Is online poker illegal in Ohio? Although there is no mention of online or internet poker, there are some key elements we must look at. First of all, poker is categorized as a game of chance, and the skill factor is. Online Poker USA - Real Money Sites Reviewed and Ranked. There are a number of reputable as well as disreputable websites available to you no matter what state you reside in. We realize that most people do not eat, sleep, and breathe online poker like we do. The inaugural PokerStars Michigan Championship of Online Poker (MICOOP) continues today with seven events on the schedule and PokerNews coverage of Event #31: $250 NLHE Sunday Special SE, $100K GTD starting at 5 p.m. Registration is already open for all within the state of Michigan. We are not Online Poker For Money Ohio a casino and no gambling with real money takes place on this site. Laws pertaining to online gambling vary between countries and states. With the hope that regulating online poker and online casino games might provide a competitive advantage for New Jersey’s casinos — while also providing a financial boost to the state — then-Gov. Chris Christie and other NJ lawmakers worked together to pass a bill that legalized NJ online gambling sites offered by licensed AC casinos in 2013.

1. Online Poker For Money In Ohio
2. Online Poker For Money Ohio State

For many years, gambling options in Ohio were very scarce. Lawmakers here seemed uninterested in changing this until 2009, when commercial casinos were legalized. Since that time, online gambling has grown significantly more popular here. Today, our team of gambling experts is going to explain how you can find the best Ohio poker sites currently operating.

Some readers want to skip over this information and get straight to playing poker online for real money. No problem! Below are some of the best online poker sites in Ohio operating right now. Feel free to check them out!

As many already know, there are some fantastic options for poker online available here. Choosing which site to join can seem a little difficult. We’ll help out by going over some of the most important features to look for.

Many still have questions about the legality of real money online poker in Ohio. Like many states, Ohio sets somewhat ambiguous regulations on this industry. Later on down this page, our team will break down the current laws to let you know what is allowed and what is not.

Ohio might not be thought of as a gambling destination. That’s beginning to change. This page should help poker fans understand which options are currently available and help you find where to play poker online in Ohio.

Here’s What to Look for in Ohio Poker Sites

There are a huge number of great Ohio online poker sites operating right now. Those who are new to this form of gambling may find it a little daunting trying to decide which one to join. That’s completely understandable.

Below are four features that you’ll want to look for in online Ohio poker rooms.

Safe and Easy Cashier System

Most people’s primary concern when getting into online gambling is about how safe their money will be. The US online gambling industry has come a long way over the years, and most Ohio poker sites work extremely hard to protect their members’ cash. Those caught doing anything shady are almost instantly blacklisted.

Before joining any OH poker sites, make sure it offers great deposit and withdrawal options. Head over to our gambling site reviews page and look at our breakdown of the site you’re interested in. We’ll offer information on all the different payment options available!

Helpful Customer Support Options

It’s unfortunate to see how many gamblers join a site without making sure it offers solid support options. This is an easy mistake to avoid. Just about all modern poker sites in Ohio clearly list which customer service features are offered.

We highly recommend that you join one offering a 24/7 live chat feature. This allows you to speak directly with a website representative over text. It’s best to stay away from the poker sites that only provide email support, as it can take a long time to answer your questions.

Poker Games You Want to Play

There are many different variations of poker being offered nowadays. Some online poker sites in Ohio are known to offer more poker games than others. It’s always a good idea to spend time looking at exactly which games are available.

If you want to play Texas Hold’em, for example, make sure you join a site that actually offers it! Most Ohio poker sites make it extremely easy to find the list of available games. Don’t overlook this step!

Great Promotional Offers

Promotions, for those who are unaware, are bonus offers that gambling sites offer to their members. Most promotions can help to increase the amount of money you have in your account. We recommend you find an online OH poker website that offers great promotional offers for new and existing members.

The most common promotional offer you will come across is a welcome bonus. This will add a certain percentage onto whatever you first deposit into your account. Look for promotions that are easy to use and don’t come with massive rollover requirements.

You may have found a few real money online poker sites in Ohio that provide these four features. Great! Now, simply choose which one you like the most.

Poker Sites in Ohio Continue to Grow More Popular

Casino gambling in Ohio has grown considerably more popular over the past decade. That’s not entirely surprising. Prior to 2009, there were no land-based gambling venues operating in the state. Fortunately, that’s no longer the case.

Interestingly, online gambling—especially online poker gambling—is also growing much more popular throughout the state. And there are a couple of reasons why.

More people here are beginning to realize how convenient Ohio poker sites really are. They allow you to make wagers from anywhere in the state with an internet connection! Many prefer this, rather than making the drive to a brick-and-mortar gaming venue.

Nowadays, almost all real money poker sites in Ohio also provide fantastic mobile gambling options. This makes it easy to play your favorite poker games using just your phone.

It’s incredible to see how many different games online poker rooms in Ohio offer nowadays. In some cases, the sites here provide more poker options than the top land-based venues in the state. Every site is different, though.

Online poker gambling grows more popular around the country every single year. Many feel that, in time, Ohio will choose to regulate this industry.

List of Land-Based Poker Venues in Ohio

Many people still prefer to play poker in person. There’s something special about playing poker inside a real venue with other gamblers. With that in mind, we’re providing the names and locations of the four venues in the state that offer poker.

• Hollywood Casino Columbus: Columbus
• Hollywood Casino Toledo: Toledo
• Jack Cincinnati Casino: Cincinnati
• Jack Cleveland Casino: Cuyahoga

Online Poker For Money In Ohio

Each of these casinos have gained massive fan bases in the state. They help to provide valuable revenue to the local economies. Some analysts believe that in time, lawmakers in Ohio will approve measures to increase the number of casinos operating here.

If you’re in any of the cities above, make sure to check out the local casino!

Legality of Online Poker Gambling in Ohio

Real money online gambling, as a whole industry, is still very new in the US. To make things more complicated, regulations towards specific kinds of online gambling differ from state to state. Fortunately, Ohio is very lenient with its internet gambling laws.

In 2009, lawmakers in the state approved a measure to legalize commercial casinos. Calls to regulate the state’s internet poker industry followed shortly afterward. As of June 2020, however, this has not yet been accomplished.

This industry remains unregulated in the state. That doesn’t make it illegal. In fact, there are no laws here that indicate internet poker gambling is not allowed. For that reason, a huge number of people now play at Ohio poker sites on a regular basis.

“Bet means the hazarding of anything of value upon the result of an event, undertaking, or contingency, but does not include a bona fide business risk.”

One section of this text also describes what the state considers to be “games of chance.”

“Game of chance means poker, craps, roulette, or other game in which a player gives anything of value in the hope of gain, the outcome of which is determined largely by chance, but does not include bingo.”

Some are surprised to find that poker isn’t listed under the “game of chance” category. Interestingly, there are no laws here that specifically prohibit online poker gaming. In fact, there have been several recent attempts to formally legalize and regulate this industry.

Will I Be Prosecuted for Gambling Through Poker Sites in Ohio?

It’s extremely unlikely. Lawmakers in this state have been embracing the gambling industry, rather than pushing against it. No laws here prohibit online poker gambling. In time, it’s highly likely that this industry will become state-regulated.

*We are not lawyers. Please reach out to a legal professional for more information about the specific online poker laws in Ohio.*

Tips to Stay Safe Playing at Ohio Online Poker Sites

Safety is always priority number-one when getting into online gambling. The great thing is that the vast majority of Ohio poker sites currently operating work hard to keep their members safe. Most internet poker gamblers will never come across any issues.

Below are five easy steps that you can follow to ensure that your online gambling experience is nothing but fun!

Choose Reputable Online Poker Sites in Ohio

This is the easiest way to stay completely safe when playing poker online. A reputable site will always protect your money. The best ones will also provide you with a range of direct and simple customer support options.

Only Bet What You Can Afford

One of the most common mistakes that gamblers make is wagering more money than they should. It’s an easy one to make, as poker is just so fun! One of the best ways to avoid this mistake is keeping track of exactly how much you are gambling. If you see things getting out of hand, take a break from using any Ohio poker sites for a while.

Read Into the Promotional Offers

Promotions are fantastic tools to boost the amount of money you have to gamble with. All real money Ohio poker sites offer their members different bonuses. Make sure to always understand how these promotions work. You can then decide whether or not you want to use them!

Utilize the Customer Support Tool When You Need It

There’s a good chance that you will never come across an issue while playing poker online. If, however, you find a problem, it’s important that you utilize the site’s customer support tools. The best online poker sites in Ohio will always be available to answer your questions.

Keep Your Online Poker Account Information Private

Last, but not least, we recommend that you should always keep your poker account information private. This goes without saying, but those with access to your username and password can collect your winnings without you knowing about it! It’s also recommended that you change your account’s password from time to time.

As long as you follow these steps, your online poker experience should be an absolute blast!

Ohio Online Poker Sites FAQ

Is There a Limit to How Much Money I Can Win Playing at OH Poker Sites?

No. Your ability to win just depends on your poker skills! Many professional players are able to win a significant amount of money on a monthly basis. Not many Ohio poker sites actually set limits on the amount of money you can win.

What Are the Best Poker Sites in Ohio Operating Right Now?

It seems as though everyone has their own opinion on this. But there are a lot of well-rated online poker options currently available here. Our team of experts highly recommend SportsBetting.ag and Ignition Poker. They’re both modern, safe sites with a wide range of different poker gambling options. Check them out today!

Will Poker Sites in Ohio Ever Become State-Regulated?

It seems highly likely that at some point, online poker gambling will become regulated by the state. It’s clear that lawmakers are beginning to embrace this industry. If you’d like to learn about any updates on the legal situation in this state, take a look at our gambling news page.

What Poker Games Are the Best for Beginners?

There are a huge number of different poker games available today. Many experts believe that Texas Hold’em is the best game for beginners. It’s fairly easy to learn and is available from nearly all Ohio poker sites operating today.

Do Ohio Online Poker Sites Offer Other Casino Gambling Options?

Some do, and some do not. This depends on whether or not you join an Ohio poker site dedicated specifically to poker gambling. There are a huge number of fantastic online casino sites operating here that offer everything from poker to slots. Do some research on the site you are interested in joining to see exactly what it offers.

Conclusion on Ohio Poker Sites

Online Poker For Money Ohio State

It’s been a little over a decade since Ohio legalized land-based casinos. Since that time, the gambling industry in the state has exploded in popularity. Many are now choosing to play at online poker sites in Ohio thanks to the convenience that they offer.

Reach out to out gambling experts with any additional questions you have. Good luck playing real money poker online in Ohio!

Ohioans now have some of the richest variety of land-based poker options in the US, but thousands and thousands of poker players from Ohio are still choosing to play their poker online. It’s fast, it’s easy and it beats a drive through traffic and a multi-hour wait list at the casino poker room.

Despite the popularity of the game, a number of potential online poker players in Ohio still have questions about playing poker for real money online, and it’s our goal with this Guide to Ohio Online Poker to answer those questions – and provide a richer picture of poker in Ohio along the way.

Most Recent Online Poker Happenings in Ohio

There has been no talk of legalizing online poker in Ohio.

Oddly enough, many of Ohio’s neighboring states have either proposed bills or officially legalized online poker and casino games. Pennsylvania legalized online gaming in 2017 and launched its first poker and casino sites in 2019. West Virginia legalized online gaming in 2019 and plans to launch sites by 2021. Kentucky and Michigan have both discussed online poker in their respective legislatures.

Ohio, on the other hand, has yet to propose it.

Land-based casinos have been legal since 2012, and daily fantasy sports was legalized in 2017.

The Ohio Lottery is in the process of constructing a proposal to officially put its lottery ticket offerings online. And many lawmakers want legal sports betting, though it is likely to be in brick-and-mortar sportsbooks and not online.

There have been several sports betting bills introduced to the legislature in the past year. One would put the Ohio Lottery Commission in control of the industry and give oversight to the Ohio Casino Commission, but the other would give all control to the Ohio Casino Commission. Even Governor Mike DeWine is supportive of sports betting in general, but the delay seems to be with the agency that would control it.

The Basics of Online Poker and Ohio

You like the action of poker, but you hate the drudgery of getting to the casino. Now you’re ready to try online poker, but searching for Ohio-friendly poker sites just returns a bunch of noise and third-rate websites – until you find our guide. It’s updated. It’s objective. It’s built on the observations of several actual online poker players, players who want the same things out of an online poker room that you do.

Based on those observations and that experience, we’ve built this list of the top Ohio online poker sites for real money.

Can Players From Ohio Play Poker?

If you’re residing in Ohio and hoping to play real-money online poker, you’re in luck. There are several sites that accept players from Ohio.

Whether you start with a site from our list of the top Ohio online poker rooms above or choose one of the other options for Ohioans, you’ll be looking at a simple process that will have you battling it out with other players from around the world in under an hour.

All Poker and Gambling Laws by State

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Is Playing Online Poker Legal in Ohio?

We’re not lawyers, nor are we qualified to offer legal advice. Our solitary goal with this section is to communicate the absolute basics of Ohio gambling law and to encourage you to then review the Ohio statutes yourself (online version can be found below).

After doing so, you’ll realize what many others have already learned: Ohio gambling law is complicated and involves a good deal of information beyond the statutes to fully comprehend. That’s why we always encourage players with questions about the legality of online poker to consult with a lawyer for authoritative answers.
Let’s walk through some of the basic points of Ohio gambling law:

Unlike most states, Ohio does not offer a formal definition of gambling. Instead, we can arrive at their working definition by looking at the misdemeanor charge of gambling (Section 2915.02), which covers bookmaking, promoting games of chance, exchanging information that facilitates bookmaking or games of chance and engaging in “any scheme or game of chance as a substantial source of income or livelihood” (Section 2915.02(4)).

That last part is important. Ohio law is specifically constructed to dole out heavier punishments to those who gamble for a living. Note that taking part in an illegal poker game would not necessarily be illegal in and of itself; players must draw a “substantial source of income” from the activity to trigger the charge detailed above.

Players who don’t meet that standard could still face some criminal exposure under Ohio law, but it’s a bit of a longshot. For example, Section 2915.04 makes it a crime (misdemeanor) to play games of chance in public places like resorts and halls.

On to “games of chance,” which are defined very specifically under Ohio law:

“Poker, craps, roulette, or other game in which a player gives anything of value in the hope of gain, the outcome of which is determined largely by chance, but does not include bingo” (Section 2915.01(D)).

Famous Ohio Poker Players

There are some live poker rooms in Ohio, namely in Toledo, Columbus, and Northfield. There are few large live tournament series that play in those casinos, but the poker rooms do provide a breeding ground for new players.

Many players in Ohio also got their start playing online poker. David Peters is one of them, who is now a high-stakes live poker player who is the sixth winningest player in the world with more than $33.4 million in live winnings.

Byron Kaverman certainly got his start in poker in home games with friends and in the poker rooms in Ohio, and he has gone on to win more than $15 million in his career. He spent years honing his game online and was one of the launching pads for him and many others in his generation of players.

David “Chip” Reese hailed from Ohio. His live poker winnings totaled nearly $4 million before his untimely death in 2007. He is one of the most respected players in the game’s history, known mostly for his fierce cash game play.

As of 2021, the top-ranked live poker players in Ohio history were listed as:

1. David Peters ($33.4 million)
2. Byron Kaverman ($15.1 million)
3. Keven Stammen ($6.1 million)
4. Jacob Bazeley ($4.5 million)
5. David Reese ($4 million)
6. Joe Ebanks ($3.3 million)
7. Adam Friedman ($3.1 million)
8. Shawn Cunix ($2.3 million)
9. Joseph Couden ($2.3 million)
10. Samuel Phillips ($2.2 million)

Ohio Gambling Overview

List of Regulated Gambling Options in Ohio

The sole major form of regulated gambling not on the menu in Ohio is tribal gambling. Otherwise, you can run the gamut in the state – play the lottery, get in a few pari-mutuel bets on races, engage in any of the multiple forms of charitable gambling that get the official state nod or spend a night at Ohio’s brand-spanking new commercial casinos.

List of Regulated Online Gambling Options in Ohio

While Ohio has a bountiful assortment of regulated land-based gambling, the state offers exactly zero regulated online gambling options. This doesn’t necessarily disqualify all forms of online betting from existing legally in Ohio – it just means there’s no such thing as an online poker room or casino licensed or regulated by the state.

Sources & Citations For This Article on Ohio Online Poker