Online Casinos in Ohio
Are real-money online casinos legal in the Buckeye State, and what can you actually play online right now?
Short Answer
No. There Are No Licensed Online Casinos in Ohio.
Ohio has not enacted an iGaming law, and the state licenses no real-money online slots, table games, or poker. Sites marketing "Ohio online casino real money" operate offshore without state oversight. What is legal: mobile sports betting under the Ohio Casino Control Commission, the 11 retail casinos and racinos, sweepstakes sites, and the Ohio Lottery in person or by third-party courier.
How It Happened
Voters Approve Issue 3
Ohio voters pass the constitutional amendment 53% to 47%, authorizing four commercial casinos in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Toledo, with a 33% tax on gross casino revenue.
DeWine Signs HB 29
Gov. Mike DeWine signs the sports betting law, which authorizes 25 mobile (Type A) licenses and 40 retail (Type B) licenses under the Ohio Casino Control Commission.
Sports Betting Launches
Mobile and retail sportsbooks go live statewide on the universal launch date set by the OCCC. Online wagering quickly accounts for more than 98% of total handle.
SB 197 Introduced
Sen. Nathan Manning files the Senate iGaming bill, proposing a $50 million license fee, a 36% tax rate, and online slots, poker, horse racing, and lottery under one regulator.
HB 298 Introduced
Rep. Brian Stewart files the House version, capping licenses at the 11 existing casinos and racinos, setting a 28% tax rate, and prohibiting sweepstakes casinos. The bill stalls in House Finance.
Sweepstakes Casinos for Ohio
With no licensed online casinos in Ohio, sweepstakes sites are the legal way to play slots and table games online. These are placeholders until our database is wired in.
Casinos we play at. We earn a commission when you sign up through these.
Why Online Casinos Are Not Legal Yet
Ohio opened to large-scale gambling when voters approved Issue 3 in November 2009 by a 53 to 47 margin, allowing one commercial casino each in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Toledo. The Ohio Casino Control Commission, set up under the 2011 Casino Control Law, regulates those venues plus the 25 mobile sportsbook licenses authorized by HB 29, which Gov. Mike DeWine signed on December 22, 2021. Neither law covered internet slots, table games, or poker.
Two iGaming bills moved in 2025. Sen. Nathan Manning introduced SB 197 on May 13 to put online casino games, online poker, online horse racing, and an iLottery under the Casino Control Commission at a 36% tax rate. Rep. Brian Stewart filed HB 298 on May 20, limiting licenses to the 11 existing casinos and racinos at a 28% tax rate and banning sweepstakes sites at the same time. Both bills stalled in committee. Gov. DeWine has publicly opposed online casino expansion, and as of May 2026 no iGaming law is in force in Ohio.
What You Can Play Legally
The legal options available to Ohio residents right now.
Online Sports Betting
Legal since January 1, 2023 under HB 29. The Ohio Casino Control Commission authorizes up to 25 Type A mobile licenses, used by operators such as FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and Caesars. Bettors must be 21 and physically inside Ohio, and the GGR tax rate is 20%.
Retail Casinos and Racinos
Eleven brick-and-mortar venues operate statewide: four commercial casinos (JACK Cleveland, Hard Rock Cincinnati, Hollywood Toledo, Hollywood Columbus) and seven racinos that run video lottery terminals through the Ohio Lottery Commission. The age limit on the floor is 21.
Ohio Lottery
The Ohio Lottery sells Powerball, Mega Millions, Classic Lotto, and daily draw games in person. It does not run a state iLottery. Third-party courier apps like Jackpot.com can buy physical tickets on a player’s behalf. The minimum age is 18.
Sweepstakes and Social Casinos
No Ohio statute bans the dual-currency sweepstakes model, so sites that award redeemable prizes are accessible. HB 298 would prohibit them, but the bill has not advanced. Sweepstakes casinos are not licensed by the state.
Play Responsibly
You must be 21 to gamble at Ohio casinos, racinos, and sportsbooks, and 18 to play the Ohio Lottery. If gambling stops being fun, call 1-800-GAMBLER for free, confidential help, or read our responsible gambling guide.
Ohio Gambling FAQ
Are online casinos legal in Ohio?+
No. Ohio has not legalized real-money online casino games, and the Ohio Casino Control Commission licenses no operator to offer them. Any site advertising "Ohio online casino real money" is offshore and unregulated.
Can I bet on sports online in Ohio?+
Yes. Mobile and retail sports betting launched on January 1, 2023 under HB 29. The OCCC has authorized up to 25 Type A mobile licenses, and bettors must be 21 and physically inside the state.
Are sweepstakes casinos allowed in Ohio?+
Yes. No Ohio law bans the sweepstakes model, so sites like Stake.us, Chumba, and McLuck operate here. HB 298 would outlaw them as part of an iGaming bill, but that bill has stalled in committee.
How old do you have to be to gamble in Ohio?+
The minimum age is 21 for the four commercial casinos, the seven racinos, and all sports betting. The Ohio Lottery, bingo, and pari-mutuel horse racing are 18 and over.
Will Ohio legalize online casinos?+
Two 2025 bills tried. SB 197 from Sen. Manning and HB 298 from Rep. Stewart both stalled in committee, and Gov. DeWine has said he opposes online casino expansion. No enacted iGaming law exists in Ohio as of May 2026. We update this page when the legal status changes.