Ohio Online Poker Laws
Once a staunch anti-gambling regime, Ohio has changed its tune over the last decade with rapid legalization and enhancement of gambling options across the state.
The first appearance of legal gambling following the lifting of outright bans throughout the state in the 1800s was in 1933 when horse racing betting became legalized. That remained Ohioans sole option for legal gambling for decades until the Ohio lottery, including scratch-off games, draws and VLT, were legalized in 1973.
A separate amendment two years later in 1975 made charitable gambling, including bingo and raffles legal.
It would be another three decades before Ohio gambling laws were laxed again. In 2009 a referendum was held and approved the construction of four commercial casinos in the state.
Is Online Poker Legal in Ohio?
Online poker falls into a grey are in Ohio. Under Ohio’s gaming laws, the words ‘online’ and ‘internet’ are not found. There may not be any specific laws pertaining to online gambling but some gambling laws on the books in Ohio may be interpreted to cover online gambling and online poker. Despite this, several offshore online poker sites allow Ohio residents to play on their sites.
It’s also important to note that Ohio authorities have never arrested any Ohio residents solely on charges of gambling online.