Online Casinos for players from Ohio in 2025

Introduction

Although the gambling market of the United States is often mentioned as a whole, regulated forms of gambling vary from one state to another, ranging from extremely strict to extremely liberal.

In Ohio, legal forms include charitable gaming such as instant bingo, bingo, raffles, and games of chance. Aside from the listed options, players from this state can also place bets on horse races, the state lottery, video lottery terminals (VLTs) at race tracks, keno, casinos, and skill-based amusement machines, as well as on a solid selection of sports events.

Online sports betting went live in the state in January 2023, introducing local players to a wide spectrum of renowned sports betting providers. Although certain restrictions exist, there are still more than enough options to bet on.

Is It Legal to Gamble Online in Ohio?

Although online gambling is not yet legal in the state, the situation is most likely to change. In September 2024, Senate Bill 312 was forwarded to the Ohio Statehouse, proposing the legalization of internet casino gaming at a suggested tax rate of 15%.

As proposed, the tax should be divided as follows:

• 51% to counties
• 34% to school districts

The remaining part should be used to support the state’s horse racing industry, law-enforcement funding, and treating problem gambling.

Provided that the Bill is passed, Ohio would join the steadily growing list of US states that have opened their doors towards online gambling. Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Michigan, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, are just some of the states that have done that so far, plus Nevada which has so far introduced online poker only.

If the bill is passed, locals would get the opportunity to legally experience a variety of casino games, such as slot machines, poker, blackjack, roulette, craps, and other genres. Initially, only people who are physically present in the state would be permitted to play games, but that could expand, as federal law approves such a possibility.

Which Online Casino Games Can Be Played in Ohio?

Residents of Ohio interested in experiencing online casino games can do so on foreign gambling websites that are operating in the iGaming market of the United States. Providers focused on delivering games that are designed to meet the demands of US players include Rival, RTG, BetSoft, NuWorks, Arrows Edge, and so on.

This means that Ohio players can enjoy experiencing a variety of slot games, as most of these suppliers are focused on producing digital one-armed bandits. Other popular categories of games include table games such as blackjack, baccarat, roulette, poker, and more.

Ohio has a long history in professional sports and at least one team in every major league, which means there’s a plethora of sports wagering options to choose from. Players can also try luck with daily fantasy sports, which have been legal in the state since 2018. There are certain restrictions that will be outlined in the “Sports Betting in Ohio” part.

Another form of gambling which is getting lots of traction is called social casino gaming. These platforms, which can either be social casinos or sweepstakes casinos, allow players to check out a variety of casino-style games without spending any money.

The trick is in a special type of coins these sites operate on. Some of them are earned on activities such as daily log-in, taking part in promos, and so on, while the others can be purchased. Remember that this is not mandatory, but optionally, for those who want to participate in some exclusive events or simply secure longer gaming sessions.

Sweepstakes casinos

Sweepstakes casinos operate differently from traditional ones. These platforms use sweepstakes laws to offer casino-style games where players can win cash prizes without directly wagering real money. While Ohio has specific regulations governing real-money gambling activities (like sports betting, state lottery, brick-and-mortar casinos), sweepstakes casinos often can operate by adhering to the sweepstakes laws.

Ohio’s laws touch on sweepstakes, but they mainly focus on physical locations. For instance, under Section 2915.02 of the Ohio Revised Code, running or taking part in sweepstakes at a facility using specific terminal devices is prohibited, especially if the prizes exceed certain limits. However, this law doesn’t directly address online sweepstakes casinos. Because of this, online sweepstakes platforms are active in Ohio, but mostly in an unregulated space, giving residents a fun way to enjoy gaming from the comfort of their homes.

Are There Sweepstakes Casinos That Pay Real Money? 

Sweepstakes casinos do pay real-value prizes in specific circumstances, but they work a bit differently than regular online casinos. Instead of betting with cash, you use virtual currencies like Gold Coins that you use for fun or Sweeps Coins that can be redeemed for prizes. 

Getting Sweeps Coins

You can earn Sweeps Coins in a few ways—promos, giveaways, or even as a freebie when you buy Gold Coins. No purchase is required, so you can still get them for free and not paying to get them is the key. 

Playing and Winning

Use Sweeps Coins to play your favorite games. If you win, those Sweeps Coins can be redeemed for real cash prizes.

Cashing Out

Once you’ve racked up some Sweeps Coins, you can redeem them for real money, usually through methods like bank transfers, sometimes Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies, or other secure payment options.

It’s a fun way to enjoy casino-style games while staying within legal bounds in many states. Just remember to check the specific rules and cash-out methods for each site.

All sweepstakes platforms have a redemption policy that includes the sweeps coins to money exchange rate, as well as the minimum amount of coins you need to accumulate before you can exchange for prizes. These are all important to check before signing up. 

Games and Bonuses at Ohio Sweepstakes Casinos

These platforms offer a fun mix of games, including slots, table games like blackjack and poker, and sometimes even live dealer options. Some also have unique social or casual games that make the experience a little more fun and different from traditional online casinos.

You might find daily login bonuses, promotional giveaways, or challenges that reward you with more coins. Some sites also run exciting raffles or leaderboards, where consistent play can lead to bigger prizes.

For new players, many sweepstakes casinos have welcome offers, like a bonus amount of sweeps coins or gold coins when you sign up and complete verification. And ongoing promotions keep the excitement going, with free coins through social media campaigns or emails.

While these casinos don’t operate under traditional gambling laws, they’ve developed creative ways to engage players. This focus on variety and innovation makes Ohio’s sweepstakes casino scene a unique alternative for gaming enthusiasts.

Sports Betting in Ohio

In January 2023, several online sportsbook apps and physical sports wagering locations went live in the state, marking the official launch of sports betting in Ohio. Anyone who’s 21 or older and physically present in the state can place bets on sports.

Governor Mike DeWine signed HB29 into law, which previously passed both chambers of the Ohio legislature, expanding the spectrum of gambling forms accepted in The Buckeye State.

DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, FanDuel, and Fanatics Sportsbook are some of the companies greenlighted to welcome local players. Operators interested in expanding their business outreach in this state can apply for one of the following types of licenses:

• Type A – aimed at companies operating inside Ohio, such as state’s casinos and major professional sports organizations;
• Type B- intended licensees for this type of license are physical sportsbooks inside the state; it’s interesting to mention that countries with fewer than 50,000 residents are not permitted to open a sportsbook, whereas the largest counties can host no more than 5 retail locations;
• Type C- this type of license is meant for bars, restaurants, and other locations that serve alcohol and hold Class D liquor licenses;

Pro football is by far the most popular sport to bet, but most proprietors also offer college football, college and pro basketball, baseball, soccer, horse racing, golf, and combat sports. Ohio’s catalog allows NCAA Division I bets on football, basketball, baseball, hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball and volleyball.

However, prop bets on individual college athletes have been prohibited since 2024. Coin flips and other random determinations which are not based on the result of an outcome on the field play are not permitted either, and nor are bets on high school sporting events.

Ohio bans bets on things “determined prior to the performance of the athletes in the event,” including what clothing is worn and what sports drinks are used.

Gambling regulator in Ohio

Following the approval of a constitutional amendment in 2009, the Ohio Casino Control Commission was established to ensure the proper licensing conditions and mechanisms for law enforcement in the casino industry. The institution is in charge of licensing and supervising casino gaming, sports gaming, skill-based amusement machines, and fantasy contests.

Having over 80% of active gamblers in the adult population, the Commission prioritizes responsible gambling. Knowing that a certain number of adults are prone to experiencing harm related to gambling, the institution made sure to include a plethora of useful resources such as links to helplines, time-out options, and others.

Depositing and Withdrawing when in OH

To simplify things for players, we came up with this convenient table, where you can explore deposit/withdrawal and banking term rankings in casinos that accept players from Ohio. The aim is to help you evaluate which payment option and accompanying rules work the best for you.

Moreover, deposit and withdrawal methods for players from the United States give a complete insight into payment options that can be used US-wide, so feel free to refer to in when making up your mind between two or more casinos.

 

Conclusion

Unlike some rigorous US states, Ohio is quite open when it comes to gambling. Almost all forms of gambling are accepted in the state, with online gambling and online poker expected to join the ranks in a relatively short time.

Overseeing the industry is the Ohio Casino Control Commission, which is tasked to ensure that operators interested in offering their games to players from Ohio are compliant with all the requirements. Aside from this, the regulator promotes responsible gambling and has a wide array of tools for those who need assistance in managing their gambling habits.

In the meantime, consumers interested in gambling online have multiple options at their disposal. Fans of online sports betting physically present in the state can visit some of the certified sportsbooks, whereas those interested in traditional casino games can explore offshore gambling websites or social/ sweepstakes casinos.

Related Reading

• LCB.org
• Ohio Casino Control Commission

Written by: Michael Shackleford