Online gambling is growing in popularity in the US, with more states now legalizing online sports betting and casinos. In Ohio, online sports betting has now been legalized, although the first sportsbooks aren’t expected to launch until 2023. Legal online sportsbooks will give Ohio bettors a way to place real money wagers on all live sporting events from around the world. Currently, this is the only way to enjoy online gambling in Ohio, as online casinos still aren’t permitted.
There is an alternative option, though, with many OH residents choosing to play at sweepstake casinos. A sweepstakes casino offers the chance to play real casino games online, with games like roulette, slots, and poker. Unlike a real online casino, you won’t be risking your own money to play. Instead, you can collect coins and use them to enjoy all of the games.
As well as enjoying casino games for free, sweepstake sites let you purchase gold coins that can be used to play games for real prizes. You can compete with your friends and against other players online for the best scores, taking part in tournaments and sharing your wins.
Online Sports Betting in Ohio
By January 1, 2023, legal online gambling will be available in Ohio. Three days before Christmas, in late December 2021, Governor Mike DeWine approved House Bill 29 into law. This new bill includes provisions for legal sports betting, allowing sportsbooks to launch in the state. The Ohio Casino Control Commission on June 1 confirmed that all operators must begin operations at the same time, as required by the sports betting law.
This Casino Control Commission will be licensing and regulating all sportsbooks within Ohio, and you’ll need to check that any site is licensed before you can sign up and bet. This includes both retail and online sportsbooks, as well as betting terminals. Licenses are currently being processed, and the Commission believes that the first sports bets will be placed before the new year.
The legalization of sports betting will serve as a kind of test for Ohio’s internet gambling laws and management. As of right now, there haven’t been any bills for online casinos or poker proposed in the Ohio House. However, this could change in the future. As we’ve seen in other states, legal sports betting has soon been followed by online casinos.
The advantage of approving these sites is that many Ohio residents were already playing at offshore sites, meaning the state has missed out on potential tax revenue. Now that the market is legalized and regulated, the state government gets a piece of the pie, and gamblers are able to play at safe sites. Sportsbooks in Ohio will offer markets on all major sports, including the NFL.
Will Online Casinos be Legalised in Ohio?
Currently, there are no plans by Ohio legislators to bring legal online casinos to the Buckeye State. This may change in the future, however, and it’s difficult to rule out. In the meantime, sweepstake casinos and land-based casinos remain the only option available to players who want to enjoy games like blackjack, roulette, and slots.
If online casinos are legalized, players will most likely have to wait a year for licenses to be approved, just as with sports betting. Once up and running, all of the top sites will likely be able to play, and users will be able to sign up and make deposits using their preferred payment method. The legal age for gambling in Ohio is 21 years old. Anyone creating an online gambling account will need to verify their age by uploading a copy of their ID before they can play.
