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Ohio Online Casinos

Historically, Ohio has been one of the states that have been trying hard to get into the gambling game, with some success in 2009 when the Ohio Casino Approval and Tax Distribution Amendment Passed, allowing four land-based casinos to be built in four strategic locations around the state. This amendment had mixed reactions with the majority feeling positive of the changes, especially since the 33% fixed tax to gross casino revenue would greatly benefit the state.

Prior to the amendment, the people of Ohio had to travel to neighboring Pennsylvania for gambling entertainment. Once the much-anticipated brick and mortar casinos were built in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo, the possibility of online casino options became the next talking point. Although it is still illegal to offer online gambling from within the state of Ohio, gamblers can join online casinos that are fully licensed and regulated outside the United States and offer their gaming service to American players.

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Ohio Online Gambling

Even though Ohio has opened up to gambling in casinos, the popularity of online casinos has grown even more. Not all players can travel to brick and mortar casinos for a little fun and entertainment when they want, which is why the instant access and convenience of online casinos are incredibly attractive features that appeal to lots of gamblers in the state.

While the laws around online gambling are still a little gray, players from the state can join certain sites that are open to American players; they just cannot be based inside the state of Ohio. Because of this, many players get confused about the requirements that allow them to legally gamble online.

With the millions of online casino sites available at any given time, it leaves many players open to potential fraud through scam sites that try to look like legitimate casinos. To help keep gamblers in Ohio safe without taking away their right to enjoy legitimate online casinos, there are certain things that players should keep an eye out for to help spot fraudulent sites.

Ohio Offshore Casino Statistics

Ohio is the 6th most active state that participates in offshore online gambling at casinos as of 2020 with a gross win amount of $41.93m.  Ohio contributes to 3.61% of all offshore casino activity in the United States for 2020.

Click here to see a breakdown of all offshore gambling activity broken down by state. The following is a breakdown of all offshore casino gambling from Ohio since 2003.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Gross Win $37.13m $44.21m $54.78m $64.49m $40.47m $38.74m $36.58m $36.14m $34.38m
Year 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020*
Gross Win $34.35m $34.15m $34.33m $32.70m $31.40m $30.95m $30.52m $29.89m $41.93m

*Note: Data from 2020 are currently based on estimates.

Source – H2 Gambling Capital

Offshore gambling statistics for sports betting from Ohio can be found here.

US Casinos – What to look for

For anyone new to the online gambling scene, it can feel a little stressful to find a legitimate online casino with a good reputation but there are a few things to look out for to make sure the site can be trusted.

The first thing to look out for is the gambling license on the site. Normally, they are easily found at the bottom of the homepage or can be obtained from the help support pages. Alternatively, players can contact support for this information. Not only do sites that have a license have the right to provide cash gambling entertainment online, but they are instantly more reputable for international players.

The jurisdictions that most online casinos will have a license with will be from any of the following:

  • United Kingdom – UK Gambling Commission
  • Gibraltar – Gibraltar Regulatory Authority
  • Malta – Malta Gaming Authority
  • Kahnawake – Kahnawake Gaming Commission
  • Isle of Man – Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission
  • Curaçao – Curaçao Gaming Control Board
  • Costa Rica – Costa Rican Gambling Commission
  • Alderney – Alderney Gambling Control Commission

Reputable US casinos in particular, will most likely be licensed in the jurisdiction of Curaçao by Curaçao eGaming.

Another good factor to look out for is third-party regulators that periodically audit sites to ensure they follow fair play practices in all of the casino games offered to players. Although not all casinos will have this information published, all of the top reputable online casinos will hire a third-party company to check and approve the site.

For many players, it can feel discouraging trying to find good online casinos that accept players from the US. Many casinos will have country restrictions or will not offer banking options for US players, which makes gambling difficult. A quick check on the terms and conditions of an online casino will usually give full details of which countries are prohibited from playing on the site, along with the currencies and banking options offered to site members.  For further details, you can read this article here for a more comprehensive guide.

Ohio Gambling Laws

As it stands, gambling in Ohio is limited to placing bets on horse races, brick & mortar casinos (which includes casinos on Indian reservations), tag fishing tournaments, charitable lottery fundraisers, and limited gambling for non-profit organizations that host bingo and raffle events.

Apart from placing the odd bet on a licensed race on a horse track, bookmakers or betting on sporting events is still strictly illegal in the state of Ohio.

Legal Disclaimer:

WagerDex has disclosed the above statements as information only. We do not purport that the information is complete nor correct in entirety. The above statements are not be used as specific legal advice. No attorney and clients relationship exists between WagerDex and readers of this site.

FAQ

Is Bovada legal in Ohio?

Anyone of legal age in the Buckeye State will be happy to know that Bovada is a safe and trusted platform for gambling online. Players can place their bets in a safe and secure way, without the worry of breaking any state or federal laws.

What are the different gambling games allowed in Ohio?

In the state of Ohio, charity-based gaming such as bingo (incl. instant bingo) raffles, and games of chance like the state lottery (incl. VLTs – video lottery terminals) and Keno are legally allowed. Gamblers are also legally able to place bets on horse races, and government-approved land-based casinos (incl. on Indian reserves).

Players who are looking to gamble online will find that online gambling sites that are based in the state of Ohio are still considered illegal. If they would like to play games for real money, they will have to find online casinos that are based and licensed outside the US.

What is the legal age limit to gamble in Ohio?

Within the state of Ohio, the minimum age to play Bingo is 16. As for other forms of gambling like the lottery, Keno, and placing bets on horse races, players must be at least 18 years old. For land-based casinos, anyone aged 21 years and over is free to enter and gamble in these establishments. Anyone wanting to place a bet or play a game that involves cash will require valid ID before they can participate.

Online casinos that are open to international players will have strict verification processes to ensure all players are legally allowed to gamble on the site. While some casinos will have free gaming options for unverified players, if someone would like to gamble for real money, they will have to provide a valid ID and go through the verification process before a bet can be made.

What kind of casino games can I play online?

The majority of online casinos will offer a range of games from classic slots, progressive slots, table games like blackjack, roulette, craps, and poker, live dealer table games, and virtual specialty games like Bingo and Keno.

Depending on the casino, some will focus more on slots, while others will have a wide range of game options that could also include sports betting on the site. One new option that is quickly gaining popularity is virtual game shows that allow players to place bets on popular games that are historically watched on TV.

Do casinos need a license?

Yes. All online casinos that offer gambling for real money will require a license to provide that type of entertainment to players. Licensed and regulators will often be listed on the site or within the casino’s terms and conditions. Should the information be difficult to find, players are free to contact the casino’s support team for more information.

What do I need to place a bet online?

Most online casinos will have players register to their site and go through a verification process that will require a valid photo ID along with a couple of other pieces of information. Once verified, players will need to register their preferred banking method out of the options the casino has to offer their international players. Deposit and withdrawal options will usually vary, so players are encouraged to check their options before registering.

How can I get help for my gambling addiction?

Millions of people love the fun and excitement of online casinos but when the joy and entertainment start to become a problem in a player’s personal and financial life, that is when they should seek professional help.

Gambling addiction is a serious issue that many people encounter, and every reputable online casino will offer help to control gambling, gaming, and stress from the addiction. Most sites will have contact information posted at the bottom of the main homepage or through member support. The professionals on hand are trained to help players reign in their habit and even work with them to set limits on the site.

Is online blackjack legal in Ohio?

Online blackjack is neither legal or illegal in Ohio. Although it is clear that online casino sites cannot be operated onshore, it is unclear as to whether players can or cannot play at offshore online casinos. With the ambiguity in the laws, many Ohio players play at offshore online casinos without any risk of fines or charges.