Discover The Best Ohio Online Casinos

Top Ohio Gambling Sites

• Bovada  – Best Gambling Site for Ohioans
• DuckyLuck Casino  – Best Ohio Online Casino
• BetUS  – Best Sports Betting Site for OH
• Ignition Casino  – Best OH Poker Room
• Las Atlantis  – Best Bonus Package for OH
• TrustDice  – Best Cryptocurrency Gambling Site for Ohio
• Drake Casino  – Best Table Game Site for Ohio Players
• BetOnline  – Best Ohio Live Dealer Site

How Ohio Gambling Sites Compare

How We Choose the Best Gambling Sites for Ohioans

Bonuses

Entertainment

Safety

Transactions

The B.E.S.T. system is the comprehensive grading system we use to evaluate each of the gambling sites we review. To ensure an objective evaluation, we assign a score to each site based on the following four considerations.

• Bonuses – Because bonuses are an online gambling industry standard, we only recommend sites on the condition that bonus terms like rollover and maximum payout amounts are both fair and competitive.
• Entertainment Features – We rank sites based on the type of gambling options they offer. Instead of comparing casino-focused sites to sportsbooks, we reward points based on whether the site meets a set of category-related criteria, such as working with multiple reputable providers or offering a liberal selection of betting features and markets.
• Safety and Security – Information privacy and provably fair gameplay account for a substantial portion of a site’s overall B.E.S.T. rating. Considerations include encryption technologies, licensing, and the casino’s reputation.
• Transactions – A site’s transaction efficiency should uphold its promise of convenient gaming. For this reason, we consider transaction factors like transaction method selection, payout times, and fees–the most favorable being zero fees and a payout time of less than 24 hours.

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Is Gambling Legal in Ohio?

Regulated online gambling for real money in Ohio is available in the form of sports betting (House Bill 29)(1). Players looking to play online casino-style games like slots or table games can access a variety of offshore casinos like Bovada or DuckyLuck Casino.

In-person gambling is legal (Article XV, Section 6(C) of the Ohio Constitution)(2) in the form of sports betting, lottery, slots, and table games (including poker). For instance, there are four land-based casinos regulated by the Ohio Casino Control Commission, and seven racinos regulated by the Ohio Lottery Commission. Racinos house video lottery terminals (VLTs), which largely function the same way as standard slots.

Online Gambling

As permitted with the passage of House Bill 29 in December 2021, almost all online sports betting categories are legal. These include esports, collegiate sports, and fantasy sports. There is a restriction on sports wagering on primary and high school sports events, or any sports activity in which the participating athletes are under 18 years old. 

Regulated sports betting apps are run by Type A Sports Proprietor License(3) Holders. Such licenses may only be granted by the Ohio Casino Control Commission to existing Type B or C Sports Proprietor licensees, with commercial casinos and sports teams taking preference. 

Fantasy Sports were introduced with Ohio Code 3774(4) and are defined as simulated games or contests in which outcomes are influenced by the statistical performance of the athletes selected for rosters. These closely mirror the actual performance of professional athletes in real sports competitions.

As a result, winning outcomes for players depend primarily on their expertise and skill, showcasing their relative understanding of the game. Betting restrictions on this type of wagering include youth, high school, university, college, and horse racing-related events.  

• Horse Racing – Accessible at regulated online sportsbooks
• Lottery – Lottery tickets available via the Ohio Lottery App
• Poker -Accessible at offshore and sweepstakes casinos
• Sports Betting – Accessible at regulated online sportsbooks

Offshore Gambling

Offshore online casinos offer Ohio players a wider range of games and a more immersive experience compared to the limited options available within the state. Players can enjoy all-in-one access to slots, table games, live casino games, sports betting, poker, and more.

Offshore casinos fall under different jurisdictions, which means they are regulated by external authorities. Therefore, local players can relish the benefits of these casinos’ comprehensive offerings without legal repercussions.

Social Gambling

Home gaming, such as private poker games, is permitted under the condition that the host does not profit or publicly promote the facilitation of games (Ohio Revised Code – 2915.02). Social casinos, otherwise known as sweepstakes casinos, offer casino-style gambling options for online players. These platforms provide a free gaming experience in which players ‘wager’ and ‘win’ virtual tokens with no real monetary value.

Lottery

Players can legally purchase lottery tickets at thousands of retailers across the state. These are licensed and regulated by the Ohio Lottery Commission which was formed in 1973, when voters approved Senator Ronald M. Mottl’s 1971 campaign to introduce a state lottery. In 1987, legislation was passed that all net state lottery proceeds go toward the Lottery Profits Education Fund (Code 3770.06)(5). A massive $1.405B was transferred to the fund in the year 2022. 

Pari-Mutuel Betting

Players over the age of 18 may legally make pari-mutuel wagers on horse racing, as set out in Code 3769 of the Ohio Revised Code(6). This form of betting involves the pooling together of all the same types of bets. From this, the bookmaker’s cut and taxes are deducted, leaving behind a sum of money to be shared amongst the winning bets.

Land-Based Gambling Options in Ohio

As stipulated in Code 3772.02(7), there is a limit of four stand-alone casinos permitted in the state: JACK Casino Cleveland, Hollywood Casino Columbus, Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati, and Hollywood Casino Toledo. These casinos are regulated by the Ohio Casino Control Commission(8). The casinos themselves are entitled to establish their own minimum and maximum wagers.

The same code also stipulates that any slots and table games that are currently permitted within the states of Indiana, West Virginia, Michigan, and Pennsylvania may legally be provided at any of the above-regulated casinos. The rules under which these casinos operate include a maximum limit of 5,000 slot machines, with no limit on the number of table games. Apart from this, the conduct of these games is at the discretion of the casino under the condition that the Casino Control Commission approves a written application.

The definition of “table games” under the code is “any game played with cards, dice, or any mechanical, electromechanical, or electronic device or machine for money, casino credit, or any representative of value”.

Horse Race Tracks and Racinos

Horse racing facilities in Ohio, including the state’s seven racinos, are licensed by the Ohio State Racing Commission(9). All rules, including the forms of available wagering options, the number of races, and wagering procedures are prescribed by the commission itself, rather than at the discretion of the track. 

Chapter 3769 of the Revised code(10) permits on-track pari-mutuel wagering in addition to the simulcast wagering rooms that players can access when there are no live races at the state’s 14 satellite facilities. Players can expect no fewer than seven thoroughbred live races or nine live harness races at respective race tracks on a scheduled race day.  

The state’s racinos are located in or near Cincinnati, Dayton, Youngstown, Lebanon, Northfield, Columbus, and Cleveland. The conduct of these operations is overseen by the Ohio Lottery Commission. 

Sports Betting

Sports betting is legal (Senate Bill 176) and available at a variety of different locations including commercial casinos, racinos, bars, bowling alleys, and restaurants – each of which holds a Type A, B, or C Ohio Sports Proprietor license(11). 

• Type A licenses entitle the holder to offer sports betting via an online app, and can only be granted to a maximum of 25 licensees by the Ohio Casino Control Commission. All of these licensees must already possess a Type B or Type C license. 
• Type B licenses are held by physical sportsbooks and can only be granted a maximum of 40 times state-wide. The maximum number of Type B licenses per county is determined by the population of each. i.e. up to five licenses for counties with <800,000 people; up to 3 licenses for counties with 400,000 – 799,000 people; and up to 2 licenses for counties with 100,000 – 399,000 people. 
• Type C licenses are reserved for liquor licensees such as restaurants and bars, with the exception that Ohio lottery retailers may also apply regardless of whether a Type D liquor license is held. 

These facilities may allow bets on professional sports events, Olympic or international sports events, collegiate sports events, esports events, and motor races. It is not legal to bet on any events in which primary or high school students partake.  

Lottery

The Ohio Lottery Commission allows residents to enjoy multi-state games such as Powerball or Mega Millions, instant games, draw games, and keno. Players over 18 can purchase tickets at over 8,500 licensed retailers, including gas stations and convenience stores. Other lottery products include the video lottery terminals found at each of the state’s seven racinos.

Bingo

Charitable bingo is permitted if the organization holds a license issued under Chapter 2915.08 of the Revised Code(12), and there are more than 4,800 authorized locations in Ohio that feature regular bingo games. The attorney-general is in charge of reviewing and finalizing charitable gambling license applications. The conduct of events organized by charitable bingo organizations is outlined in Article XV, Section 6 of the Ohio Constitution. 

Unless prior approval is granted by the attorney general, no more than three bingo sessions may be conducted in a seven-day period These sessions are also strictly prohibited between midnight and 10 AM. Stipulations relevant to the player include an age restriction of 16+ and a maximum payout amount of $6,000 per bingo session. In addition, alcohol is expressly prohibited at any premises at which a bingo session is being conducted.

Ohio Gambling History

The Future of Gambling in Ohio

As of the official launch of regulated sports betting on January 1, 2023, there are no unfinalized gambling bills. Ohio’s lawmakers have been fairly generous in terms of regulated gambling options, leaving very little off their list of legal gambling categories.

The clear next step forward for Ohio gamblers would be state-regulated online casino-style gambling in the form of slots, table games, live casino, and multi-state poker. One could speculate that these options would more than likely be offered by existing online bookies (Type A Sports Proprietor Licensees) at first.

Gambling Responsibly

Ohio marshals a variety of state resources to assist individuals and their families in combating the challenges associated with gambling problems. Current estimates of the Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services says that more than 250,000 adult Ohioans are vulnerable to problem gambling.

To combat this, the state has developed a number of tools and resources to help:

• Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-589-9966 
• Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline: Live Chat
• Self-Exclusion List: Time Out Ohio
• Resource Page: State of Ohio Responsible Gambling
• National Council on Problem Gambling

Legal Sources

1. House Bill 29
2. Ohio Constitution Article XV
3. Lottery Sports Gaming Proprietors
4. Ohio Code – Chapter 3774 – Regulation of Fantasy Contests
5. Ohio Code 2015 3770.06
6. Ohio Code 3769.08
7. Ohio Code 3772.02
8. Ohio Casino Control Commission
9. Ohio State Racing Commission
10. Ohio Code 3769.08
11. Lottery Sports Gaming Proprietors
12. Ohio Rev. Code 2915.08
13. House Bill 29
14. Summary of Ohio Sports Gaming Law
15. Thorough Bred Daily News
16. Executive Order 2011-12K
17. Ohio Code 3772.02
18. Ohio Constitution Article XV
19. Ohio Lottery Commission
20. Ohio Code 3769.08
21. Ohio Code 3769.02

Start Gambling Online in Ohio

If you’re looking for Ohio online casinos and sportsbooks, your search should start with the #1 option, which is Bovada. Doubling as an elite casino and reputable sportsbook, Bovada offers endless sports wagers, hot drop jackpot slots, and competitive bonuses.

Bovada is the total package, but some gamblers may be looking for casinos that specifically stand out in one category. If so, they can lean on the fact that this guide revealed BetUS as the state’s best sportsbook, Drake Casino as the go-to option for casino table games, and DuckyLuck as the top casino for Ohioans, among others.

You can freely bet on sports online in Ohio, while land-based gambling includes horse racing tracks, the state lottery, bingo, and casinos. If you want to wager on anything else online, you’ll need to access a reputable offshore gambling site.

All roads ultimately lead back to Bovada, which is the best overall site to use in Ohio. You can head there now, or use this guide to pick a more isolated sportsbook or casino to fit your specific needs.

Kevin Roberts

Kevin Roberts, previously published under the pseudonym Noah Davis, is one of the more diverse writers at GamblingSites.com. Like many of his colleagues, he’s a huge fan of both football and basketball. But he also writes about box office records, TV show prop bets, DFS, and all kinds of other subjects.

When it comes to the NFL, Kevin’s favorite team is the Green Bay Packers. He enjoys cheering them on with his wife and daughter.

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