Is online poker legal in Ohio? - Current status
Online poker is not legal in Ohio, with The Buckeye State housing no state-regulated poker sites.
Ohio legalized online sports betting in 2023, but poker was not a part of that legalization.
This means that actual-money poker online websites are not allowed to operate in the state.
Ohio law does not specifically address online poker but contains a general prohibition on games of chance conducted for profit unless they are conducted in a manner specifically permitted under the law.
Right now, there is no active legislation seeking to legalize online poker in the state.
1. Ohio sweepstakes poker sites - Legal alternatives
Ohio players can enjoy poker legally via sweepstakes-based poker sites. These sites follow federal sweepstakes laws instead of state gambling laws.
These sites offer a legal alternative to conventional online poker in Ohio. Since these are not directly operating with real money, users can play at the sites without breaching Ohio gambling law.
Unlike the unlicensed offshore sites, sweepstakes poker sites comply with US laws to guarantee fair play and trusted banking, while still providing a fun poker environment.
Top sweepstakes poker sites in Ohio:
ClubWPT – Backed by the World Poker Tour (WPT), offering tournaments and Sit & Gos.
Global Poker – A popular sweepstakes poker site with cash games and competitive tournaments.
These sites provide secure, legal gameplay, avoiding the risks of unregulated offshore sites.
They use Gold Coins to play money games and Sweeps Coins, which can be redeemed for real-money prizes.
Read our guide on online casinos Ohio for more details on how to access these platforms.
2. Live poker rooms Ohio - Legal in-person play
For those who prefer live poker, Ohio has several casino-based poker rooms where players can compete in cash games and tournaments:
Hard Rock Cincinnati
Hollywood Casino Columbus & Toledo
JACK Cleveland Casino
Additionally, Ohio has private poker clubs, which operate in a legal gray area by charging membership fees instead of rake.
Akron: River Room Poker Club
Beavercreek: The Ruggles Club Dayton
Cincinnati: The Action Factory Social Club
Columbus: Shark Tank Poker Club
Columbus: UnderGround Poker Club
Coolville: Backwoods Poker Club
Dayton: Mad River Poker Club
Hilliard: Deep Stack Poker & Card Room
Holland: Deep Stax
Marion: One Eyed Jack’s Poker Club
Ontario: Gemini Mansfield Poker Club
Oxford: New Gate Arena Poker Club
Springboro: King of Clubs
Steubenville: Viking Social Poker Club
Toledo: Empire Social Lounge
Toledo: The Reserve Poker Club
West Chester Township: Ruggles Blue Cincinnati
Before visiting, players should verify the legitimacy of these clubs to ensure safety and fair play.
Illegal Ohio online poker sites
The following offshore online poker sites accept Ohio players but are not licensed or regulated in the United States:
Illegal poker site | Details |
|---|---|
Ignition Poker | Operates offshore with no legal protections; frequent withdrawal delays. |
Bovada Poker | Uses a non-U.S. license, and lacks transparency in rake structure & fees. |
BetOnline Poker | Reports of frozen accounts & slow cashouts; no regulatory oversight. |
Everygame Poker | No U.S. licensing; disputed payout claims and unclear security measures. |
America’s Cardroom (ACR) | High bot activity & collusion concerns; unregulated payment processing. |
SportsBetting.ag Poker | Offshore-based; no fraud protection for players. |
BlackChip Poker | Limited customer service; delayed or refused withdrawals. |
CoinPoker | Uses cryptocurrency only; no legal oversight or fair play guarantees. |
Juicy Stakes Poker | No U.S. license; history of questionable payout practices. |
Why you should avoid these sites:
No player protections – If your account is frozen, or funds are held from you, there’s nothing to back you up.
Security risks – Poor encryption process can result in exposure of personal and financial information.
Unfair gameplay – Ample reports of bots, collusion, and rigged games in poker.
Cashout problems - Offshore sites could refuse withdrawals or payout from bonuses without a reason, even if players could deposit without any issues.
For legal and secure online poker in Ohio, opt for sweepstakes poker sites like ClubWPT and Global Poker. These sites operate under U.S. federal laws and provide safe payouts.
For a legal and safe alternative, Ohio players can join sweepstakes poker sites such as Global Poker and ClubWPT to play.
Legislative updates on online poker in Ohio
Ohio lawmakers have yet to legalize online poker, and there is no active legislation in the works today.
Unlike sports betting, legalized in 2021 and launched earlier this year, poker and other online casino games have struggled to gain traction amid longstanding fears about the spread of gambling.
However, a wave seems to be building for iGaming legislation.
A bipartisan committee studied the possible fiscal benefits of online poker and casinos in 2024 and found that regulating them could bring in millions of dollars in tax revenue, as well as provide more consumer protections than unregulated offshore sites.
Key legislative milestones:
Neighboring states Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia already have regulated online poker, further cementing the odds for Ohio to legalize online poker as well.
If approved, the Ohio Casino Control Commission would license and regulate it.
Will online poker be legal in Ohio?
There is no official timeline, but the likelihood of Ohio legalizing online poker is growing.
The state has already legalized online sports betting and surrounding states have seen successful iGaming launches making online poker a very logical next step.
The factors that are taken into account to determine the legalization are:
The success of sports betting ($779M in Year 1 revenue).
Growing support among lawmakers post 2024 iGaming study.
The introduction of SB.312 has the potential to open up iCasino in the state.
Realistically, Ohio could regulate online poker in the next few years if pressure mounts from the public and industry.
Until then, players will have to rely on sweepstakes poker sites such as ClubWPT and Global Poker or travel to neighboring states that offer legal online poker.
What kind of online poker games can I play?
Ohio players have access to a variety of poker games through sweepstakes poker sites (legal), live poker rooms in casinos, and offshore sites (not recommended).
Below is a breakdown of the most popular poker variants available.
Poker Game | Description | Where to Play |
|---|---|---|
No-Limit Texas Hold’em (NLH) | Each player gets two hole cards, and five community cards are dealt. Bet any amount at any time. The most popular and widely played poker game. | Sweepstakes sites, live casinos |
Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO) | Similar to Texas Hold’em but with four-hole cards. Players must use exactly two hole cards and three community cards to make their best hand. Pots tend to be bigger due to more hand possibilities. | Sweepstakes sites, live casinos |
Omaha Hi-Lo (O8) | A split-pot game where the highest hand and the lowest qualifying hand (five different cards below 8) split the pot. | Sweepstakes sites, live casinos |
Crazy Pineapple | Like Texas Hold’em, but players start with three-hole cards and must discard one after the flop. This adds more strategy to the game. | Sweepstakes sites |
Jackpot Sit & Gos (Spin & Gos) | A fast-paced, three-player tournament where a random prize pool multiplier determines the payout. Quick and exciting for players looking for short games. | Sweepstakes sites |
Seven-Card Stud | Unlike Hold’em or Omaha, no community cards are used. Players get seven individual cards, three face down and four face up, and must make the best five-card hand. | Live casinos (occasionally) |
Sweepstakes poker sites (ClubWPT & Global Poker)
These legal platforms provide:
No-Limit Texas Hold’em (NLH) – The most popular format for cash games and tournaments.
Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO) – More action with four-hole cards instead of two.
Omaha Hi-Lo (O8) – A split-pot game with high and low hand winners.
Crazy Pineapple – Texas Hold’em with an extra hole card, discarded after the flop.
Jackpot Sit & Gos (Spin & Gos) – Quick three-player tournaments with random prize pools.
Live poker rooms (Ohio casinos)
Casinos like Hollywood Casino Columbus, JACK Cleveland Casino, and Hard Rock Cincinnati offer:
No-Limit & Limit Texas Hold’em
Pot-Limit Omaha & Omaha Hi-Lo
Responsible gambling with Ohio online poker sites
Playing online poker should be fun and controlled. To gamble responsibly, follow these key guidelines:
✅ Set a budget before playing – Never wager more than you can afford to lose.
✅ Use time-tracking tools – Avoid excessive play sessions.
✅ Avoid emotional betting – Don’t chase losses or play under stress.
✅ Know when to stop – Take breaks and recognize unhealthy patterns.
Ohio offers several responsible gambling resources:
National Problem Gambling Helpline – 1-800-522-4700
Sweepstakes poker sites like ClubWPT and Global Poker provide safe, regulated alternatives to real-money gambling. If gambling affects your daily life, seek help early to maintain control and play responsibly.
Playing online poker should be fun and controlled. To gamble responsibly, follow these key guidelines: