Horse Racing and pari-mutuel wagering on horse races are permitted in accordance with Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3769. There are three types of racing facilities in Ohio:
Thoroughbred Race Tracks Three commercial facilities offer live thoroughbred racing. These facilities also offer simulcast racing.
Standard Race Tracks Four commercial facilities offer live standard (or harness) racing. These facilities also offer simulcast racing.
Off-Track Betting Parlor One off-track facility offers video simulcasts of races around the country for viewing and wagering purposes, but no live races.
Ohio’s race tracks are also permitted to conduct video lottery sales by use of video lottery terminals overseen by the Ohio Lottery Commission.
Ohio permits businesses to promote their products and services by conducting bona fide sweepstakes promotions. A sweepstakes is not gambling because the participants do not pay for the chance to win a prize. Instead, they receive the chance to win based on their purchase of a bona fide product, or based on an alternate means of entry.
Ohio permits participant wagers on the outcome of a game of skill. Creative contests, wagers on video game competitions and chess tournaments all fall under this category. For example, in a chess tournament a chess player could bet money against his opponent that he will win. A spectator of the chess game could not wager on the outcome because the spectator is not controlling the outcome of the game.
