Ohio has not yet legalized real money casinos despite launching online sports betting apps, but players don’t have to travel to Ohio’s many retail casinos to enjoy slots, blackjack, and other games. Ohio boasts the best sweepstakes casinos available online, where slots and table games win players cash prizes, much like a traditional online casino. Below, you can claim the signup bonuses at these Ohio online casinos as well as see where the state stands on launching real money apps.
Ohio Online Casino Bonuses September 2024
Real-money online casinos are not yet legal in Ohio, but players can enjoy playing slots, table games, and more for cash prizes at sweepstakes and social casinos. Here are the best Ohio signup bonuses.
Gambling is for entertainment purposes only. Stay safe and ensure success when you gamble responsibly. Gambling problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER for confidential support. Visit SAMHSA’s National Helpline website for resources that include treatment center locator, anonymous chat, and more.
How We Rank the Best Ohio Online Casinos
Legality
At Bonus.com, we only ever recommend fully legal online casinos to ensure player safety and fair outcomes, including in states like Ohio that exclusively offer sweepstakes casinos for cash prizes.
Security
We also look for the security of personal and financial data when creating our rankings. Our recommended online casinos use SSL encryption when transferring information (i.e., during registration), as well as securely handle that information. Beyond that, we look at the safety and security of cashier options.
Welcome Bonuses
Naturally, evaluating an online casino’s monetary value to users begins with welcome bonuses. A welcome bonus is important as it serves as the first introduction to an online casino a player gets. We believe that welcome bonuses should be generous but also transparent, fair, and attainable.
Bonuses for Existing Players
Existing players deserve love, too. We factor in bonus opportunities for all players beyond the welcome bonus. Important considerations here include bonus size, variety, fairness, and how attainable the bonuses are according to their terms and conditions.
Game Selection
In our rankings, we look at types of games, including slots, table games, and other varieties. Beyond that, we look at the diversity of the offerings within each category, such as variations of table games and a wide range of slot themes and mechanics.
Reputation
Reputation is important, and online casinos carry their respective reps for a reason. When ranking them, we take that reputation into account and dig into the details to find out why and how online casinos become known for certain traits.
Loyalty & Rewards
Loyalty and rewards programs may not be the most important part of an online casino, but they are certainly a nice addition. Our rankings look at whether an online casino offers a loyalty program at all, and if it does, how solid that program is.
Ohio Online Gambling Snapshot
| Gambling Type | Legal? | Description |
|---|---|---|
| US Online Casinos | NO | Sweepstakes and social casinos only available. |
| Online Poker | NO | Poker only permitted at retail casinos. |
| Online Lottery | YES | Kentucky legal online lottery is available via Jackpot Lottery app and Jackpocket app. |
| Online Sports Betting | YES | Kentucky legal online sports betting went live on Jan. 1, 2023. |
| Online Horse Betting | YES | Fully legal with multiple app options. |
Online Casino Games in Ohio
Slots in Ohio
Players may be disappointed upon learning that their only option in Ohio is sweepstakes and social casinos. However, that disappointment should quickly disappear when they see the expansive slot catalogs at these free-to-play casinos. Slots in Ohio include many different themes, mechanics, and bonus features—from massive progressive jackpots all the way down to penny slots.
Table Games in Ohio
All of the table games you know and love can be found at sweepstakes and social casinos in Ohio. While some more obscure variations that include unique side bets may not be available in the state, players won’t have trouble finding the classics such as blackjack, roulette, and real money baccarat. In addition, some sites offer live dealer table games for those who prefer a more realistic retail-style casino experience.
More Ohio Online Casino Games
Ohio sweepstakes and social casinos include other varieties of games aside from slots and table games as well. These include games such as keno, Plinko, and dice, as well as online scratch off options and more. As you can see from the table at the top of this page, there are many sweepstakes and social casinos to explore within the state, and they all offer varying game catalogs to explore.
History of Gambling in Ohio
With its handful of major cities and legacy as an industrial hub, Ohio has quite a long history of gambling. Like many other states, Ohio legalized pari-mutuel horse betting in the 1930s and launched a state lottery in the 1970s. After a few quiet decades, casino gambling was legalized in 2009, allowing the first land-based Ohio retail casino to open in 2012 after the founding of the Ohio Casino Control Commission.
More recently, both in-person and online sports betting came to fruition on Jan. 1, 2023. Many believe this creates an opportunity to consider online casino legalization in the future.
Retail Casinos in Ohio
| Casino Name | Location | Sportsbook |
|---|---|---|
| Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati | Cincinnati | Hard Rock Sportsbook |
| Hollywood Casino Toledo | Toledo | Sportsbook Restaurant at Hollywood Casino Toledo |
| Hollywood Columbus Casino | Columbus | The Sportsbook at Hollywood Casino Columbus |
| JACK Cleveland Casino | Cleveland | JACK Thistledown Sportsbook |
Ohio Online Casinos – Bottom Line
To sum it all up, Ohio online gamblers have a solid number of options between online sports betting and social casinos. Despite not yet having access to legal real money online casinos, players can find a plethora of entertainment and enjoyment with what’s available now. Moving forward, it seems promising that legislation could be introduced to legalize Ohio online casinos. If that day comes, we’ll update this page with the latest details.
More Resources for Ohio Online Gamblers
Ohio Casino Control Commission
Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
Problem Gambling Network of Ohio
Online Casinos in Neighboring States
Ohio Online Casinos FAQ
No. Real money online casinos are not currently legal in Ohio. Sweepstakes and social casinos, on the other hand, are legal and available to online players in Ohio.
Yes. Players looking to bet online can take advantage of Ohio online sports betting and Ohio horse betting.
Yes. Chumba Casino is available in Ohio.
There are four land-based casinos in Ohio: Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati, Hollywood Casino Columbus, Hollywood Casino Toledo, and JACK Cleveland.
There are various gambling apps legal in Ohio for online sports betting and horse betting. However, the only legal apps for online casino-style gambling in Ohio are sweepstakes and social casino apps.
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