Ohio Legal Online Gambling
Ohio was not always the gambling friendly environment it represents now. The state was slow to introduce and pass legislation that allows state regulated gambling in several different forms. A struggling state budget and lost revenue from citizens visiting neighboring states for gambling entertainment has helped warm up the climate in Ohio for embracing certain forms of gambling entertainment. The Buckeye State now boasts multiple state casinos and racinos, as well as various forms of charitable gambling and pari-mutuel wagering. The state also operates a lottery program to round out its legal betting portfolio.
There have been a lot of changes to the legal landscape concerning gambling in the United States. From a formal clarification on the Federal Wire Act to the emergence of state licensed online gambling initiatives in a handful of states, the gambling industry’s presence and infrastructure has become fluid, with an ebb and flow that results in some very significant changes nationwide. This page of our guide will discuss this ebb and flow as it pertains to Ohio’s gambling industry and the legally betting options afforded to the citizens and visitors of this great state. You will find information pertaining to both offline and online gambling entertainment, with a birds eye view into our assessment of the legal status of gambling in the state.
We are not attorneys and are not making any type of effort to provide professional legal services or advice. What you read on the pages of our website is for informational purposes only, and is not to be confused with professional legal advice. The information contained on the pages of our resource guide does reflect a combined experience in the gambling arena that spans decades, all purposed to understanding and applying relevant information associated with the gambling industry and its participants.
Online Gambling Laws To Consider In Ohio
In 2013, the issue of Internet Sweepstakes Cafes was intended to be presented to voters on the 2014 ballot, however the measure lacked the required number of signatures. While the issue continues to be discussed and addressed, Internet Sweepstakes Cafes that have become compliance certified and have met state regulations are permitted to operate in Ohio, with a maximum daily prize payout of ten dollars per day. A list of approved Internet Sweepstakes Cafes in Ohio can be found on the Attorney General’s website page covering Services for Ohio Internet Sweepstakes Cafes.
Is Online Gambling Legal In Ohio?
Other than the issue of Internet cafes, the gambling laws in Ohio are silent on the topic of online gambling. This means that it is not legal for anyone to own or operate an online casino, poker room or sportsbook inside of Ohio’s state borders. On the bright side, the omission of online gambling regulations in the state’s statutes means that citizens are not prevented from legally participating in licensed and regulated online gambling sites that are located outside of the United States. This means that Ohio’s residents are free to engage in licensed online gambling from legitimate offshore businesses that are subject to strict regulatory oversight. You will find recommendations on this page for legally sanctioned gambling sites that accept players from Ohio.OH State Facts & Quick Jump Menu
| State Facts | Quick Jump |
|---|---|
| State Motto: With God, all things are possible | Top Rated Site |
| State Population: 11.59 Million | Ohio Casinos |
| Land Casinos: 10+ | Ohio Sportsbooks |
| Land Poker Rooms: 8 | Ohio Poker |
| Legal Gambling Age: 18 | Frequently Asked Questions |
| Projected Year For Legalization: 2023 | Ohio Gambling News |
Bovada Sportsbook And Casino accepts Ohio players and is one of the most reputable online sports betting sites that still cater to the USA market. Their parent company has been in business since the late 90s and have a perfect track record for paying players on time, offering excellent support and an overall no nonsense gambling environment for their players. Bovada has a special 50% bonus up to $250 for sports bettors and up to $3,000 free for casino players. 
State licensed online casinos are not legal yet in Ohio, but there are no provisions in the state’s gambling laws that prevent players in Ohio from enjoying legally regulated online casino gambling from international gambling sites. The key to keeping things legal here is to limit your gambling activities to those brands that are genuinely operating legitimately within the industry. The online casinos recommended in this guide are all legitimately licensed and regulated, and legally sanctioned by a respected governing jurisdiction that has legalized online casinos for their region. Playing real money casinos games online at these types of internet casinos is not a violation of Ohio state laws or US federal gambling laws. 
Sports betting has a few more intricacies than other gambling venues in the US. Individual states are free to determine their own destinies concerning online casino and poker gambling. However, US based online and offline sportsbook gambling is prohibited within the state of Ohio. Two applicable US federal laws mandate this prohibition: the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) and the Federal Wire Act. These two laws combine to effectively ban US based sports betting in Ohio.
Online poker rooms are in the same category as the online casinos are. State regulated options have not yet been legalized, but it is not a crime to engage in online poker gaming at licensed and regulated international poker sites that accept players from Ohio. We have provided information regarding the industry’s leading US friendly online poker sites, as well as one click access to the sites that we have vetted and approved ourselves as legally sanctioned and high quality destinations. All of these sites fulfill the requirements for operating legally within the global online poker industry, and they all offer a premium online poker experience.
