Online Gambling Ohio: an Expert Guide
Ohio’s online gamblers can play games on the Internet without fear of fines or prosecution. While Ohio hasn’t regulated online casinos, sportsbooks, and poker sites yet, the state’s law enforcement officials do not punish individuals who play for real money online. OH residents therefore can join an offshore online gambling site with no repercussions. You won’t have consumer protections, so you should read honest online casino reviews before joining a site.
In this guide to online gambling in Ohio, we give a full rundown of current gaming laws. We discuss Ohio’s current gambling laws, as well as new forms of gambling might be passed in the near future. We provide a timeline of OH gaming laws, an FAQ section for common questions bettors have, and links to reviews and recommendations involving online casinos.
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Ohio Online Gambling Laws
The state of Ohio regulated gambling for brick-and-mortar casinos and racetracks, but no existing laws for online gambling. Ohio lawmakers legalized land-based gambling piecemail, so the gambling age can be a little confusing too. Online gambling in Ohio remains a possibility, though no bills exist at present for online poker. Ohio remains a GOP-leaning state, but the Buckeye State remains enough of a swing state that politicians on both sides of the aisles try to find middle of the road solutions to gambling regulation. For instance, in late 2018 Gov. Mike DeWine said legal sports betting in Ohio is only a matter of time.
Ohio residents should not fear prosecution when they join offshore internet casinos, bookmaker sites, and card rooms. They won’t have consumer protections or responsible gaming tools a regulated gaming niche would. It’s important to find legit online casinos, sportsbooks, and poker sites in 2019, so read our reviews and recommendations to find the safest online betting sites. While the Ohio Lottery Commission or Casino Control Commission do not license and regulate these online casinos, the sites we review receive licenses from international regulatory agencies.
Online Casinos Ohio
With all the gambling sites out there, it can be hard to choose a legal, safe, licensed site. We cannot stress enough that our sites are all three things and more. Our preferred internet gambling sites are legal to Ohio residents because they are not operated illegally in the United States or any other country. These sites are licensed, regulated, and legal in other countries such as Canada and Panama and it is legal for Ohio residents and all U.S. gamblers to join and play.
Ohio residents thinking of gambling online should read through our Ohio gambling law summary before they play casinos games online. The best unregulated gambling websites accept Ohio residents, much as they would in California or New York. Land based casinos and poker rooms in Ohio have much different laws, because they set their own age requirement for their gambling establishment. Per the establishment, you must be anywhere between the ages of 18 and 21 to play at land based casinos and poker rooms in Ohio.
Sports Betting in Ohio
After former Ohio Attorney General Mike Dewine won the governor’s race in 2018, he stated that “sports betting is coming”. State Sen. John Eklund, chiarman of the Judiciary Committee, introduced a sports betting bill to the Ohio Senate. At present, Ohio lawmakers and Gov. Dewine disagree on regulated sports betting’s details, though both seek to legalize sports betting in land-based casinos and racinos. Eklund’s bill would set a 6.25% tax rate, $100k licensing fees, and no integrity fee for sports leagues.
Licensees could partner with online sportsbook operators for internet wagering, while remote sign-ups would be allowed. Online sports betting could take place inside Ohio’s borders.
At present, Ohio residents that enjoy betting on their favorite sports teams can sign up at offshore online sportsbooks, which offer mobile betting and live in-play betting for sports betting on the go. Download the app for mobile betting for your Android phone or tablet, iPhone, or iPad and bet anywhere, anytime. Sports bettors can bet on games while they are in progress with live betting. Our recommended online sportsbooks offer an array of sports to bet on, including top American sports and a full list of international sports and prop bets.
Online Poker Ohio
In our reviewed online poker rooms, you’ll find there are different levels of playing options: both for beginners and advanced poker players. Our online poker rooms provide Ohio residents with daily and weekly tournaments, bonuses, and promotions. You can play Texas hold ’em, Omaha, H.O.R.S.E., and five or seven card stud. Read our poker reviews, choose a card site, and begin playing right away for hours of poker entertainment. Read our poker strategy section to gain the outcomes you want more often.
Online Bingo in Ohio
Include bingo among your preferred online gaming habits. Read our reviews of online bingo hall, which offers players 75-ball American Bingo and a variety of international bingo games. The list includes 90-ball European Bingo, 30-ball bingo, and 80-ball (keno) cards.
Timeline of Ohio Online Gambling Laws
April 12, 2019 | Dave Greenspan Sponsors House Bill 194
Rep. Dave Greenspan (R-Westlake) and Rep. Brigid Kelly (D-Cincinnati) are the co-sponsors of House Bill 194, which would legalize sports betting in Ohio casinos and race tracks. HB 194 would tax sports betting revenues at 10%, while giving regulatory oversight to the Ohio Lottery Commission. All gaming venues in the Buckeye state would have sportsbooks, while online and mobile sports betting would become much more likely.
March 3, 2019 | Senate Bill 111 Introduced to OH Legislature
State Sen. John Eklund and Sen. Sean O’Brien introduced Senate Bill 111, which would regulate sports betting in Ohio. The bill would give oversight to the Ohio Casino Control Commission.
May 30, 2019 | Mike DeWine Supports Sports Betting
Gov. Mike DeWine said he expected Ohio to legalize and regulate sports betting “within the life of this budget”. DeWine suggested he would be willing to sign into law a sportsbook bill.
October 30, 2019 | Ohio Senate and House Split on Competing Bills
As of October 30, 2019, Ohio media groups reported that the Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate are split on which agency would regulate sports betting: The Lottery Commission or Casino Control Commission. If ever a resolution is found, Gov. Mike DeWine appears ready to sign a sportsbook bill into law.
Latest News
In April 2019, Dave Greenspan and Brigid Kelly sponsored HB 194 in the Ohio House. This bill gives regulatory oversigh to the Ohio Lottery Commission and sets the tax rate at 10%. A month later, John Eklund and Sean O’Brien introduced Senate Bill 111, which would set a lower tax rate and give oversight to the Casino Control Commission.
In June 2019, lawmakers held hearings on the sports betting bill. Opponents gave impassioned testimony on the spread of gambling, but most observers believe a bookmaker bill is close to being passed. Meanwhile, Gov. Mike DeWine has said several times that regulated sports betting in inevitable in Ohio. As of late October 2019, the deadlock continues.
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Ohio Gambling Laws
Ohio House Bill 194
Ohio Senate Bill 111
Two Competing Sports Betting Bills