Ohio Online Gambling: Quick Facts
- Legal Ohio online gambling options: None
- Legal gambling age: 21
- Who regulates Ohio online gambling? N/A
- Legal mobile gambling? No
- Do I need to be physically located in Ohio to gamble online? N/A
- Do I need to be a resident of Ohio to gamble online? N/A
- Sports avalable to bet on: Horse racing at racetracks only.
- What can't I bet on? Sports.
A Brief History of Ohio Online Gambling
Ohio online gambling is currently illegal. States gained the right to legalize sports betting because of New Jersey in 2018. New Jersey battled the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act for nearly a decade to legalize sports betting.
The professional sports leagues and the NCAA battled New Jersey because they did not want sports betting legalized in the United States. They had a fear that they would lose money that was being bet on their respective products.
Ohio has only shown a desire to legalize online sports betting, but the legislature has left online casino gaming to the side. The first state to legalize online casino gaming was Delaware in 2012. Ohio never jumped at the opportunity to follow DE in the online casino market.
Ohio began the sports betting legalization process in 2019. The House of Representatives and the Senate in Ohio both proposed bills in 2019 that rolled into 2020. Both bills included mobile sports betting, but the differences in the bills kept it stalled in the government.
Governor Mike DeWine has stated that sports betting will be legalized, but it’s just a matter of when it will occur. He said that unregulated sports betting is happening every day in Ohio, but the state needs to legalize sports betting to benefit financially.
Sports betting would be a great way to help Ohio in recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, it would not be surprising to see the state legalize sports betting in 2021.
Ohio Online Gambling: The Current Law
There is no online gambling allowed in Ohio. The state legislature is trying to get a deal done as soon as possible, but nothing has come to fruition. There are debates over the details of the bills being published in the House and the Senate.
Legal Online Sportsbooks
There are no legal online sportsbooks in Ohio. Ohio is surrounded by massive sports betting states which have large providers like DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM. These providers and many more will most likely try to enter the state.
Sports Betting in Ohio
Ohio would have a significant sports betting market. This is because of the sports teams in the state and the population of hardcore sports fanatics. Ohio has a large selection of D1 athletic teams, including The Ohio State University and the University of Cincinnati.
Ohio also has six sports teams in the four major professional sports leagues. Here is a list of the teams that play in Ohio.
- NFL: Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals
- MLB: Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds
- NHL: Columbus Blue Jackets
- NBA: Cleveland Cavaliers
When Ohio legalizes sports betting, here is a list of the bet types you will be able to place.
The moneyline, point spread, and over/under are common wagers used by many bettors. Props and futures are enjoyable to place but tough to win. Parlays are a combination of two or more single bets. All legs must hit on these bets for you to win.
Legal Online Casinos
There are no legal online casinos in Ohio, and it does not look likely that this will become a reality anytime soon. Although, Ohio does have some landlocked casinos and racinos in the state.
There are eleven total casinos in Ohio. Four of the properties are standalone casinos, and the other seven are casino/racetrack hybrids called racinos. The Hollywood Casinos in Columbus and Toledo, as well as MGM Northfield, are three of the most popular locations in the state.
Legal Online Poker
There is no online poker allowed in Ohio. However, poker is legal in card rooms inside the state’s landlocked casinos. People can also play poker at home as long as no person benefits from hosting the game.
How to Set Up an Ohio Gambling Account
When Ohio legalizes online gambling, you will be able to sign up from your mobile device. You will be doing this directly from the app or website of a mobile betting provider. On a legal platform, go to the registration section, which will usually appear at the top of your phone or computer.
You will be asked to input some information like your name, address, date of birth, and social security number. You must be in Ohio when you are attempting to register, or it will not work.
The sportsbook needs your social security number to check your betting legality in the state. This is a standard measure that’s used by sportsbooks all over the United States. Make sure to create a strong password on the online gambling platform so your account stays secure.
Ohio Online Gambling: Banking Methods
Online gambling platforms in the United States use similar banking methods. When online gambling comes to Ohio, there will be plenty of banking methods for all types of bettors. You will have access to the central banking methods: PayPal, Neteller, PayNearMe, e-Check through ACH Payments, or a banking wire.
Do not worry about financial theft because Ohio will guarantee that online gambling sites have stringent security measures.
The Future of Online Gambling in Ohio
The Ohio legislature has been close to legalizing online gambling in the state for years. Online sports betting is going to become a reality very soon. Governor Mike DeWine has stated that sports betting is coming soon, but he does not know a specific time frame.
If the House and the Senate can agree on a bill, sports betting will be legalized very soon. Governor DeWine’s public acknowledgment of sports betting should help the form of gambling get legalized sooner rather than later.
