While there are online poker sites that accept players from the Buckeye State, the bottom line is that online poker in Ohio is not officially recognized or regulated. The state doesn’t license any poker platforms and has laws in place that prevent state gaming regulators from overseeing them.
That said, Ohio laws don’t ban poker entirely. Players can legally take part in home games, play at social clubs or commercial casinos, join sweepstakes-based platforms, or use offshore poker sites that legally operate outside of the US.
On this page, we break down the current poker laws and help you find safe, trusted ways to play online poker in Ohio.
Ohio Online Poker Overview
Curious about the state of online poker in Ohio? The video below breaks down the legal landscape, highlights your current options as a player, and offers practical tips for getting started safely and confidently.
Top Sites for Online Poker in Ohio
We've tested dozens of offshore poker rooms to find the most reliable and engaging options for Ohio players. These sites earned top marks for reliability, poker bonuses, and ease of use. Each platform offers something unique, let's take a look:
Ignition: Best Overall Poker Site for Ohio Residents
Ignition Poker is a trusted, reliable online poker site on the Pai Wang Luo network that offers a wide selection of real money online poker games to US players. You can claim a variety of bonuses when you sign up for the site, including a generous welcome bonus worth up to $1,500. Ignition is well known for having soft games thanks to its recreational player-friendly features, creating an attractive prospect for poker players.
Bovada Poker, a well-established name in the American online poker scene, stands out for its user-friendly platform and soft competition. With various deposit and withdrawal options, including Bitcoin and credit cards, Bovada offers convenient banking methods. While its promotional offerings may not be the most extensive, its unique features like anonymous tables and fast transaction processing make it a reliable choice for US players seeking an enjoyable online poker experience.
High traffic with active cash games and tournaments.
100% up to $1,000 bonus with tournament tickets.
Fast crypto payments with no fees.
Many tournament options, including PKOs and Sunday Majors.
Min Deposit
10
Payout Speed
1 Day
Since 1991, BetOnline has been a trusted brand associated with gambling online. Its decades of dependable online poker action and payouts have cemented BetOnline Poker as one of the best providers for US players.
Legality of Online Poker in Ohio
Online Poker
Available - Offshore Only
Commercial Poker
Available
Legal Gambling Age
21+
Poker Regulator
Ohio Casino Control Commission
Is Online Poker Legal in Ohio?
No, online poker is not currently legal or regulated in Ohio. The state has not passed any legislation authorizing real money online poker, and regulators are not permitted to license such platforms. However, Ohio players are not penalized for playing on offshore sites that accept users from the state.
Recent Online Poker Developments in Ohio
In 2024, Ohio took a notable step toward legalizing online poker and other forms of iGaming with the introduction of Senate Bill 312, sponsored by State Senator Niraj Antani. The 146-page proposal aimed to legalize online casino gaming, including poker, and place oversight under the Ohio Casino Control Commission. Each of the state’s 11 casinos and racinos would have been permitted to launch one online casino platform, subject to a 15% tax on gross gaming revenue.
Despite its comprehensive framework, the bill did not advance during the 2024 legislative session. Senator Antani, who had co-sponsored successful sports betting legislation in the past, was term-limited out of office. As a result, the measure was left without a clear legislative champion.
Around the same time, the state released the Report of the Study Commission on the Future of Gaming in Ohio, a 354-page bipartisan analysis examining the potential expansion of gambling. The report expressed strong support for legalizing iGaming, describing online poker as a relatively low-risk entry point. It highlighted benefits such as increased tax revenue, improved consumer protections, and the ability to draw players away from unregulated offshore sites. While some concerns were raised about market cannibalization, the overall assessment was favorable toward future regulation.
As of 2026, no new legislation has been introduced, and the issue remains on hold. Still, the groundwork laid in 2025 and broad policy support suggest that online poker remains a viable opportunity if political momentum returns.
Current Ohio Poker Laws
Poker is classified as a "game of chance" under state law (Ohio Rev. Code § 2915.01), which means it is subject to restrictions related to unlicensed gambling. Although offering unregulated games is illegal, individuals, particularly those playing online, have generally not been the focus of enforcement. There are no laws explicitly prohibiting residents from playing poker on the internet, and no known cases of prosecution have occurred for doing so.
Since the state has not established a legal framework for online poker, many residents turn to offshore sites. These platforms operate legally in their own jurisdictions but are not regulated or licensed by state laws in most US jurisdictions. Nevertheless, they remain accessible and widely used.
The possibility of legal, state-sanctioned poker has emerged in recent years. In 2024, lawmakers introduced Senate Bill 312, which proposed allowing casinos and racinos to launch regulated online platforms, including poker. Although the bill ultimately stalled, it reflected a growing acknowledgment of iGaming as a viable component of the state's gambling landscape.
While no follow-up legislation has been introduced, these indicators suggest that the conversation about online poker is not over, just merely on pause.
Ohio Gambling & Poker Laws Summarized
Type/Code
Summary
State Code Section(s)
2915; 3763; 3769-3670; 3772; 3774
Definition of Game of Chance
Poker, craps, roulette, or other game in which a player gives anything of value in the hope of gain, the outcome of which is determined largely by chance, but does not include bingo.
Definition of Gambling Device
A book, totalizer, or other equipment for recording bets; a ticket, token, or other device representing a chance, share, or interest in a scheme of chance or evidencing a bet; a deck of cards, dice, gaming table, roulette wheel, slot machine, or other apparatus designed for use in connection with a game of chance; any equipment, device, apparatus, or paraphernalia specially designed for gambling purposes.
Definition of Gambling Prohibited
Establish, promote, or operate or knowingly engage in conduct that facilitates any game of chance conducted for profit or any scheme of chance; knowingly procure, transmit, exchange, or engage in conduct that facilitates the procurement, transmission, or exchange of information for use in establishing odds or determining winners in connection with bookmaking or with any game of chance conducted for profit or any scheme of chance; engage in betting or in playing any scheme or game of chance as a substantial source of income or livelihood.
Online Poker/Gambling
There have been no solid efforts to legalize and regulate online poker or other types of internet gaming.
Live Poker
Poker rooms are available in the large casinos throughout Ohio, each with cash games and tournaments.
Casinos
The Casino Control Act of 2009 legalized casinos in four major cities, and the first one opened in 2012. The law also allowed racetracks to upgrade to racinos by installing video gambling machines in order to compete with the new casinos, though they do not offer table games like poker.
Sports Betting
A bill to legalize live and online sports betting passed in December 2021, and Governor DeWine signed it. Nearly 20 sportsbooks operated online by the start of 2024.
DFS
Ohio lawmakers legalized daily fantasy sports in late 2017.
Other Forms of Gambling
Horse racing and on-track pari-mutuel betting, bingo and games of chance for charitable organizations, lottery, social gambling.
The Basics of Online Poker and Ohio
The state does not recognize online poker sites, as the Ohio Casino Control Commission does not have the legal authority to license and regulate online poker or casino sites.
Players in the state have found two primary ways to play online. For those not near a live casino or card club, and for the people who would rather play online for any number of reasons, there are some sites that cater to them, like sweepstakes-based and membership-based poker sites.
More popular, though, are online poker sites like Ignition Poker and BetOnline Poker. The sites are licensed by gaming regulators outside of the United States, and they offer cash games and poker tournaments to players around the United States. Ohio poker players are included in that customer base, and many of them have been playing at sites like Ignition and BetOnline for years, some even a decade or more.
Our analysts and site reviewers are not lawyers, which means they cannot give online poker and gambling advice. Therefore, the suggestions of BetOnline and Ignition, among others, are simply options that do cater to players in Ohio.
Players from Ohio have competed online at one point or another throughout their careers as pros or semi-pros. David Peters, who is the top-ranked poker player from Ohio, had earned more than $30M in live tournaments alone by the end of 2023, but he spent years grinding poker online before he made so much money at the live tables. Other prominent Ohio natives also got their starts online, such as Keven Stammen and Byron Kaverman.
Famous Ohio Poker Players
Some live poker rooms in Ohio are in Toledo, Columbus, and Northfield. While these venues don’t host many major live tournament series, they serve as a consistent training ground for emerging talent.
Many of Ohio’s most successful players began their journeys online. David Peters is among them. Now a high-stakes professional and the most accomplished poker tournament player from Ohio, he has earned over $47.5 million in live winnings. Byron Kaverman, another top pro, got his start in local games and has earned over $20.8 million throughout his career.
Justin Saliba has climbed rapidly in recent years, surpassing $10.1 million in live tournament earnings. Others, like Keven Stammen and Adam Friedman, built strong online and live reputations, with $6.9 million and $4.98 million, respectively.
The legendary David “Chip” Reese, considered one of the greatest cash game players in history, also came from Ohio. His lifetime earnings reached nearly $4 million before his passing in 2007.
As of 2026, the top-ranked live tournament earners from Ohio include:
David Peters – $47,527,392
Byron Kaverman – $20,866,217
Justin Saliba – $10,116,983
Keven Stammen – $6,933,122
Adam Friedman – $4,984,358
Jacob Bazeley – $4,965,857
David Reese – $3,999,090
Joe Ebanks – $3,407,286
Sean Troha – $3,314,928
Frank Lagodich – $3,097,555
Play Poker Responsibly in Ohio
Poker can be a fun and engaging way to pass the time, but it should never feel like a burden. If you're playing online from Ohio, set personal limits, take breaks, and keep your play in perspective. Help is available if you or someone you know is struggling:
Ohio Gambling Telehealth Network: Explore virtual counseling options at ohiogtn.org.
Visit our Responsible Gambling page for tips, tools, and additional resources. With the right approach, online poker can stay enjoyable, balanced, and safe.
Play Online Poker in Ohio
Ohioans can confidently enjoy online poker at reputable offshore sites, as current state poker laws do not prohibit individuals from playing. These platforms operate legally outside the state's jurisdiction and continue to serve players with secure payments, active player pools, and a variety of poker bonuses.
While the 2024 SB 312 bill, which proposed regulating online poker, failed to gain traction, its proposal signals growing momentum toward future legislation. For now, offshore sites remain the state's best option for online poker. Just be sure to play responsibly and stick to online poker sites for real money with strong reputations and player protections.
Jennifer Newell is a freelance writer at LegalUsPokerSites. She has two decades of experience in the iGaming industry. She is a respected poker media member, contributing to publications and websites like USA Today, PokerStars, and PokerScout. Her knowledge spans gambling legislation and the broader online gaming world. She has spent years advocating for diversity, most notably gender equity in the traditionally male-dominated poker sphere.
Ohio Casino Control Commission: This primary site for the state’s gambling regulator outlines the laws and licenses casinos to operate in Ohio.
Charitable Ohio: Ohio’s Attorney General details charitable gambling laws and explains the registration process for facilities that want to operate charity-based poker rooms and social clubs.
OH! Lottery: The Ohio Lottery is charged with video lottery terminals, keno, and sports gambling, per links at the bottom of the home page.
Ohio Legislature: It is a resource for all legislature-related activities, as well as details about the Ohio Constitution, Revised Code, and Administrative Code. It contains House and Senate directories and all proposed and approved legislation.
Problem Gambling Network of Ohio: This is a full list of resources for problem gambling, including training, treatment, and mental health.
