624.03   OPERATING A GAMBLING HOUSE.
   (a)   No person, being the owner or lessee, or having custody, control, or supervision of premises, shall:
      (1)   Use or occupy the premises for gambling in violation of Ohio R.C. 2915.02 or a substantially similar municipal ordinance.
      (2)   Recklessly permit the premises to be used or occupied for gambling in violation of Ohio R.C. 2915.02 or a substantially similar municipal ordinance.
   (b)   Whoever violates division (a) of this section is guilty of operating a gambling house, a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the offender previously has been convicted of a gambling offense, operating a gambling house is a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate State law.
   (c)   Premises used or occupied in violation of this section constitute a nuisance subject to abatement under Ohio R.C. Chapter 3767.
(ORC 2915.03)