Off Track Betting Ohio

While not widely considered a hotbed of horse racing, Ohio is in fact home to seven live racing venues, three for thoroughbreds and Quarterhorses, and four more for harness racing. All of these locations offer year-round simulcast wagering as well, and there is also one dedicated OTB location in Ohio outside of a live track, that being the Cedar Downs Off Track Betting Parlor in Sandusky.

Ohio Off Track Betting Sites

Even though there are multiple options for betting on horses in Ohio, that doens't mean it's always convenient to get to a simulcast facility on the day of a big race like the Kentucky Derby or Breeders' Cup. That's why it's a always great to have an account with one of these recommended online racebooks, so you never miss a major stakes race no matter where in Ohio you might be. 

When it comes to online wagering for horse racing fans, the best sites are the ones where the horses are considered in the webite platform to be just as important as the other sports that are offered. This is one of the reasons to like Bovada, as they come across as wanting to cater to horseplayers. In addition to standard features such as a first-deposit bonus and daily cash back on all wagers, they also offer one if the most comprehensive list of tracks in North America and overseas, more future bet wagers, and handicapping info on a Race of the Week, every week. 

Ohio Horse Race Tracks

No matter where you are in Ohio, you're never too far from a live racing track, be it for throughoughbreds and Quarterhorses at Mahoning Valley, Jack Thistledown or Belterra Park, or harness racing at Miami Valley, Dayton Raceway, Northfield Park or Scioto Downs. Mahoning Valley and Miami Valley are also full racino facilities with other types of casino gaming.  

Ohio OTB

OTB Locations in Ohio

Cedar Downs

While the name might suggest Cedar Downs is a live racing venue, it is in fact Ohio's only non-track stand-alone OTB. Managed by the same ownership group as the Northfield Park harness racing track, Cedar Downs is open every day of the week, from noon until midnight. They offer a full lineup of simulcast wagering on both thoroughbreds and harness racing, from most of the major tracks in North America.

Mahoning Valley Race Course

Mahoning Valley offers live thoroughbred and Quarter horse racing from late October to mid-April, with racing on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. They alos offer daily simulcast wagering from noon until 9 PM, 365 days per year. They are also a gaming facility with video lottery terminals and multiple dining and drinking options. 

Belterra Park

In operation since 1925, Belterra Park was first known as Coney Island Racetrack and then River Downs. They have more than 90 live thoroughbred racing dates, from late-April to early October, with afternoon racing every Thursday through Sunday. They have simulcast wagering their River Downs Club, seven days-per-week from 1:20 PM to 10 PM. Belterra has multiple dining and beverage options, and hosts live music in the Stadium Sports Bar & Grill every Friday.

Jack Thistledown Racino

Well known to race fans as simply Thistledown, this track is home to the $500,000 (G3) Ohio Derby, which often features horse that have recently competed in the Triple Crown series. Thistledown holds live racing from early May to late October, with racing on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday, with a post time of 1:40 PM. They offer daily year-round simlucasting starting at 1:40 PM. There is also video lottery gaming on site. 

Miami Valley Gaming and Racing

One of the newest racing and gaming facilities in the state of Ohio, Miami Vallet features harness racing, with live racing taking place form early January to early May. Sunday through Tuesday is afternoon racing, and Friday and Saturday is for evening racing. The simulcast facility is open throughout the year daily from noon to midnight. 

Northfield Park

For many years the home of harness racing in Ohio, Northfield Park offer year-round live racing on Monday, Tuesday, Wedmnesday and Saturday, with a post itme of 6 PM. They have 365 days of simulcast wagering on both harness racing and thoroughbreds from tracks around North America. 

Dayton Raceway

Dayton Raceway is a harness track and gaming facility, with live racing from mid-September to the end of December on Monday and Tuesday afternoons and Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Their simulcast facility is open daily from noon until 9 PM. For gaming they have video lottery terminals, and several options for food and beverages.

Scotio Downs

Live harness racing is held at Scotio Downs from mid-May to mid-September, with Tiuesday afternoon racing and evening racing most Wednesdays through to Saturdays. The simulcast facility is open every day. They have mmore than 2000 VLTs in their gaming facility, there are a half-dozen restaurant options, and a hotel on site.