thompson-like crime novels.
