This state is well known for the buckeye tree and the great Ohio River. The nut that falls from the tree looks like a deer’s eye, hence the name. It’s one of the largest gambling areas with numerous land-based establishments within the borders.
Our Online Casino Ohio Reviews
You’re likely to find few Ohio online casinos since online gambling in Ohio isn’t strictly illegal, but it’s not technically forbidden. The grey area lies in whether citizens are allowed to play at online USA casinos based outside the state. However, we don’t recommend playing at these sites and instead following the Ohio gambling laws. Ohio is also famous for being one of the states with many US presidents originating from the area.
It’s often referred to as the “Mother of presidents.” Seven national leaders have come from here, and we’re sure that many more are still to come. In the past, the county was a bit conservative and, for many years, did not allow gambling at all. Then in 2009, it decided to license four land-based casinos. It later expanded this by adding video lottery terminals (or VLTs) into the seven racetracks in 2012. These work in a similar way to slot machines, but it’s considered more of a lottery wagering system than strict gambling.
Best Ohio Online Casinos
CasinoTop10’s Best Ohio Online Casinos will need to:
- Offer real-money slots, poker, and table games;
- Provide bettors with a mobile option for easy access to the online casino anytime, from anywhere;
- Be legally licensed and regulated by the state’s law.
The Legality Of Land-Based Casinos & Online Casinos In Ohio
When the state decided to legalize land-based casinos in 2009, it opened the first ones in the four major cities. An establishment opened in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Toledo. Within five years, Ohio managed to bring to its citizens 18,000 slot machines and video gaming options. Added to that were table games, poker, and horse racing. At this time there are 15 land-based casinos and seven racetracks for horse and greyhound racing. Even though there aren’t any firm regulations allowing for online gambling, the state doesn’t seem to take a strict stance preventing people from playing on the net. Although you won’t find any Ohio online casinos, it seems that playing isn’t explicitly outlawed. Despite this, we don’t recommend playing at these sites. Players can wager on the greyhound and horse races using website providers that have been licensed by the state. Betting at the track bookies is also allowed. Daily Fantasy Sports betting is also permitted using website providers that only offer this activity. Besides the options mentioned above, the only other legal online gambling available is social casino games at sweepstakes social casinos.
Land-Based Gambling In Ohio Today
Below we have listed the top 5 most popular Ohio casinos. The legal gambling age in Ohio is 18 or 21 depending on the type of gambling.
| Casino | Location | Unique Features | Casino Games |
| Hollywood Casino Columbus | Columbus | Slots and video poker, table games, poker room | 2,250 slots, over 60 table games, 34 live poker tables |
| Jack Cincinnati Casino | Cincinnati | Poker rooms, slots, blackjack, VIP lounge | 2000 slot machines, 85 table games, 31-table World Series of Poker® room |
| Jack Cleveland Casino | Cleveland | Slots, poker, synergy table games | 1,300 slots, 90 video poker machines, 100 table games |
| Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park | Northfield | Slot machines, concert venue, harness track | 2,200 Slots, 240 VLT games, and over 222 harness races per year |
| Hollywood Casino Toledo | Toledo | Slots, live poker, table games, video poker | 2000 slot machines, 60 table games, 20 live poker rooms |
Online Gambling Laws In Ohio
There aren’t any laws that prohibit online gambling. On the other hand, there isn’t any legislation drafted that allows the activity to occur either. As it stands, there are no officially regulated online gaming options for citizens. The state is looking into legalizing online gambling to maximize tax revenue. It’s studying a commissioned research paper from the Spectrum Gaming Group, so it looks like there might be a chance that the bill might happen. Legislators can look at the success of the neighboring state, Pennsylvania’s casinos, to further promote the agenda. There are numerous free-play or social casinos in Ohio for those who aren’t too set to play for real money. It’s an alternative to going to a physical establishment, but you won’t be winning any cash on these sites. Social casinos offer games such as online slots, baccarat, poker, blackjack, and online roulette. You can play and enjoy them for the sheer thrill and bragging rights. If you enjoy playing the lottery, you know that currently, you can only purchase the tickets at kiosks. However, the state is looking to move this system for internet purchasing in the future.
What should I know about Online Casinos in Ohio?
- There aren’t any officially-regulated Ohio online casinos;
- Social casinos offer gambling activities but as free-play with no money exchange;
- Daily Fantasy Sports, online horse, and greyhound racing betting is legal;
- The state is looking into legalizing online gambling to maximize its tax revenue;
- No legislation clearly states if playing online casino games is legal or not however, we advise you to steer clear of these casino sites.
Gambling Laws Governing Offshore Casinos & What It Means For Ohio Players
Ohio state law doesn’t have any legislation that allows for the regulation of online casinos. Any gambling website is unregulated and poses a risk to the players using it. The only legal form of casino gaming is at land-based casinos. Just because the internet allows Ohio residents to connect with operators in offshore jurisdictions, it doesn’t mean they’re legally allowed to play. Many providers that don’t fall into the US legal system’s scope are regulated by offshore regulators that are often not reputable. Furthermore, since there aren’t any legal online casinos, any platform you use puts your information and money at risk. You risk losing your cash, and you could also open yourself up to identity theft. If anything should go wrong, you won’t be entitled to any legal recourse or be allowed to consumer protection from the state law. You are safer using online social gaming activities or going to one of the licensed land casinos.
Online Casino Games For Ohio
Strictly speaking, you can’t play any online games in Ohio for real money. However, there are a few options that circumvent the regulations. Daily Fantasy Sports are not considered as sports betting or gambling. Even though regular sports betting isn’t allowed in Ohio, you can play DFS online. The Casino Control Commission regulates the Daily Fantasy operators and is legal in the state since 2017. Other than that, the only other online games allowed are social casino games. For the games to fall under this category, players must play for free. There should be no exchange of money between the gamer and the operator. There are a few exclusive games that players can wager on via online platforms. These include Wheel of Fortune and Bejeweled, and you can play for real cash prizes and jackpots. The only reason these are permitted is that they’re regarded as games of skill rather than chance. The state also has several greyhound and horse racing tracks. Betting on these is allowed at a few legal online providers. The Ohio Racing Commission regulates the operators, who need to hold a license to accept Ohio residents.
Payment Options At Ohio Online Casinos
Since online gambling in Ohio isn’t permitted, there aren’t any payment options on offer. For those bettors taking advantage of DFS, some options include debit or credit cards, Paypal casinos, or bank transfers. However, it’s best to check with the website in question about what methods it allows. If you’re outside the state and want to play, the options will most likely be more varied depending on the site you use. It’s best to check out the terms and conditions of the online provider to determine which ones are accepted.
Ohio Online Casinos FAQs
Is online gambling legal in Ohio?
No, online gambling is not legislated as legal. The only play-for-money betting allowed is for Daily Fantasy Sports or horse and greyhound racing. If you want to take advantage of online games such as poker or blackjack for real money, you will need to cross the state line to a county that allows online gaming.
Can I play at an online casino in Ohio via mobile or tablet?
Since there aren’t any Ohio online casinos, you can’t play at mobile casinos. If you cross over to Pennsylvania, you can signup with online gaming providers there. Most offer a dedicated app or optimized websites so that you could play on your phone or tablet.
What casino games can I play at Ohio online casinos?
You’re only permitted to legally play social or free-play games at online casinos in Ohio. Playing for real money online is not legal. The games allowed for free play include poker, baccarat, blackjack, roulette, and slots. If you’re a sports fan, you can place wagers on greyhound or horse racing at a few online operators legally trading.
Is it possible to play online casino games with dollars?
Since it’s not legal to play at online casinos in Ohio, it’s not recommended that you play in any currency. If you’re traveling through an area that allows online gambling, it’s best to check which currency is accepted, but most gaming websites accept dollars.
Are the Ohio online casinos on this site regulated?
There are no officially regulated online casinos in Ohio. The sites listed on this page are land-based and are regulated by the Casino Control Commission.
Am I eligible to receive an online casino bonus at an Ohio Casino?
You’re not eligible to receive a bonus at Ohio online casinos since they aren’t legal. Online operators in other states where online gambling is permitted often have welcome bonuses and promotions. You can try one of those when you’re not within Ohio’s borders. Then it’s best to check upfront to find out if you’re able to use the bonuses on offer.
How do I start playing for real money at an Ohio online casino?
Online gambling in Ohio for real money isn’t permitted. Social games or free-play games are the only internet games allowed, and these don’t have any money exchanges. Other cash betting options include DFS or greyhound and horse racing.
Which online casino payment options are popular in Ohio?
For bettors that enjoy DFS, the payment options differ between providers, but the most common are credit or debit cards, bank transfers, or Paypal. Online casinos aren’t legal in Ohio, so there aren’t any payment options you could use to play on one.
Do I need to pay taxes on my gambling winnings in Ohio?
Yes, all gambling winnings are fully taxable by the State of Ohio, the IRS, and the four cities across the state. Winnings are taxed under the bracket of “ordinary income.” The rate is the same as other income taxed to the person by the respective agency.
Play At A Real Money Ohio Casino & Walk Away With A Large Sum!
Ohio is not a very strict state when it comes to gambling. It has several land-based casinos and seven race tracks that offer horse and greyhound races. Ohio online casinos aren’t strictly legal, and the only way players can enjoy some web-based casino fun is in free play or social mode.
