Online Gambling in Ohio : Sports Betting

Ohio, also known as The Buckeye State, is often thought of as a “flyover state,” but it is a beautiful area full of culture and bustling activity. It has many colleges and sports teams that bring in tourists, as well as big cities that are hubs of industrialism and business. In-person and online gambling in Ohio are also popular attractions at places like casinos. Ohio doesn’t have a great deal of legal and available options for gambling, but the ones that are legal are listed out here so that you can decide for yourself where you want to put your money. This article should clear up some of the laws that might be confusing so that you can gamble with confidence in Ohio.

Ohio operates a comprehensive legal gambling framework that includes land-based casinos, online sports betting, lottery operations, charitable gaming, and horse racing. Oversight responsibilities are divided among the Ohio Casino Control Commission, the Ohio Lottery Commission, and the Ohio State Racing Commission. All regulations are codified in the Ohio Revised Code.

Online Casinos

Ohio does not authorize real-money online casino gambling. No statutes permit digital slot machines, blackjack, roulette, or online poker. Any such activity is unregulated and prohibited.

• Status: Illegal
• Date of Authorization: N/A
• Law: N/A
• Official Link: N/A
  

Online Sports Betting

Online sports betting became legal in Ohio on January 1, 2023, following the passage of House Bill 29. It is governed by the Ohio Casino Control Commission under Chapter 3775 of the Ohio Revised Code. Licensed operators are permitted to offer mobile and online sportsbooks to users located within the state.

• Status: Legal
• Date of Authorization: January 1, 2023
• Law: Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3775
• Official Link: https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/chapter-3775
  

Physical Casinos

Ohio voters approved land-based casinos via a 2009 constitutional amendment, and operational regulation was established under Chapter 3772 of the Ohio Revised Code. Four commercial casinos—located in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo—are licensed and overseen by the Ohio Casino Control Commission.

• Status: Legal
• Date of Authorization: 2011
• Law: Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3772
• Official Link: https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/chapter-3772
  

Horse Racing

Pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing is legal and administered by the Ohio State Racing Commission. The relevant laws are codified in Chapter 3769 of the Ohio Revised Code. Both live and simulcast racing are permitted, and licensed tracks operate with oversight of betting systems and race integrity.

• Status: Legal
• Date of Authorization: Modern form codified in the mid-20th century
• Law: Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3769
• Official Link: https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/chapter-3769
  

Lottery

The Ohio Lottery is governed under Chapter 3770 and is operated by the Ohio Lottery Commission. Established in 1974, the lottery offers draw games, instant tickets, and digital sales. Proceeds support public education and are subject to transparent reporting and fund allocation laws.

• Status: Legal
• Date of Authorization: 1974
• Law: Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3770
• Official Link: https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/chapter-3770
  

Charitable Gaming (Bingo, Raffles, Pull-Tabs)

Charitable gaming is regulated under Chapter 2915. Nonprofit organizations may legally conduct bingo, raffles, pull-tab ticket sales, and similar activities, subject to licensing, age requirements, financial transparency, and prize limits.

• Status: Legal
• Date of Authorization: Codified and regularly updated since the 1980s
• Law: Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2915
• Official Link: https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/chapter-2915
  

Overall Comment

Ohio provides a robust and fully legalized gambling environment for land-based casinos, sports betting, horse racing, the state lottery, and charitable games. The state has not yet legalized real-money online casinos, but legislative discussions continue. Regulation is centralized, consistent, and clearly defined in the Revised Code.

Online Casino in Ohio

Ohio online casinos operated within state boundaries are illegal. Ohio residents, however, may participate in online gambling through offshore sites or other state gambling sites. We do not recommend Ohio residents to play on Offshore Online Casinos. This can be dangerous and will let them with limited options if they were facing any issue with the operator.

Sports Betting in Ohio

Sports betting in Ohio is not legal or regulated. However regulators seems to be heading for a starting date later on this year, or around January 2023. Sports betting in Ohio became illegal when PASPA (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act) passed in 1992. The passing of this act banned sports betting, and in 2018 the federal courts struck it down, allowing states to decide for themselves whether or not they would allow sports betting. Ohio has yet to make online sports betting legal.