Online Poker Ohio – Is It Legal? Get $5,000+ at the Best Real Money OH Poker Sites

The top online poker Ohio sites help make this one of the best states for poker in the nation. They add even more variety to the already booming live poker scene. Plus, they come with unique games, frequent tournaments, and large bonuses. Here, we will cover all of the best online poker rooms in The Buckeye State. We’ll also analyze the current real money gambling laws and even check out the biggest Ohio poker clubs. Welcome to the complete Guide to Online Poker: Ohio.

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The Best Online Poker Real Money Ohio Sites

You have your pick of the best US-friendly online poker sites in Ohio. These all accept real money bets and offer cash games, tournaments, sit & go’s, and more. For the very best online poker Ohio experience, we recommend the following:

1. BetOnline – The best online poker site for players in Ohio
2. Bovada – Known for its loose online poker tables and large bonuses
3. Everygame – Sizeable poker welcome bonus
4. Ignition – Weekly poker freerolls and regular series
5. Sportsbetting.ag – Premium mobile poker apps and weekly promotions

Top Online Poker Ohio Sites Reviewed

We know that choosing an online poker room is not always simple. There are many things to consider, and luckily, there are multiple options for online poker Ohio. Here, we wanted to take some time and better present the top sites. This way, you can get a quick tour without having to register yourself.

1. BetOnline – The Overall Best Site for Online Poker Ohio

BetOnline is a premium online poker site that has everything required for the perfect gaming experience. The site has been recently updated, and so has the online poker platform. BetOnline uses proprietary software in order to give users the ideal online poker features.

It is the flagship skin on the Chico Poker Network, which means that traffic is good throughout the week. However, the action really intensifies during the weekend, with large tournaments and more cash tables. The highlight is the Sunday Majors Main Event with a guaranteed prize pool of $150,000. However, there are around 30 tournaments on this day alone, with buy-ins ranging from $5.50 to $215.

For something faster-paced, BetOnline is one of the best online poker sites Ohio for Sit & Go tournaments. It hosts a special type that is hyper turbo and only played with three players. Before the game starts, the prize pool is determined randomly and can go up to $1,000,000.

As for the competition, BetOnline Poker is available throughout the nation, not just in Ohio. It caters mostly to casual players, so you will find loads of fish at the tables. The promotions help keep the action loose, with new players receiving a fairly good welcome package.

2. Bovada – The Softest Competition Out of the Best Ohio Online Poker Sites

Bovada is easily one of the most popular brands for online poker Ohio. It launched in 2011 with the backing of Bodog, another renowned poker operator in the US. Now, Bovada Poker uses the latest software developed in-house. It focuses on casual online poker, giving players special features to make sure that sharks are discouraged from playing here.

Quick seating and anonymous tables help create the ideal online poker environment for the majority of players. Advanced players can’t track their opponents, take notes, and develop an advantage in the long run. Throw in some large bonuses and you have the best online poker real money site in Ohio with fun games.

It isn’t a surprise then to see that Bovada has the best traffic for Ohio online poker. It is on the PaiWangLuo Network, previously known as Bodog Poker. This is the largest poker network in the US and it averages around 1,000 cash game players. That means a lot of action with most players being beginners.

The bonuses we mentioned also play a role in the casual playstyle on the network. Players can claim a sizeable poker bonus as the welcome package.  Your real money online poker Ohio action will earn you Rewards Points within the Bovada loyalty program.

3. Everygame – Largest Ohio Online Poker Bonus

Previously known as Intertops, Everygame takes the 5th spot in our list of the best online poker sites in Ohio. The famous operator recently went through a major rebranding process. As of December 1st, 2021, Intertops is known as Everygame, but frequent players will easily recognize the design. Whatever you want to call it, this Curacao-licensed gambling site has it all, including casino, poker and sports betting for Ohioans.

Everygame Poker makes a great first impression thanks to its fairly good welcome bonus. A  poker bonus will be activated right away. Ohio online poker depositors receive a ticket to the Depositor Freeroll in the following month for the chance to win extra cash. Check out the other Everygame bonus codes for additional rewards.

As for the poker action, Everygame mostly offers games for Texas Hold’em. The majority of active tables are for low stakes and the traffic picks up a lot during the weekend. As for tournaments, there are standard events every week and special series from time to time. Daily freerolls award tickets for Sit & Go satellites, where players can win entries to the weekly $10,000 GTD Sunday Sundowner.

4. Ignition – Best Online Poker Site Ohio for Tournaments

When it comes to tournaments, Ignition Poker definitely stands out as one of the best sites. It has something for all types of players, including a $2,500 in weekly freeroll. Yes, that is a single freeroll tournament with a prize pool of $2,500. It takes place every Thursday at 9:05 PM ET. Players just need to be at least Chrome tier in the loyalty program to take part. This is just the second level and only requires 2,500 lifetime miles.

There are also other freerolls worth mentioning. Players who deposit using Bitcoin will receive a free entry to the weekly $2,5000 Bitcoin Depositor’s Freeroll. It takes place on Sunday and users can claim it every week.

The online poker tournament schedule at Ignition continues with multiple series. The Super Millions Poker Open is the biggest series ever hosted on the network. It has $8,000,000 in guaranteed prizes across a total of 150 events. Buy-ins range from $5.50 to $1,055. The Main Event has a massive pool of $350,000 on a buy-in of $425+25. Other series worth checking out are the Black Diamond Poker Open, the Golden Spade Poker Open, and the Festival on Felt.

Keep in mind that these are in addition to the regular Ohio online poker tournaments that Ignition hosts. You also have normal Sit & Go tournaments and jackpot S&G where you can win up to 1,000x your buy-in. To help you get ready for the action, Ignition offers a welcome package and other bonus codes.

5. Sportsbetting – The Best Ohio Online Poker Promotions

Sportsbetting.ag is not just about sports, as the name would suggest. The famous brand also offers casino games and a full-fledged online poker room. Sportsbetting Poker is part of the Chico Network, so traffic will not be an issue. It also comes with some of the best bonuses and promotions for online poker in Ohio.

Starting things up is a well set up poker bonus as a welcome package. It only requires a minimum deposit of $50 and it is released in increments of $5 in cash for every $50 in rake. Other Sportsbetting.ag promo codes can unlock even more bonuses.

The promotions continue with a Bad Beat Jackpot and a Fast Fold Bad Beat Jackpot. These are awarded to the tune of $50,000 several times a month. Some jackpots can even exceed $150,000 before someone claims them. Sportsbetting.ag will also host special promotional campaigns on occasion. These can consist of extra freerolls and extra tournaments. Right now, you can play for $25,000 in daily freerolls for the entire month.

The cashier is another highlight at Sportsbetting.ag. It is secure and offers multiple payment methods. You can use Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Money Orders, bank wire transfers, and other methods to add funds. After enjoying online poker for money Ohio, you can withdraw your winnings with ease. Sportsbetting offers fast payouts that can take just 24 hours.

More on gambling in Ohio…

Learn about all types of online gambling in Ohio in our expert guides below:

• Ohio sports betting
• Ohio real money online casinos
• Ohio online gambling
• Ohio Sports Betting apps
• Ohio horse racing

Online Poker Real Money Ohio – The Top Sites Compared

The top Ohio online poker sites definitely have some similarities. Each one also stands out with something unique. The following table allows you to easily compare poker variety, bonuses, and tournaments.

Is Online Poker Legal in Ohio?

There are no legal, state-licensed real money online poker sites in Ohio. The state hasn’t showed any interest in legalizing and regulating poker online. This is despite poker in Ohio having one of the largest followings in the nation. So, while legal online poker Ohio sites are not on the horizon, offshore poker sites are quite popular. These create the gray market in the state and give residents the freedom to join nation-wide networks.

Offshore sites are generally licensed in other jurisdictions, such as Panama and Curacao. We strongly recommend the ones that we have thoroughly reviewed, since these are safe, secure, and reliable. Here, you can deposit real money and play with players throughout the US. You can also cash out your winnings at any time, with no hassle whatsoever. The top offshore sites basically offer the best online poker legal in Ohio.

Video Poker

Video poker is a different form of poker. It is generally found in land-based casinos and at online casinos in Ohio. Video poker games share some similarities with Five Card Draw, but you are playing against the house and not against other players. The goal here is to get the strongest hand possible. Payouts are offered based on the strength of the hand at the end of the round.

Video poker is available at the best online casinos in multiple forms. You can usually find the popular variants, such as Deuces Wild, Jacks or Better, Aces and Faces, and Jokers Wild. Some options allow players to have up to 25 hands at the same time.

Casual Poker

There are quite a few Ohio poker clubs where you can play the game for real money with other people. If you are interested in casual poker, you can even host games at home. As long as you don’t take any rake or charge people to play, home games are completely legal. Casual poker is a great game to play with friends.

You can even practice at online poker Ohio sites. BetOnline Poker is perfect for casual gaming. You can register and select the Play Money tab to play for free. The best part is that you get the full experience, with real players that are also using play money. This maintains a somewhat competitive aspect but everything is definitely more casual than when betting cash.

Ohio Poker Laws

According to Ohio poker laws, poker is classified as a game of chance. As a result, it is only legal in licensed casinos. There are several casino establishments in the state, so poker is not that hard to find if you are in the big metropolitan areas. Land-based casinos in Ohio became legal after the Casino Control Act of 2009. The first establishments went live in 2012.

One interesting mention in Section 2915 of the Ohio state code is that home games are legal at any stake if the host doesn’t charge a rake. This has resulted in Ohio poker clubs being available throughout the state. Instead of rake, they require an annual membership and an entry fee. So, new customers must purchase a membership the first time they join, and then pay the fee to get in every time.

The Ohio legal gambling age is of 21 for sports betting and casino gaming. This includes live poker. For bingo, players just need to be 16 years or older. The minimum age limit for keno, horse racing, and state lottery is of 18.

Online Poker Guides State by State

Ohio Poker – Live and in Person

If you are interested in live poker in Ohio, there are multiple establishments where you can play. Most of them are located in casinos around Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Toledo. Private clubs that require membership make Ohio live poker accessible in some of the smaller cities as well. No limit Texas Hold’em is generally the go-to poker game in Ohio, but some of the larger poker rooms also offer Omaha, and even HORSE games.

Operators often hold poker tournaments as well, especially at Cincinnati casinos. Buy-ins can range from $30 to over $550, depending on the event.

Learn more about the largest Ohio live poker rooms here:

Hollywood Casino Columbus

Address: 200 Georgesville Rd, Columbus, OH 43228

Hollywood Casino in Columbus hosts the largest poker offering in the state. It has 34 poker tables for cash games, starting from just $1/$2 and going up to $5/$10. While most tables are for no limit Texas Hold’em, you will also find action at $1/$2 pot limit Omaha Hi. The poker room even has $5/$10 HORSE tables. As for tournaments, there are daily events with buy-ins ranging from $100 to $550.

JACK Cleveland Casino

Address: 100 Public Square, Cleveland, OH 44113

Formerly known as Horseshoe Casino, JACK Casino in Cleveland has a full-fledged WSOP Poker Room. It has 30 poker tables and hosts poker action across Texas Hold’em, Omaha Hi, Omaha Hi/Lo, Razz, and Seven Card Stud. The weekly tournaments add even more excitement to the mix, while the competition level is medium.

Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati

Address: 1000 Broadway St, Cincinnati, OH 45202

The famous casino in Cincinnati, Ohio, has a 30-table poker room with auto shufflers, USB chargers, jackpots, and other features. Players here can enjoy both cash games and tournaments throughout the week. The range of buy-ins is accommodating for low and medium stakes players. Cash tables start from as little as $1/$2 and generally see plenty of casual visitors.

Hollywood Casino Toledo

Address: 1968 Miami St, Toledo, OH 43605

The Hollywood Casino in Toledo is operated by Penn Nation Gaming. It opened in 2012 and it has a casino floor of 125,000 square feet, In addition to the 2,000 slot machines and around 60 casino table games, players can also enjoy a poker room with 19 tables. The poker offering covers all of the popular variants and stakes for 24/7 action. The casino equipment is state-of-the-art to ensure a comfortable gaming experience. There is even a Hold’em Bad Beat jackpot that usually exceeds $100,000.

Shark Tank Poker Club

Address: 1510 Bethel Rd, Columbus, OH 43220

The Shark Tank Poker Club in Ohio has eight tables and is open every day, usually from 3pm to 4am. Cash games start from $1/$2 for no limit hold’em and can go up to $20/$40 for HORSE. There are usually two no limit hold’em poker tournaments every day with buy-ins between $50 and $115, depending on the day. Membership for the club costs $20 per year and there is a daily entry fee. No rake is taken at the tables.

Ohio Online Poker

While the game remains the same, there are definitely some differences between live poker and online poker Ohio. The best option often comes down to personal preference, but it is difficult to argue against the convenience that online gaming provides. With the best Ohio online poker sites, you can join a table within seconds. No need to get ready and travel to a poker room to play a few hands. You can even play from your phone from anywhere within the state.

Live poker in Ohio is more about the overall experience. Seating at a table, following the cards, checking out the opponents, and playing with the chips is what poker is all about for some players. The level of luxury in the large Ohio casinos also makes the gameplay comfortable. The downside is that all of this can also work against casual players, since big casinos often have more experienced opponents. Sharks can take advantage of newcomers.

This is where the best Ohio online poker sites pull ahead. With features like quick seating and anonymous tables, players don’t have to worry about sharks as much. You can still take notes on your opponents, but only for the current session at the table. Other online poker functions include all-in win percentages, hand trackers, and adaptable tables.

Here is a list of the top poker sites and their top poker tournaments:

Making Ohio Poker Online Deposits

In order to start your real money online poker Ohio experience, you will need to deposit funds to your account. The good news is that all of the top poker sites in Ohio accept a wide range of payment methods. You can learn more about them right here:

Playing Online Poker Ohio

So, after inspecting all of the top online poker Ohio sites, which is the best one for you? Well, this depends on what you are looking for. They are all worth checking out but some stand out in different aspects.

BetOnline is the best overall online poker room. It has plenty of cash games and often hosts tournament series. The software is also top-notch and allows for a smooth mobile poker experience. You basically can’t go wrong with this one.

For the best poker tournaments, Bovada really stands out from the list. The high traffic allows the operator to host weekly scheduled events and frequent series. Here, you can find Texas Hold’em tournaments every day, with buy-ins in the medium range. Guaranteed prize pools are generally set well and will often be worth more than the amount collected from buy-ins. The Monthly Milly with a $1,000,000 guarantee is always worth checking out. It has satellites running throughout the month, starting from just $1.10.

We really liked Ignition for freerolls. It has a weekly $2,500 freeroll tournament for all players who reached Chrome level of higher in the loyalty program. Plus, Bitcoin depositors have access to another exclusive $2,500 freeroll that usually has a soft competition.

If you are a big mobile poker player, Sportsbetting.ag has the best mobile integration. The free apps for Android and iOS allow you to take the poker room with you wherever you go. This means access to cash games and tournaments at the touch of a button.

Bovada and Ignition also stand out as being perfect picks for cash games. They are on the same network, which averages 1,100 cash game players. This makes it the sixth largest network in the world and the biggest one in the US. So, you will easily find action for NL Texas Hold’em at stakes ranging from $0.05/$0.10 to $5/$10. Both poker sites also offer anonymous poker tables.

For the softest poker competition in Ohio, we recommend Everygame. We found very loose tables here and casual opponents. This might be due to the 200% poker welcome bonus and the platform that focuses on casino gaming.

Tips for Online Poker Real Money – Ohio

While Ohio online poker is classified as a game of chance, frequent players know that it also involves a lot of skill. To help you win more at the poker tables, we encourage you to follow these simple tips:

How to Play Online Poker in Ohio

To best answer the question “Can I play online poker in Ohio?”, we will give you quick step-by-step guide on how to set everything up. This only takes a few minutes and it is all very simple.

Step 1: Start the Registration Process

Simply pick one of the best Ohio online poker sites, go to the homepage, and look for the Join Now button. We are using BetOnline for this example, which has a green registration button in the top right corner. Other sites can have Join or Sign Up, but usually in the same location.

Step 2: Complete the Registration Form

The sign-up form is very basic and only requires some personal details. Complete the form and click on the button at the bottom to create the account. You may need to upload some identification documents to verify the account before withdrawing.

Step 3: Make a First Deposit

You can now sign in by using your selected email and your BetOnline password. You will be prompted by a pop-up window informing you of your welcome bonuses. Go to the cashier, pick your preferred payment method, and claim the poker bonus right away.

Step 4: Join a Poker Table

With money in your account, you can now play online poker in Ohio. You can download the BetOnline client for PC or play directly from the browser. The poker lobby will display the cash tables at various limits and the different tournaments available. Pick your favorite and start playing!

Other Online Poker Guides you Might Like

Learn more about the different types of online poker games and options available online and where to best enjoy them:

• Best bitcoin poker Sites – A complete guide to the best Bitcoin Poker Sites to play online.
• Best offshore poker sites – A rundown of the best offshore Poker sites with massive bonuses.
• Best online poker sites – Full presentation of the best Poker Sites to play with real money.
• Play online poker for real money – Full presentation of the best Poker Sites to play with real money.
• Download the best poker apps – Complete guide and review of the best poker apps.
• Poker games (list) – Complete overview of the most popular poker games available online.

Conclusion – Playing Poker in Ohio

The conclusion is simple: you can enjoy the best online poker games in Ohio. We know that the game is hugely popular in the state and that is why we only present to you the top online poker Ohio sites.

BetOnline and Bovada are our two favorites for their action-packed cash games and busy tournament schedule. Sportsbetting is perfect for mobile poker thanks to its new apps, and Ignition rewards players with freerolls, loyalty rewards, and other perks. Last but not least, the new Everygame Poker site welcomes you with a 200% bonus. The only thing left now is to join the online poker real money Ohio action!

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