Is Online Gambling Legal in Ohio? Where Can I Bet?

Online gambling in Ohio is a hotly debated topic. Online gambling is neither explicitly legal nor illegal in the state’s laws. It has left many Ohioans wondering whether or not it is legal to gamble online (we will answer this and other questions below).

In the meantime, several regulated and trusted offshore online casinos and sportsbooks accept Ohioans. This article explores Ohio’s gambling history, online gambling status, and potential future changes.

Gambling In Ohio: A Short History 

Gambling has been a part of Ohio’s history for centuries. The earliest forms of gambling in the state were likely informal games of chance, such as card games and dice games. These games were often played in private homes or at taverns.

In 1933, Ohio legalized pari-mutuel betting on horse races. It was the first major form of legal gambling in the state. Pari-mutuel betting pools all bets on a particular outcome and pays winners based on their odds.

Ohio Lottery was established in 1974 after Ohio voters approved a constitutional amendment. The lottery was initially limited to scratch-off tickets. Still, it has since expanded to include a variety of games, such as Powerball and Mega Millions. A year later, in 1975, Ohio legalized Bingo for charitable purposes. 

Ohio voters said yes to a constitutional amendment allowing four casinos to be established in the state in 2009. Casinos opened in 2012 and were expected to make $600 million in revenue. Fees collected would be given to schools and local governments in the state.

In 2022, Ohio voters approved a constitutional amendment that legalized sports betting. Sports betting became officially legal in Ohio on January 1, 2023.

The history of gambling in Ohio is a long and evolving one. The state has legalized a variety of forms of gambling over the years, and the gambling landscape in Ohio will likely continue to change in the years to come. Below is a timeline of major events in Ohio’s gambling history.

• 1933: Pari-mutuel betting on horse races was legalized.
• 1974: Ohio Lottery was created.
• 1975: Bingo was legalized for charitable purposes.
• 2009: Constitutional amendment allows four casinos to be established in the state.
• 2012: Casinos were opened in Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland, and Toledo.
• 2017: Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) contests gambling was legalized.
• 2022: Constitutional amendment legalized sports betting.
• 2023: Sports betting became legal in Ohio.

Is Online Gambling Legal In Ohio? 

No. There is no legal online gambling website operating in the Buckeye state as it is considered illegal by lawmakers. Still, you can legally wager on DFS and sport. Besides that, social and sweepstakes casinos like Chumba and LuckyLand Slots are legally operating and are open to Ohioans. Although you cannot play for real money on such platforms, you can redeem sweeps coins for real prizes and cash. 

What Legal Gambling Options Are Available To Ohioans?

So, Ohio’s online gambling scene has a few restrictions, but don’t worry; there are still many ways to hit the jackpot. Check out this rundown of Ohio’s most popular forms of legit gambling. 

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1. Sports Betting

In Jan 2023, Ohio finally got the green light for online sports betting. And more than 12 apps and retail spots already exist where you can place your bets. Plus, with all legislation debates going on, there will be even more options soon. There are also 1,000 betting kiosks in bars, restaurants, bowling alleys, and liquor stores.

2. DFS (Daily Fantasy Sports)

Ohio made daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests legal in 2017 through new legislation. Among Ohio’s prominent DFS gambling sites are DraftKings Ohio, FanDuel, and Fantasy Draft, along with other notable brands. PrizePicks Ohio is also a popular site for sports enthusiasts seeking to win big by making accurate picks in daily, season-long, or in-game contests. These fantasy drafts encompass a wide range of major leagues, and niche markets such as NASCAR and Call of Duty. Overall, Ohio’s legalization of DFS gambling has opened up new avenues for sports fans to engage in this form of entertainment.

3. Horse Racing

Pari-mutuel betting on horse racing competitions has been legal since 1933 in Ohio State. There are seven places where fans can watch live and simulcast races for off-track betting (OTB). Recent legislation has introduced online gambling alternatives for horse racing. Betonline and BetMGM are leading Ohio-based online gambling platforms for horse race wagers, covering over 200 tracks worldwide.

4. Casinos

Ohio has four casinos in Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Toledo, offering slots, table games, and poker. Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) at racetracks are known as Racinos and allow people to play keno and slots. The only legal places for casino gambling in Ohio are sweepstakes casinos. These casinos use virtual coins known as sweeps coins for games, allowing players to redeem them for cash prizes.

5. Bingo

Traditional, instant, and electronic bingo games are available for Ohionas and visitors. Traditional games use paper cards and ink markers. Instant bingo cards have tabs that show numbers, letters, objects, or patterns. E-bingo is similar to slot machines; players touch the screen to mark numbers.

6. Ohio Lottery

Ohio Lottery has scratchers, local and multi-state draws, and instant-win games. The Ohio Lottery App offers online gambling for select jackpots, keno draws, instant-win games, and EZPLAY games. Players can buy standard lottery tickets or scan an ePlaySlip from over 9,800 retail locations.

Where To Gamble Online In Ohio: Top 6 Real Money Online Casinos In Ohio 

Having plenty of physical locations to gamble in Ohio, nothing can compete with the ease and thrill of online gambling. There is no state-authorized online casino operating in Buckeye State. But several legit and trusted platforms accept Ohioan players. But how do we pick the best ones? We handpicked the best online casinos according to the following criteria: 

• Licensure and trustworthiness
• Website Traffic
• Brand reputation
• Game selection and variety
• Safety and security of payment methods
• Banking method variety and availability 
• Customer support
• Software quality 
• Mobile gaming 

Wrap Up

Ohio legalized online sports betting in 2021, joining the rapidly growing online gambling industry. There is a push to legalize other forms of online gambling in the state. Although physical gambling options are plenty, legalizing online gambling can dramatically improve the state’s economy. Still, there are some concerns about the potential negative impacts of online gambling, including the risk of addiction, the possibility of underage gambling, and the potential for money laundering. However, by legalizing and regulating online gambling and taking a responsible approach, the state can ensure that online gambling is a safe and enjoyable activity for all adults.

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