Best Ohio Online Casino Sites (October 2024)

Looking for an Ohio online casino to play your favorite games? You can use sweepstakes platforms, which are fully legal. If you want to play with actual cash, we’ll have to confirm where the state stands regarding legal online casino gaming.

There’s much to learn about online gaming in Ohio to ensure you go about it legally and safely. That’s what we’ll cover on this page. First, an overview of current regulatory realities, then we move on to the best places to play and more. Let’s go!

🔑 Key Takeaways

Find out legal and safe sweepstakes casinos in Ohio.
Learn the history of gambling in OH, dating back to the 18th century.
Discover the differing opinions on legalizing real money online casinos in Ohio.

Are Real Money Online Casinos Legal in Ohio?

Real money online casinos are not legal in Ohio. Presently, the state’s Casino Control Commission only approves commercial gaming at specific land-based casinos. If you want to gamble online as a resident, your best option is sports betting, which was only recently legalized.

However, Ohio isn’t the only region with unfriendly real money casino gaming laws. If you wish to know the situation in other places, check out this guide on what states have online casino gambling in the US.

Fact: The Ohio Casino Control Commission is exclusively responsible for regulating Ohio’s casinos. The Ohio Lottery Commission oversees other betting forms in the state.

Our Top 5 Sweepstakes Online Casinos in Ohio

You won’t find a real money online casino Ohio site, but there are many legal sweepstakes platforms. At these online social casinos, you play for free using virtual coins, usually Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins. Yet, when you win Sweeps Coins, you can redeem real prizes.

Here’s our guide to the best US sweepstakes casinos if you want to know all your options. Meanwhile, below are the best 5 online sweeps casinos in Ohio.

Chanced Casino in Ohio

Chanced Casino boasts various Vegas-style games totaling more than 500. However, most are slots, so you’ll appreciate the platform if you love spinning reels. Upon registration, you’ll receive a welcome package of 10,000 Gold Coins, 2 Sweeps Coins, and 20 free spins.

As a top Ohio online casino for sweepstakes gaming, Chanced Casino has quite a seamless mobile interface. Thanks to this, you can enjoy your preferred games on the go from anywhere.

→ When you sign up with Chanced Casino, you can try any of its original in-house games. A top recommendation is Dice, as it simply involves predicting the outcome of rolls.

Ding Ding Ding in Ohio

Ding Ding Ding is one of the best OH online casino sites if you want to play many games. How many are we talking about? Well, Ding Ding Ding gives you a library of 800 titles. The platform has a 10,000 GC and 2.5 SC welcome bonus, which ensures you can start playing without making any initial purchases.

One aspect that makes Ding Ding stand out is its private custom games. You get a chance to select exclusive titles you prefer and have fun with them. It’s worth mentioning that the game variety includes slots, fish games, and Bingo.

→ Consider playing Pizza Party if you’re looking to try out one of Ding Ding Ding’s in-house titles. It is the perfect Mexican slot, but deviates from the norm with its upbeat but modern background music.

Sportzino Casino in Ohio

At Sportzino, not only will you get sweepstakes casino games, but also social sports. However, we’ll focus on the former. You can play at least 100 games if you register with Sportzino, and the site’s welcome bonus gives you 170,000 Gold Coins and 7 Sweeps Coins.

The game collection at Sportzino Casino spans classic slots, Megaways, Hold and Win, and Jackpots. It’s quite impressive, ensuring you’ll find titles to play regardless of your preferences.

→ What’s the best game at this OH sweepstakes casino? Based on our experience, Billy Bob Boom by Booming Games is a nice title to try. It has an exciting bonus round that you can trigger randomly or activate using the Feature Play option.

Gambino Slot in Ohio

Gambino Slot is one of the best Ohio online casino sites for sweepstakes slots. The platform has all types of games with spinning reels you’ll need, from classics to jackpots, video slots, and options with bonus features. Moreover, the 100,000 GCs and 200 free spins signup offer is one of the best.

If you join Gambino Casino, you can get more free coins from the daily gifts and bonuses. Plus, as you play games, you get points for the tiered VIP program. Reach higher levels, and you’ll get even more bonuses.

→ A top game to try at Gambino Casino is License to Win by MrSlotty Play. The slot has a James Bond theme, which is something you don’t find often.

LuckyBird.io Casino in Ohio

If you pick LuckyBird.io as an OH player, you get access to a Provably Fair sweepstakes casino. The platform stands out from others as the innovative technology allows you to confirm the fairness of each game firsthand. Still, you don’t need to make any initial purchase, as you’ll get a 7-day welcome package of 5,000 GCs and 0.6 SCs.

The LuckyBird game library features all the top categories. You can spin slot reels, play table games, or enjoy exclusive Originals unavailable at other sweepstakes casinos.

→ A top game recommendation to consider is Coin Flip, an in-house title. As you can probably guess, it involves predicting the outcome of a coin flip — super simple.

Want to Bet Real Money? The Top 3 Land-Based Casinos in Ohio

Is online casino gambling legal in Ohio? If anyone asks you such a question, you now know that the answer is no. That said, you can still gamble on games with real money at land-based casinos.

Check out the top 3 locations you can visit below.

Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs in Columbus

Located in Columbus, Eldorado Gaming Scioto Down is a massive gambling establishment managed by Caesars Establishments. It covers up to 117,000 sq ft, although the space also includes racing tracks. If you visit this casino, you can play more than 1,800 games, and new ones are added quite frequently.

Love this casino! Always have a great time whether you win big or lose big.
Natasha Nichole, from Google Review

Address: 6000 S High St, Columbus, OH 43207
Phone Number: (614) 295-4700
Website: caesars.com/scioto-downs
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Review on Google: 4.0/5

Hard Rock Casino in Cincinnati

If you happen to be around Cincinnati, Hard Rock stands out as a must-visit gaming location. Walk into the casino floor at Hard Rock, and you’ll find no less than 1,600 games, including slots, table games, and others. One area that makes Hard Rock a top alternative for real money online casino Ohio players is the many promotions available.

Great Casino! They have lots of good machines to play that are very fun!
Erica North, from Google Review

Address: 1000 Broadway Street Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone Number: (513) 250-3150
Website: casino.hardrock.com/cincinnati
Opening Hours: 24/7
Review on Google: 3.9/5

Hollywood Casino in Toledo

In terms of game count, Hollywood Casino is the biggest in Ohio. How so? Well, the casino boasts 2,000 slots, 60 table games, and 20 live poker rooms. That’s much more than others. When at Hollywood Casino in Toledo, you can also enjoy fine dining at five top-notch restaurants.

Excellent Casino, plenty of Slot machines and Table games. I visit Hollywood Casino at least once a week.
Ilene Bess, from Google Map

Address: 1968 Miami St, Toledo, OH 43605
Phone Number: (419) 661-5200
Website: hollywoodcasinotoledo.com
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Review on Google: 4.0/5

How to Declare Taxable Winnings in Ohio?

You’ll pay a 4% withholding tax if you win up to $1,200 on slot machines or $5,000 on table games at a casino in Ohio. According to the Ohio Department of Taxation, the casino is entitled to remove the tax before paying.

However, you’ll still get form W-2G from the casino to fill out. The form will feature the withheld amount so you can confirm first-hand. After completing the form, simply submit it and take your money.

Fact: Section R.C. 5747.063 of the Ohio gaming codes mandates casinos to deduct withholding tax before paying winnings.

Other Legal Gambling Activities in Ohio

Real money Ohio online casino sites may be unavailable, but you still have other gambling options. We’ve already mentioned sweepstakes gaming and land-based casino locations.

You can check out other legal gambling activities in The Buckeye State below:

Race betting: As an OH resident, you can legally wager on horse racing events held by licensed organizers. Both on-track parimutuel and off-track betting are permitted.
Online sports betting: Ohio legalized sports betting at the start of 2023. You can bet on sports events at licensed sportsbooks in the state.
Lottery: Ohio runs a state lottery organized by the Lottery Commission. So, participating in such games is entirely legal.
Charitable gaming: The Ohio Lottery Commission also regulates and approves Bingo and Raffle games for fundraising and charity purposes.

History of Gambling in Ohio

Can you play online casino in Ohio? The answer is no for real money gambling sites and yes for sweepstakes gaming platforms. However, has this always been the situation?

Let’s have a rundown of the gambling history in Ohio so you know how things have changed:

18th Century: Ohio enacts its first gambling laws, banning lotteries. Private organizations are established to enforce fines against illegal gambling.
1933: Ohio introduces a bill to legalize and regulate parimutuel betting on horse races.
1933: The Ohio State Racing Commission is established to oversee horse racing and parimutuel betting.
1973: Ohio launches its state lottery, which has continued to generate significant revenue for the state and provide financial relief.
1987: Ohio voters approve a constitutional amendment that permanently allocates lottery profits to state education funding.
2008: The Ohio Lottery Commission introduces Keno in bars and other establishments.
2009: Casinos: Article XV, Section 6 (c) is approved by 52% of voters, allowing the creation of four land-based casinos in Ohio’s major cities.
2009: The new gambling law legalizes casino gambling and sets the gambling age at 21+.
2011: The Casino Control Law (Revised Code Section 3772) is passed, establishing the Ohio Casino Control Commission.
2012: Licensed lottery retailers get permission to sell Keno tickets.
2018: The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PAPSA) paves the way for the possibility of legalized sports gambling in Ohio.
2021: The Ohio General Assembly passed House Bill 29, beginning the process of legalizing sports betting.
2023: Sports betting is officially legal in Ohio at retail and online sports books.

What’s Next for Ohio Online Casinos?

After the legalization of online sports betting, the question on everyone’s lips is, “When will online casino be legal in Ohio?” For now, there’s no concrete insight on whether real money online casinos will be approved soon.

In early 2024, there were reports that lawmakers were contemplating legalizing iGaming. Some experts in Ohio favor the development, as they believe it can help the state generate revenue.

Here’s a comment from Jim Kahler, Director of the Sport and Entertainment Management program at Cleveland State University:

If our lawmakers are looking for a new revenue stream, igaming is going to be it.
Jim Kahler

However, others are more concerned about the risk of gambling addiction if real money casinos become legal.

Below are the words of Derek Longmeier, Executive Director of the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio:

The more there are opportunities to gamble, the more Ohioans will gamble and more Ohioans will develop problems … . We would anticipate with iGaming that there would be further expansion and further problems as a result.
Derek Longmeier

With such differing opinions, it’ll take quite a battle to reach a resolution. No, remains the answer to the question, “Is online casino legal in Ohio?” — things may stay this way for a long while.

So, Will You Bet From Ohio Tonight?

From our guide, you know your options if you want to play Ohio online casino games or gamble for real money. If you prefer sweepstakes gaming, Chances Casino, Ding Ding Ding, Sportzino, Gambino, and LuckyBird.io are perfect.

Meanwhile, for real money gambling, you have casinos in Toledo, Cincinnati, and Columbus to visit. It’s essential to follow our recommendations so you can play safely without any legal issues.

Browse the TrustnPlay website for more key information on real money gambling in the US, such as our reliable online casino reviews page.