Online Gambling Ohio - The Latest Updates on Gambling in Ohio

Is Online Gambling Legal in Ohio?

At the moment, there are some online gambling options available in Ohio. Horse racing and parimutuel betting have been legal in the state since 2000 after the Interstate Horse Racing Act of 1978 was amended to include wagers placed via electronic media. Daily fantasy sports betting is also legal in Ohio as of 2018. In addition to these options, sweepstakes and social gambling are allowed.

Sports betting has been legalized in the state as of 2021 when the House of Representatives passed House Bill 29. Apps have been available in the state since January 1, 2023. Online casinos in Ohio and poker are not currently available in in the state. State regulators are picking up the pace on expanding options for online gaming.

How Old to Gamble in Ohio?

Ohio residents and visitors must be at least 21 years old to gamble on casino games, sports, and racinos. Pari-mutuel wagering at state horse tracks and lottery games are available for those 18 or older. Charitable gambling in Ohio (e.g., bingo) is open to anyone over the age of 16.

What Legal Gambling Options in Ohio Are Available Now?

Even with a few limitations for Ohio online gambling, there are still plenty of ways for locals to get lucky. Here is a breakdown of the most common types of legal gambling in Ohio.

• Sports Betting January 2023 was the official kick-off for online sports betting in Ohio. There are over a dozen apps and retail facilities already up and running, with more stepping up to the plate soon. Betting kiosks are another way to get some skin in the game. Nearly 1,000 licenses have been approved to place kiosks in restaurants, bars, bowling alleys, and liquor stores.
• Daily Fantasy Sports Ohio legalized gambling on daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests in 2017. DraftKings Ohio, FanDuel, and Fantasy Draft are just a few big brands on the roster of DFS gambling sites in Ohio. Another popular site is PrizePicks Ohio. Sports fans can score some cash for playing the right picks in daily, season-long, or in-game contests. Fantasy drafts generally cover all of the major leagues and some niche markets like NASCAR and Call of Duty.
• Casinos Ohio has four commercial casinos located in Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Toledo. Each location offers a variety of slots, table games, and poker games. Residents can also play keno and slots on video lottery terminals (VLTs) at state racetracks (referred to as racinos). Casino gambling in Ohio is restricted to sweepstakes casinos, such as BetRivers Casino4Fun, that use virtual coins for casino games and cash prizes.
• Horse Racing Pari-mutuel wagering on horse races has been legal since 1933. There are seven venues with live races and simulcast races for off-track betting (OTB). Recent legislation added online gambling options for horse betting. BetMGM, TVG, and TwinSpires are among the top Ohio online gambling sites for horse race wagers. Players can access more than 200 tracks around the world.
• Ohio Lottery Popular Ohio lottery games include scratchers, local and multi-state draws, and instant-win games. Online gambling options are available on the Ohio Lottery App for select jackpots, keno draws, instant-win games, and EZPLAY games. Players can scan an ePlaySlip or purchase standard lottery tickets from more than 9,800 retail locations.
• Bingo Residents have the option to play traditional, instant, or electronic bingo games. Traditional games use paper cards and ink daubers. Instant bingo cards have pull tabs that reveal a set of numbers, letters, objects, or patterns. Electronic bingo is similar to modern slot machines, where players tap the screen to highlight numbers.
• Charitable Gaming Charitable gaming has been legal in Ohio since 1976. These often include activities such as bingo or a different casino game.

Are There Any Ohio Gambling Promotions?

Ohio gambling promotions will vary for each operator. Non-winning lottery tickets can usually be entered into a second-chance draw for another shot at getting some extra pocket money. Other popular gambling promotions include welcome bonuses, bonus bets, wager insurance, profit boosts, and reload bonuses.

What Ohio Gambling Apps Are Available?

There are multiple Ohio gambling apps available for action on sports, horse races, and lottery games. Caesars is a heavy-hitter in sports and horse betting on top of running an unrivaled rewards program. Every wager earns credits that can be redeemed for bonus bets or benefits at Caesars Resorts.

FanDuel offers the same online gambling options in addition to daily fantasy sports contests for NFL, NBA, MLB, and other popular leagues. Locals who prefer to pick numbers for a big payday can download the Ohio Lottery App to play select games like Pick 3, Keno, and Mega Millions.

Online Gambling Ohio Tips

Here are a few suggestions for safe online gambling in Ohio.

Only Use a Trusted Gambling Site

Only wager with online gambling operators that are licensed and regulated in Ohio. This information should be readily available on the main website or mobile app. Licensed operators will also be listed on the website of their respective regulatory body (e.g., Ohio Casino Control Commission). 

Only Gamble With What You Can Afford to Lose

Victory laps are harder to run with pockets full of debt. Set a budget for online gambling before putting money on the line. Responsible gambling controls can help players who need an assist. Players can use these controls to limit deposits, wagers, and time spent online gambling.

Review the Ohio Gambling Promos

Always read the terms and conditions for online gambling promos. Playthrough requirements should be reasonable should be fair and within a reasonable range of the bonus value. For example, winning $500 on a $1,000 bet credit that has a 15x rollover would cost $15,000 to cash out (hint: that's not a great return). 

Keep Gambling in Ohio Fun

Sometimes a winning rush can turn into chasing losses. When wagering starts to add stress, it might be time to step away. Ohio online gaming sites are required to provide self-exclusion options and resources for additional support services.

Why Gamble Online in Ohio?

Online gambling comes with plenty of perks. These are just a few reasons why gambling online in Ohio is so popular.

They Are Legal Ohio Gambling Sites

Legal Ohio gambling sites like the ones on this page open the gates for wagering from anywhere with a Wi-Fi connection. This flexibility cuts down on travel time and lineups without sacrificing licensing regulations that keep players safe.

Excellent Security Practices

Online gambling operators in Ohio have to use certain security protocols to get a license. Regulations generally outline standards for protecting user data and bank transactions with encryption technology, multi-factor authentication, and secure payment processors.

Huge Range of Markets to Gamble on

Players can swap between slots, races, sports, and scratchers in a few clicks instead of traveling to one or multiple locations to place bets. Most online gambling operators also cover more game variations, markets, and international events than retail facilities.

Bigger Gambling Promotions

Online gambling promotions tend to have bigger bonuses compared to retail options. Gambling sites also run multiple promos at the same time to attract new bettors and reward loyal players. Some operators even use custom promos for local events like playoff tournaments.

Available Payment Methods to Gamble With

Banking options vary for each operator but typically fall into a few categories. Here are the most common payment methods for online gambling in Ohio.

• ✅ Debit Cards
• ✅ Credit Cards
• ✅ Bank Transfers
• ✅ E-Wallets
• ✅ Pre-Paid Cards

Legal Ohio Gambling Sites vs. Offshore Gambling

Ohio residents can visit offshore sites, but they are not licensed or regulated like legal Ohio online gambling operators. This means offshore sites aren't required to follow federal or state laws for fair gambling practices and payments.

Offshore Gambling Risks:

• ❌ No payout requirements
• ❌ Unlicensed gambling software
• ❌ Predatory bonus policies
• ❌ High withdrawal fees
• ❌ Unsafe payment processing

How We Rate the Online Gambling Sites in Ohio

These are the highlights of metrics we use to rate Ohio online gambling sites.

They Must Be Legal in Ohio

Online gaming operators must be legal in Ohio to make our list. Valid licensing sets the standard for proper security protocols, payment processing, and identity verification to prevent unauthorized access.

We Deposit Funds and Withdraw Winnings

Moving money around should be quick and easy. We test online gambling deposits, withdrawals, and processing speeds to make sure adding and retrieving funds happens in a reasonable time frame.

We Actually Use the Site Ourselves

Ohio gambling sites don't make the cut unless we use (and like) them. Every site has some shortcomings, but we only recommend brands that check the most important boxes for functionality, variety, and value.

We Contact the Customer Support

Nothing kills an online gambling experience like poor support. We contact customer service to assess response times and quality for email, phone, and chat support.

Online gambling shouldn't be filled with surprises unless it's an unexpected windfall. That's why we test everything so you know what to expect from Ohio online gambling sites before wagering any of your hard-earned money.

Responsible Gambling in Ohio

Gambling is a fun activity that many people enjoy. Gambling problems can develop, however, and it is important to consider the potentially negative and harmful effects of gambling when done in an irresponsible manner. Problem gambling not only harms the individual experiencing it but others around them as well.

Luckily, there are many resources available to help those that struggle with gambling issues. Many state agencies in Ohio provide support to those that need it. The Problem Gambling Network of Ohio is a nonprofit organization that seeks to provide educational and referral services related to gambling addiction.

The Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline is another great resource for those in need of support when it comes to gambling. This service provides counselors to refer treatment solutions. This program is fully funded and free for Ohio residents. Ohio for Responsible Gambling is another program that coordinates between the Ohio Casino Control Commission, the Ohio Lottery, the Ohio State Racing Commission and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services to connect individuals with counselors and medical professionals.

Aside from state agencies, online casinos often offer resources and tools to maintain healthy gambling habits and provide assistance when it is needed. These include various safeguards to help users keep track of their gambling habits. Users often have the option to set a deposit limit for the amount that can be added to the account or a time limit for the duration a user can spend gambling on the site. Online sites often also provide links to support services for users if they believe they need more help. If you think you have a gambling problem, it is important to seek out assistance.

Ohio Gambling Legislation

Ohio has been growing its gambling portfolio for decades. There hasn't been much movement since the early 2000s until new legislation opened doors for online gambling. Below is a general timeline of how Ohio gambling laws have progressed over the years.

• 📆 2021: House and Senate Committees pass an Ohio gambling bill for online horse betting and sports gambling sites.
• 📆 2017: Lawmakers appoint Ohio Casino Control Commission members to oversee and regulate daily fantasy sports gambling in Ohio.
• 📆 2009: Legislators pass new Ohio gambling laws for casinos, racinos, and public poker games.
• 📆 1973: Voters approve lottery games and establish the Ohio Lottery Commission.
• 📆 1933: Ohio legislature votes in favor of pari-mutuel wagering and creates the Ohio Racing Commission to regulate gambling at state horse race tracks.

Author

Candice Reeves

Sports Betting Expert

Candice Reeves is an expert reviewer for BetOhio.com. Candice built a writing career in wealth management, cryptocurrency, and software applications. Her work is routinely featured in leading finance and technology publications, including WealthRocket.com, CryptoVantage.com, and StackCompare.com.