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Written by: Filip Gromovic Reviewed by: Nashon Khamala
If you are here because you are eager for the answer to the question, «Is online gambling legal in Ohio?» you are in the right place. While we hate to disappoint you with the answer that online entertainment is still illegal in Ohio, the future seems promising based on recent developments, plus there are alternatives you may want to explore while waiting for real money online casino establishments to become legal. Casino promotions updated: 05/13/2025
As of April 2025, wagering for real money virtually in OH is still not allowed. That means all forms of casino titles played over the internet where players bet with real cash are prohibited. This includes gambling on table games like blackjack, roulette and baccarat or slot games. For the foreseeable future, that is not likely to change because there is no legislation to regulate or license mobile gaming houses currently being debated upon in the legislative house.
However, the law doesn’t penalize wagering Vegas-style games on the Internet, as long as real money is not involved. Therefore, this has opened the door for social and sweepstakes sites to fill the void by offering Ohioans a chance to play tables and slots for free.
In December 2021, Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 29 into law, legalizing sports betting. Many see this as a sign that the legalization of online casinos may soon be considered for debate.
For now, the best way to gamble in the Buckeye State is through a sportsbook. Since it was legalized, sports betting in the state has continued to attract new bettors. They allow players to bet on live sports based on different parameters. In addition to that, social and sweepstakes websites are legal, too. Instead of real money, punters get to play their favorite types of titles using virtual coins, although there are packages that can still be purchased with real money. Basically, these are the legal Online gambling sites OH. It is hard to tell when virtual houses will come into the picture.
Real money offshore sites do exist, but wagering with them is at your risk because they are not regulated. These platforms are usually hosted and regulated in other countries but accept players from most regions of the world. While the majority of them are safe, things may become complicated if you run into trouble. The only accepted real-money gaming houses in OH remain the land-based houses, and there are four of them. All four are located in the biggest cities, including Toledo, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Columbus. This makes them easily accessible, unlike in other states, where you have racinos and tribal casinos.
The legal landscape for online betting in OH started to change in 2009 when the state voters, through the ballot, permitted a constitutional amendment to legalize wagering in land-based houses.
In 2010, the state legislature came up with a framework for this business. However, the first gambling house (Horseshoe Casino Cleveland, later renamed JACK Cleveland) was only approved in May 2012 by the Ohio Casino Control Commission. Three more joined the roster the following year.
In 2018, the state approved daily fantasy sports. It was another gateway for Ohioans to bet over the internet. Currently, there are 4 houses and 7 racinos in the state, and they have all added retail sportsbooks to their services.
Although online slots real money Ohio are still prohibited, there are several options for legal gambling in the state. With the exception of sports betting, where the participant must be 21 years of age, other legal forms of wagering in the state are open to punters who are at least 18 years of age. For residents of the Buckeye State, here are the officially approved wagering options available to you.
As its name suggests, social platforms are exclusively for fun. They are sometimes used for fundraising for charitable events, where people pay to play, and the proceeds go to the charity. Sweepstakes, on the other hand, use a two-coin system that allows users to play for fun as well as for the prospect of winning real cash.
Purchasing lottery tickets on the Internet is legal in OH, unlike in other states where you must get your ticket from a physical location, which is less convenient. In OH, you get access to exclusive promotions when you purchase your tickets virtually and will get notifications of winning numbers.
It is hard to talk about online gambling in Ohio without sports betting. Since its legalization in 2021, several virtual platforms have emerged, enticing punters with irresistible bonuses. As of April 2025, there are over 15 licensed sports betting sites in OH. This is the only approved wagering option where the player must be 21 years or older.
Ohioans can enjoy wagering on horse racing through the internet, which is more convenient compared to other states, where you must be in the location to wager pari mutuel style. The Ohio State Racing Commission is dedicated to the promotion and preservation of the sport. Players can be 18 years or older.
This is a virtual sport where players build teams using avatars of professional athletes and compete against each other to earn points. Winners start from a pre-determined pot funded by the entry fees paid by the players. A small portion of the fee will go to the provider as rake revenue.
Ohioans 18 years and above can register with social and sweepstakes websites. These remain the best places to legally enjoy all Vegas-style titles, including slot games and table games. A large number of unregulated sites accepting Ohioans are located offshore, meaning they are not regulated in the state. Therefore, you must exercise extreme caution when making your choice. With the large number of platforms out there, that can be an exhausting exercise for you. We have reviewed several platforms and here is a list of those that stood out for us based on different criteria.
From classic slots to Megaways and all other forms of slots you can think about, Hello Millions has them all. There are different levels of jackpots you can win here, from Grand to Major to Minor and Mini. The price of Grand runs into millions. Like every other social website, this site is free for all to register and start playing, and you may never need to purchase any package if you are a recreational player. The welcome bonus includes 150% coins, which is really generous. Hello Millions is the perfect entry for new punters to build a winning strategy.
One of the places where you can have a taste of online slots real money Ohio is in Tao Fortune. They have the classic 3×3 reels and the modified versions sprinkled with fishing titles to make the perfect cocktail of wagering activities. One thing to keep an eye on while on this website is the promotions and offers that could increase your bankroll. By signing up as a new player, you will get 1 million free coins deposited in your account. If you decide to purchase a package, you will pay only $19.99 instead of $40. Every day, you get to open magic boxes for a chance to win up to 550,000 free Tao coins.
With over 150 slot games, 7 different types of blackjack and several other table titles, including roulette, baccarat and live dealer games, Bovada is really the website to beat when it comes to real money iGames. Other popular categories you will find here include video poker, Plinko, bingo, craps and many other specialty titles. They also offer other types of wagering, including sports and horse racing. You can always switch from one form to another from the menu. Regardless of what your preference may be, you are almost guaranteed to find it here.
From the moment the homepage of the website loads up, the true intent of this website will be right in front of your face, which is to attract more players with the biggest bonuses. New players are entitled to a $10 free chip and a 250% match bonus. To get the bonus, you must use the code UNPACK. For your next five purchases, use the code GMU-MARCH to get a 150% bonus or up to $1,500. Several other offers are available on their promo page with varying rewards, some of which are too mouthwatering to miss.
A lot of people who visit real money online casinos are there with the hope of hitting the jackpot. One place you can hope to actualize that dream is at Slots LV. They have lots of jackpot titles with hourly and daily drops. What is even more interesting on this site is that the more titles you play, the more points you earn. Your points can be swapped for bonuses and lifetime benefits. There are hundreds of titles to choose from, meaning adventurous players will never get bored. New slots are added regularly to keep the roster fresh.
Getting started with online casino platforms in OH is easy to understand, even if you are a newbie. The first step is finding the right platform that has the types of titles you love to play. Some websites offer only slots and may not be a good choice if you prefer tables. Once you have found the right platform for you, follow the steps below to get started.
Ohio has a large number of available iGames that residents can play. However, the options available to you will vary depending on the site you visit. The most common options that are easy to come by include slots, blackjack, baccarat and video poker. Here is what you must know about the most popular titles.
They always dominate in number compared to other wagering titles in all the virtual gaming houses. Usually, you will find hundreds of them with different themes and playing mechanics, from classic 3×3 reels to progressive jackpots and fruit machines. They are the most popular options on social and sweepstakes sites.
This is one of the most popular table titles in gambling houses. The goal is to have the highest card value below 21. They come in different themes and forms, including the live version that involves real humans as dealers. When you find sites with table titles, blackjack will likely dominate the list.
This is another staple that is fun to play. Online casinos in Ohio will usually feature different versions of this title, including American roulette, French roulette and European roulette. The rules will differ slightly depending on the version, and you need to pay attention to them. Ultimately, the goal is to correctly guess where the ball will rest when the wheel stops spinning.
With a bit of skill and tactical bluffing, you will get to enjoy poker. Depending on the version you are playing, the goal is to have the best hand after five cards have been dealt. The player with the best hand takes the pot. Video poker is another popular option that brings the thrill of slots to the game.
There are four land-based gaming houses in OH and seven racinos. However, only the four land-based ones are allowed to host table titles. Therefore, it is not surprising that all attention has shifted there. The youngest of them all is Hard Rock, which opened in 2013. The other three opened a year prior.
| Name | No. of Slots | No. of Table Titles | Poker Room | Year Opened | Owner |
| Jack Cleveland Casino | 1,600 | 120 | Yes | 2012 | Jack Entertainment |
| Hollywood Casino Toledo | 2,000 | 60 | Yes | 2012 | Penn Entertainment |
| Hollywood Casino Columbus | 2,200 | 70 | Yes | 2012 | Penn Entertainment |
| Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati | 1,600 | 85 | Yes | 2013 | Seminole Tribe of Florida |
One cool feature that makes traditional gaming houses in OH unique is that they have all added retail sportsbooks to their services, giving gamblers additional ways to have fun. Besides the land-based betting locations, the state is home to seven racetracks. However, there are usually limits to the type of betting allowed on these sites.
Racinos usually showcase video lottery terminals (VLTs) instead of traditional slot machines. Consequently, they report the revenue obtained from these titles to the Ohio Lottery and, thus, are not overseen by the Ohio Casino Control Commission.
While online casinos in Ohio are still prohibited, section 2915.01 of the Ohio Revised Code permits sweepstakes, and it is defined as «any game, contest or promotion where no payment or consideration is required for a person to participate or become eligible to receive a prize, with the outcome determined by chance».
The law also allows players of sweepstakes to redeem premium coins for gift cards or cash prizes. However, the premium virtual currency can only be given for free and not purchased. Also, these coins cannot be used in iGames where the outcome is determined by chance, like slots and tables.
There is no time frame on when OH’s law on mobile gaming houses will change. But there are developments in the state that suggest legislators are definitely considering the idea. For example, state legislators recently received a study from experts in the industry, Vixio and Light & Wonder. The report estimated that internet gambling under 20% tax could bring in $255 million in annual revenue to the state.
Aside from the revenue potential, the success of sports betting, which was launched in 2023, could drive the conversation in that direction in the coming years. For now, social and sweepstakes remain the legal way to play on the Internet.
Choosing legal betting options in OH over offshore sites is really a no-brainer. With approved options, you are certain that the platform is regulated and must adhere to strict consumer protection laws outlined by the government of the state. In other words, you are guaranteed that you will be getting the promised value.
For example, if a software developer claims their slot is medium volatility, regulatory bodies will test the title to make sure that it is exactly what it claims. However, if it is unregulated, there is no way to say with certainty that the title is what it claims.
The only reason why gamblers will go for offshore sites is because their favorite type of iGames may not be among the approved options. Therefore, they turn to offshore platforms to satiate their craving for a particular type of experience. However, betting on offshore sites strips you of the benefits that come with sticking with legal options.
Firstly, if you ever run into trouble, as sometimes is the case, you cannot complain to the authorities. Also, there is no way of telling if the titles hosted by the site are fair or that your payout will come when due after you submit your withdrawal request.
If you must give offshore platforms a shot, there is a lot of work you must do to limit your risks. The first is to ensure that you properly vet the platform to ensure they are licensed and regulated in their home countries.
Secondly, read independent reviews of people who have previously used the platform to learn about their experiences. Try contacting customer support and see how long it takes before you get a response. The answer to these details should tell you whether it is OK to register or to back down.
Gambling is fun, but in the midst of the thrill, it is easy to lose control, and this can happen to both new and long-time punters. While some end up suffering serious financial losses from their activities, others find it hard to associate with friends and family members. There are several measures you can take to ensure this doesn’t become your reality.
Firstly, ensure you only gamble with your disposable income or the money left from your income after you have budgeted for all the monthly necessities. If you are betting with a site that has a tool to limit your deposits, make good use of it.
Secondly, consider setting a limit to the number of hours you can play per day. A good alarm clock should jolt you back to reality if you ever get lost in the virtual world of gaming houses.
If you are already stuck in the loop, know that you are not alone. The Ohio Casino Commission ensures the safety of players at regulated betting houses. You can also reach out to the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio, which provides treatment services to those who have lost control. Other networks that offer similar services include Gamblers Anonymous, Gam-Anon and GamTalk.
The future looks promising for online gambling in Ohio. Since the legalization of daily fantasy sports in 2018, OH legislators have continuously shown a willingness to expand the betting options available in the state. This was followed years later with the approval of sports betting in 2023. Although there may not be a bill currently in the house to make internet wagering houses official, the trend suggests that lawmakers will likely be thinking in that direction. It may still take a few years for that to become a reality.
Once the legislation is passed, we anticipate that the land-based establishments in the state will lead by creating mobile versions of their platforms that will make their services available to residents all over the state. Nevertheless, they will likely face stiff competition from offshore websites, some of which are already attracting Ohioans using hard-to-resist offers.
For the foreseeable future, residents of the Buckeye State will continue to patronize offshore websites using their phones and computers, pending when the state legislature on online gaming houses changes. Both social and sweepstakes sites will continue to increase in OH, offering all sorts of wagering sports. Whatever you do, never forget to scrutinize every website for security and credibility before hopping on.
Filip Gromovic is a senior slots reviewer here at FreeSlots99 with over five years of experience evaluating the latest drops in the world of iGaming.
Being a slot fan himself, Filip approaches slot ratings just the way we like it – professionally, but also from a player’s standpoint.
That enables him to give his unbiased take on the slot’s features, gameplay and design, while only recommending top-tier releases to our readers.
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Having served FreeSlots99 for more than 5 years as a senior content editor and reviewer, Nashon Khamala has extensive knowledge in game slots and iGaming.
His membership in the Editorial Freelancers Association helps him deliver content that reaches both editorial excellence standards and an engaging information level.
By using his expertise in slots games combined with player-focused analysis, Nashon delivers a professional evaluation of slot features and player experiences in his reviews.
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