Online Casinos in Ohio – Legal in 2024?
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Shawn West
- November 8, 2024
While it’s true that, as of January 2023, Ohioans can partake in online sports betting with local operators, the same cannot be said for casino enthusiasts.
Nonetheless, slot machines, poker tables, roulette wheels, blackjack tables and everything else that casinos have to offer are available on your computer or phone. Online casinos have everything you’d find at the world’s top casinos, with the convenience of being able to play the games from anywhere.
Our guide to online gaming in Ohio will give you all the information you need to begin playing online casino games and winning real money. We’ve looked at dozens of different online betting sites to see which ones are the best ones to take your gambling dollar.
In this guide, we’ll evaluate the online casino gaming options on several important factors and tell you our rankings for the top 10 real money online casinos in Ohio for 2024. We’ll also break down the top sites in detail to show what, specifically, put them on the list. And we’ll give an overview of the current state of online gambling in Ohio, where it’s going in the future, and why offshore sportsbooks are the safest bet for residents of Ohio.
| SPORTSBOOK | TRUST SCORE | ONLINE SINCE | Expert Review | BONUS | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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2001
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100% Free Play
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1996
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$500 Cash Bonus
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2002
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55% Cash Bonus
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1996
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$1,000 Cash Bonus
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2001
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$250 Free Bet
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1994
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30% Cash Bonus
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Best Ohio Online Casinos in 2024
After a meticulous, comprehensive review of all the best offshore casinos that are available to players in Ohio, we’ve determined the following ranking of the top 10 online casino betting sites in Ohio.
- BookMaker – Best overall online casino in Ohio
- Heritage Sports – Pays out in full and on time
- BetOnline – 24/7 customer service is the best in Ohio
- BetAnySports – Hundreds of games, including live dealer section
- JustBet – Caters to Ohio gamblers of all experience levels
- BetUS – Biggest welcome bonuses in the state
- WagerWeb – Offers casino rebates
- Everygame – Longest-running and most dependable online casino
The Best Ohio Online Casinos Compared
Here is a closer look at what our choices for the best Ohio casino sites do well.
1. Top Online Casino for Residents of OH: BookMaker
Key Features
- Welcomes gamblers of all risk and experience levels
- Has high limits and low minimums
There are a number of outstanding casino sites in Ohio, but Bookmaker.eu earned the top spot in our rankings. Its casino has a variety of RTP slots and table games. It also has welcome bonuses up to $500 and reload bonuses that could be as high as $2,500 for loyal customers.
BookMaker is known for being open to gamblers of all levels, from heavy-betting, high-rolling professionals to brand-new recreational gamblers. Everyone is automatically enrolled in their generous loyalty program, which credits sportsbook and casino activity and allows you to redeem points for cash with no rollover requirement. And it’s designed so that all customers will be able to earn the rewards, not just the heavy spenders.
BookMaker offers high limits for the pros and low minimum bets for people who are more risk averse. The software is easy to use, even for rookies.
2. VIP Service for Bettors in OH: Heritage Sports
Key Features
- Cash back rebate for casino players
- Easy-to-use software
Heritage Sports features a very easy-to-use interface, making it an ideal spot for first-time gamblers. The mobile site is just as simple to navigate. Their casino seems to specialize in slots. They have the classic 3-reel, 1-line slots as well as more modern 5-reel, 9-line games, and even some 3D games.
It also offers 27 different online video poker games as well as blackjack, roulette, baccarat and a live dealer casino. Along with other types of promos, Heritage Sports offers casino rebates on players’ net losses.
Casino players also qualify for a cash rebate with no rollover requirements. Heritage Sports also has a strong sportsbook with one of the best live betting platforms in the industry and reduced juice.
3. Best Variety of Casino Games: BetOnline
Key Features
- Sign-up bonuses and reload bonuses are impressive
- Huge variety of casino games
BetOnline has more games than any other site in Ohio. There are 150 different versions of slots and 20 options for online blackjack. Overall, there are about 500 different options in BetOnline’s casino library.
BetOnline offers two separate live dealer casinos, which they call Red and Black. The Red casino features blackjack, roulette, baccarat and Super 6. The Black offers baccarat, roulette, blackjack and Hold’em. There’s also a poker room, a sportsbook and more.
They also offer a generous sign-up bonus of 100 free spins. There’s also reload bonuses of up to $250 and even more if you use Bitcoin. Additionally, there is a nice selection of promo codes at BetOnline that users can take advantage of.
4. Hundreds of Casino Games Available: BetAnySports
Key Features
- Several different casino platforms in one location
- Three live dealer casino platforms
BetAnySports is best known for offering value in the sportsbook, with reduced juice lines and low house edges. The casino doesn’t give the impression of a discount operation by any means, but there is a rebate program and several other promos to enjoy and players can always expect tons of value.
BetAnySports features several different casino platforms: 3D Casino, Classic Casino, Diamond Casino, Fortune Casino, Horizon Casino and Star Casino offer hundreds of different online casino games. There are also three different live dealer sections: Lucky Dealer Live, Euro Live and Vegas Live.
New gamblers may be a bit overwhelmed as they search the various platforms to find a specific game, but once they figure out the lay of the land, they’ll be able to appreciate the variety.
Top Real Money Online Casinos for Ohio: Comparison
Several key factors went into determining our top 10 list. Among the different areas where we graded the top casino sites in Ohio were:
- Menu of casino games available
- Quality of software running the games
- How easy the site was to navigate
- Size of betting limits
- Bonuses and other promotions
- Site reputation and security
- Customer service
How to Compare the Best Ohio Online Casinos
Here’s a more in-depth look at the factors we evaluated.
Range of Games
There are several different categories of popular casino games, and each category has dozens of different variations and play options, as well. Some of the most popular games are
- Online slot machines: Video slots, 3D slots, progressive jackpots
- Poker: Virtual table poker and video poker
- Table games: Blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat
- Live dealer games: Table games, poker
- Specialty games: Keno, bingo
- Virtual Sports
Software
Each software company has its own reputation for reliability. You may not recognize the software provider by name—and there’s no reason you need to. However, the quality of the software will directly impact your playing experience. Games should play smoothly, without glitches, delays, or other problems. Some games have high-quality, stylish interfaces, while others are more bare-bones. The appearance of the game is largely up to your own personal preference.
Betting Limits
Most online casinos in Ohio let you bet as little as a dollar, and several of the sites in our Top 10 have free casinos, so you can practice playing the games without risk before you put up any of your own money. The maximum bet amount has a wide range from site to site. The lowest is about $250, and limits can go up to $5,000. The best sites offer tables with different levels of limits, so you can choose the risk level that best suits you.
VIP Tables
Some online casinos have VIP tables that are reserved for their best customers. That way, they’ll know they have a seat available for them, and they’ll be playing with other players that they’re comfortable with. It’s one of several perks that VIP members qualify for after they build a history of loyal gambling with one site.
Ohio Casinos – Bonuses
Most online casinos offer a variety of generous bonuses to attract you as a new customer and to keep you loyally playing on their site after you sign up. Many of these online bonuses require you to enter a promotional code, although usually, the site will tell you the current code in the description of the bonus available. Some popular types of player bonuses include;
- Sign-up bonus: Also known as a welcome bonus. This is available only to new users. The most common sign-up bonuses are deposit bonuses, where a site will match all or a portion of your initial deposit with bonus money.
- Free plays: Sometimes called bet insurance or a risk-free bet. If you lose, the site will refund the money you bet in the form of free bet credits.
- Reload bonus: Similar to a sign-up bonus but for existing customers. You get the bonus when you make a new deposit or “reload” funds into your account
- Promotions: A variety of different types of offers, usually aimed at existing customers
- Loyalty program: Usually points-based, you can earn points with your activity on the site and redeem them for cash or other rewards
- Rebate and cashback: The site refunds back some of what you spent gambling
Mobile Experience
Most casino gambling is now done on smartphones, tablets, or other mobile devices, rather than on a computer. Most online sportsbooks offer some type of casino app or mobile-optimized interface.
Some are bare-bones versions of the full site, but the best online casino sites offer a mobile experience that’s every bit as engaging as the original site.
The mobile platform should have all the same options and be easy to navigate without too many clicks. Many casinos offer dedicated apps for mobile devices, while others have a mobile site available through your device’s internet browser.
What games can you play with real money at online casinos in Ohio?
You can expect a wide selection of games available at the best online casino sites in Ohio. Some of the most popular games are blackjack, roulette, craps, and baccarat. Each is usually available in several different styles, and most sites offer both video versions of the games, as well as live dealer versions.
Slots
Online slots best emulate the experience of a live casino. It’s a game of chance where players spin a wheel labeled with random symbols and try to match the correct symbols to win cash. There are a dazzling number of variations on slot machines, and online casinos usually offer a huge selection as well, including 3D slots, multiple reels, and progressive jackpots.
Blackjack
This is the most widely played table strategy game in the world. While there are usually multiple players at the table, you are competing against the dealer to try to hit the best combination of cards.
Roulette
This game of chance involves trying to figure out where a ball will land on a spinning wheel. Players can place bets on individual numbers, ranges of numbers, odds, or even, high/low numbers or choose the color of the landing space.
Baccarat
Baccarat is a casino table game matching two people—the “banker” and the “player”. Each round has three outcomes: the banker could have the higher-value hand, the player could win, or there could be a tie.
Live Casino
A live casino is just what the name implies. Instead of using random number generators, as many video versions of casino games do, it has an actual live dealer. Players see a replica of an actual casino and have the opportunity to earn real money.
Online Sports Betting
Online sports betting is quite different than online casino gambling, but it can be a fun way to take a break from your favorite games. Each of the gambling sites that we review are offshore sportsbooks, which means that they can offer legal online sports wagering with exciting bonuses.
Playing Live Dealer Games at Ohio Casinos Online
Live dealer games allow you to have some human contact. You will be connected with an actual casino dealer via live video so you can have a closer simulation of an actual physical casino. There will be other players, and you can interact with the dealer and other players at the table.
Popular live dealer games include blackjack, roulette, and baccarat.
Payment Methods Available at Ohio Online Casinos
The best online gambling sites in Ohio offer a wide variety of payment methods, both for funding your account and for collecting your winnings.
Crypto at Casinos
The casino sites in our top 10 are all offshore sportsbooks. That means that money transacted with them will need to cross national borders. That can make using bank credit cards and debit cards difficult. There may be fees and delays in the process.
Cryptocurrency is designed to circumvent that problem, as it flows seamlessly across national borders, so Bitcoin casinos are becoming more popular. Some popular crypto payment methods include Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum and Tether, and many casino sites will offer bonuses or special perks to crypto users.
You can also get special online bonuses for betting with Bitcoin at some sites.
eWallets at Casinos
eWallets are almost as popular as cryptocurrency. Transactions are faster than bank cards, and there are fewer fees, if there are any fees at all. Popular eWallets include PayPal, Neteller and Skrill.
Traditional Payment Methods
You can also use the more traditional gambling payment methods. Bank transfers are one option, and so are debit/credit cards like Visa, MasterCard, or American Express. These options are straightforward but may not be as fast. There also may be additional fees associated with them, too, as the money needs to cross international borders to reach an offshore casino.
Land-Based Casinos in Ohio
There are several land-based casinos and racinos located in Ohio, some of which offer hotel rooms. Whether you want to stop in and check out the slots or stay the night, even play poker or see a show, you can do so here. Here’s the most popular casino options in the Buckeye State:
- Belterra Park Gaming & Entertainment Center: Located in Cincinnati, about four hours from Cleveland, Belterra Park offers a 48,000-square-foot gaming floor with a wide range of slots, video poker and table games like blackjack and roulette. It also features a racing facility with live thoroughbred racing in season, dining options and entertainment venues.
- Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park: Just outside Cleveland, this casino spans 200,000 square feet and offers over 2,300 slot machines, electronic table games and traditional table games like blackjack and craps. The venue also hosts live music performances and dining options, making it a lively spot for gaming and entertainment.
- Hollywood Casino Columbus: Situated in Columbus, about a two-hour drive from Cleveland, this casino covers 160,000 square feet, featuring 2,200 slot machines and 70 table games, including blackjack, craps and roulette. The casino also offers a variety of dining choices and regular live entertainment.
- JACK Cleveland Casino: As Ohio’s first full-service casino, located in downtown Cleveland, JACK Cleveland spans 96,000 square feet. It offers a mix of slots, video poker and table games, along with dining options ranging from casual to fine dining. Regular events and live entertainment add to the vibrant atmosphere.
- JACK Thistledown Racino: Located in North Randall, just outside Cleveland, this racino features a 57,000-square-foot gaming floor with over 1,000 video lottery terminals and electronic table games. The venue includes a thoroughbred racetrack for live horse racing during the season, along with casual dining options.
- MGM Northfield Park: This casino, near Cleveland, boasts a large 200,000-square-foot gaming floor with over 2,300 slots, 100 table games and a high-limit VIP area. MGM Northfield Park offers diverse dining options and hosts live entertainment, making it a popular choice for gaming and leisure.
How To Play at Real Money Online Casinos in Ohio
Online casino sites make it easy and fast to open a new account and start playing. We walk you through the process below.
Step 1: Create an Account
Go to the website of the casino you’ve chosen and click “Sign Up” to create a new account. Enter a username, password, email and any other personal information requested.
Step 2: Verify Your Identity
Some sites require new players to verify their identity before depositing funds. It may involve a two-step process of sending a code to your phone.
Step 3: Deposit Funds
After you’ve created your account, you need to make a deposit and claim your welcome bonus. Choose your deposit method from the list of payment options provided. Be sure to enter the promotion code to qualify for your welcome bonus money, if one is required.
Step 4: Start Playing
That’s it. Now it’s time to play and win some money. Choose the game you want to play and click ’Play Now’ to get started!
The Best Online Casinos in Ohio – Conclusion
Our experts came up with their choices for the 10 best casino and poker sites in Ohio. BookMaker is our choice for the best overall, followed by Heritage Sports, BetOnline, and BetAnySports. But we encourage you to try a number of them and decide which is the one that best fits your individual needs and preferences.
Ohio Betting Guides
Discover the comprehensive resources we’ve compiled to navigate the world of gaming and sports betting in Ohio. Whether you’re interested in online poker, exploring casino options in Cleveland, or diving deep into horse racing, our guides cover every facet of the Buckeye State’s betting scene.
FAQs – Legal Status of Online Casinos in OH
Can I bet online in Ohio?
You can bet online as a resident of Ohio State with the use of offshore sportsbooks and offshore casinos. For some online betting markets (including legal sports betting and horse race betting), you can use a state-regulated online sportsbook.
Are online casinos legal in Ohio?
Online casinos are not legal in Ohio. However, offshore sportsbooks are not under the jurisdiction of Ohio law or U.S. federal regulation. So it is perfectly legal for Ohioans to use those sites to wager on casino games.
What online casinos can I play in Ohio?
Under Ohio’s online gambling laws, you can only legally gamble on casino-style games with offshore sites or offshore mobile apps. Fortunately, these online casinos often offer a better betting experience in comparison to a traditional entertainment venue. Because online gaming is more convenient and offshore sites offer a larger selection of games, many bettors prefer using online betting sites over commercial casinos.
How old do I need to be to play at Ohio casinos?
The legal gambling age in Ohio is 18. You have to be at least 18 years old to play games at online casino operators, too.
Some commercial casinos may require you to be at least 21 to enter since they serve alcoholic beverages.
What is the most legitimate online casino?
All of our top-rated online casinos are legitimate, safe and convenient. If our experts had to pick the single best online casino, they would have to say Bookmaker.eu is the most legitimate.
What online casinos pay out real cash?
All of the top 10 online casinos for Ohio bettors pay out real cash. The payout sizes are comparable (if not larger) than what you would see at a land-based casino and they often offer better betting odds. Additionally, these top 10 casinos all have your favorite casino games available, in addition to allowing you to bet on sports and other niche markets.
What app can I gamble on in Ohio?
You can use any offshore mobile gambling app or mobile-optimized offshore sites to gamble on casino-style games or for other types of gambling in Ohio. You can also use regulated mobile apps to enjoy Ohio sports betting or to play Daily Fantasy Sports on the go due to the state’s sports betting laws.
