Dayton is home to the First Four—March Madness starts here every year. But the city's retail betting scene is smaller than Ohio's major metros. Here's what's available for in-person sports betting in the Miami Valley.
Miami Valley Gaming
🎰 Miami Valley Gaming Sportsbook
Miami Valley Gaming is a racino located in Lebanon, about 20 minutes south of downtown Dayton. It combines harness racing with VLT gaming and a sportsbook. While not in Dayton proper, it's the best retail sportsbook option for Miami Valley residents.
What's available: Full sports betting menu with self-service kiosks. The sportsbook area is modest but functional. You can watch and bet on horse racing simultaneously.
Miami Valley Gaming is part of Churchill Downs' portfolio (same company as TwinSpires). It's smaller than the big-city casinos but offers a less crowded experience—even on NFL Sundays, you won't face long lines.
Miami Valley Gaming is affiliated with TwinSpires, Churchill Downs' betting platform. If you bet horse racing online with TwinSpires, you're already connected to this property.
First Four: Dayton's March Madness Moment
Every March, Dayton hosts the First Four—the opening games of the NCAA Tournament. This creates a unique betting atmosphere:
- UD Arena is packed with fans from bubble teams fighting for their tournament lives
- Local sports bars become impromptu betting headquarters
- Mobile apps work everywhere—bet from your seat at UD Arena
- Bar kiosks see heavy traffic during First Four week
First Four games often feature lower-seeded teams with limited betting history. Lines can be soft compared to later tournament rounds. See our First Four betting guide for strategy.
Bar Kiosks in Dayton Area
UBetOhio operates bar kiosks at select Dayton-area locations:
- Sports bars in the Oregon District
- Select locations in Kettering and Centerville
- Various bars in Beavercreek and Fairborn (near Wright-Patt AFB)
- Some locations in Springfield
Bar kiosk availability has decreased since the Intralot pullout. Call ahead before making a dedicated trip.
Other Options Near Dayton
Hard Rock Cincinnati (60 min)
For the full casino sportsbook experience, Hard Rock Cincinnati is about an hour south. It has the largest sportsbook in the region with stadium seating and a massive video wall. Worth the drive for big games.
Hollywood Casino Columbus (70 min)
Northeast of Dayton, Hollywood Columbus offers another full-service casino sportsbook option. About the same drive time as Cincinnati depending on where in Dayton you start.
Wright-Patterson AFB Note
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is one of the largest military installations in the country. For base personnel:
- Mobile sports betting apps work on base (you're in Ohio)
- The base itself doesn't have sports betting facilities
- Beavercreek and Fairborn have the closest bar kiosks
- Miami Valley Gaming is about 25 minutes from the base
University of Dayton Games
UD Flyers basketball is huge in Dayton. While you can't bet inside UD Arena, mobile apps work throughout the venue. A few notes:
- Ohio's college prop ban applies—no player props on Ohio schools
- You can bet spreads, totals, and moneylines on Flyers games
- Lines on smaller schools like Dayton can be softer than power conferences
Mobile Betting: The Dayton Reality
For most Dayton bettors, mobile apps are the primary option. The closest sportsbook (Miami Valley Gaming) is a 20+ minute drive, making it impractical for casual betting. Use retail for:
- First Four watch parties
- Big game experiences (Super Bowl, CFP)
- Social outings with betting friends
Use mobile for everything else.