- Is It Legal To Play Online Poker In Ohio
- Online Poker Real Money Ohio
- Online Poker Real Money Legal In Ohio State
The attitude of legislators in Ohio is that residents are welcome to enjoy a wide range of gambling options, as long as they are regulated. The law is essentially set out to make all forms of gambling illegal by default, and then listing all the exceptions (of which there are many). Having said that, the law does not specifically address online gambling – including online poker. This means that many online poker fans regularly enjoy quality online poker in Ohio at top sites.
On this page, Ohio poker players will find information on how to play online poker in the Buckeye State, which online poker rooms will welcome them, how to navigate the laws governing poker and gambling in the state and the legal status of online poker in Ohio.
On this page, Ohio poker players will find information on how to play online poker in the Buckeye State, which online poker rooms will welcome them, how to navigate the laws governing poker and gambling in the state and the legal status of online poker in Ohio.
How to Play legal Online Poker in Ohio
Generally speaking, players should actively seek out online poker sites which offer them the very best in terms of safety and security, reputation and entertainment. With so much choice available out there, players shouldn’t settle for anything less. The best place to start would be to check out the online poker rooms listed on this site, which have been chosen for their high standards and suitability for online poker players in Ohio. Once players are registered with a site, opened an account and made a real money deposit, they’re set to go.
Are Ohio Residents Accepted at Online Poker Sites?
There is nothing stopping an Ohioan poker player from registering with an online poker room and playing for real money as long as the software provider accepts players from the state and as long as all the legal age limits are met. If in any doubt, players can ask the question directly from the site’s customer support team and receive a reply in no time.
Helpful Pages: Best Online Poker Sites For USA Players
Is Online Poker Legal in Ohio? Under Ohio Revised Code 2915.01 poker is described as a game of chance and is grouped in with traditional casino games like craps and roulette, and therefore existing gambling law. However, specifically playing poker online isn't mentioned. In a commercial casino, playing poker for real money is absolutely legal in Ohio. At home games (and all games not played in public), as long as absolutely no one benefits from the running of the game (no tips for dealers, even), playing poker for money appears to be legal in Ohio. The stakes of the game are apparently not relevant. Online gambling in Ohio may require a constitutional amendment though as gambling is currently only permitted in four cities, Cleveland, Toledo, Columbus, and Cincinnati. An online poker or online gambling bill would make it available state wide, thus the need for the amendment.
Is Online Poker Legal in Ohio?
The state poker laws in Ohio do not deal with the issue of online gambling – and therefore online poker – directly which means that a player would essentially not be directly violating a law if found gambling online. As with many gambling laws in countless states across the US, this matter is open to discussion and interpretation and there is a very grey area surrounding laws governing Internet wagering. It is safe to say that no player is likely to get caught up with the law for playing poker online. Online poker rooms are highly discreet and will never pass on private information of its players to state authorities.
Helpful Article about legal online poker: Is online poker legal?
Broad View of Poker Laws In Ohio
All laws governing gambling in Ohio are covered by state law 2915.01 et seq.; 3769.01 et seq which protects the state’s booming industry. Players are able to enjoy a wide range of real money poker options at commercial casinos across the state, and the law also says that home games can be played as long as nobody benefits from the actual running of these games.
Online Poker Regulation in Ohio
There seems to be no major opposing body that will counter the attempts being made to regulate online poker in Ohio, but until this happens, online poker players in the state rely on the high standards set by online poker rooms when it comes to regulating issues such as security, payouts and customer protection. Thankfully, the vast majority of poker rooms understand the importance of self regulation and do everything in their power to provide a safe gaming destination for their players.
Legal online poker sites that accept Ohio residents
There is no shortage of legal online poke sites that accept Ohio residents, although it can only be stressed how important it is to stick to sites that are powered by reputable software providers, that are popular among players to ensure brisk traffic, and that take issues such as safety and privacy very seriously.
Bovada Poker is a one-stop poker destination for players seeking a multiple language client, with plenty of poker action at all levels, whether through cash games or tournaments. Since 2011, Bovada Poker has been providing players with 24/7 online poker excitement, rewarding them well through massive welcome bonuses and cash back promotions, guaranteed tournaments and qualifiers. This online poker room offers Texas Hold ‘em, Omaha, 7 Card Stud and much more. Creating an account is simple and players can opt for free or real money gaming.
Closing Thoughts About The Online Poker Laws In Ohio
An overall examination of the legalities of online poker in Ohio shows that local players recognize the fact that Internet gambling is not specifically mentioned and therefore allow themselves to seek out quality, high level online poker entertainment at leading sites. The range of sites available to these players, coupled with the popularity of poker in the state, make for a powerful, fast-expanding online poker industry in Ohio.
Ohio may be of below average stature, ranked the 34th largest state in the US, but it packs in a high volume of residents with the 7th highest population, home to 11,570,808 (est. 2013). Ohio has one of the best business oriented economies in the country, but its unemployment rate was over 10% in 2010; a key factor for voters in the Buckeye State when they decided to allow four grand casinos to be built the in major cities of Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo. The state’s gambling revenue has soared since then, but online poker regulation has yet to become one of those valuable resources.
There are countless internet gamers in Ohio who continue to enjoy playing poker for real money from the comfort of their home computers or mobile devices, but the question many would like an answer to is whether it’s illegal to do so. Just because online poker is not legally authorized in a state doesn’t necessarily make it illegal by default. In many US jurisdictions, it falls into a grey area of the law. Our aim today is to find out which category online poker might fall into in Ohio. To do this, we’ll examine the land-based casino industry and the laws surrounding gambling in the state.
Land-based Gambling in Ohio
Ohio wasn’t considered a big gambling state for years, even in recent times. Horse racing, lottery and bingo games were present, but that was the extent of wagering in the Buckeye State. It wasn’t until its neighbor, Pennsylvania, began authorizing racinos and casinos – an event that lead to the Keystone State wrestling the #2 spot of highest gambling revenue in the US from New Jersey (the first being Nevada, of course) – that the state changed its tune. Ohio passed a bill to build 4 new casinos in 2009 and has since seen all 7 of its raceways converted to racinos, along with the addition of four full-scale casino operations, all of which opened their doors between 2012 and 2014. That brings the total number to 11 casino destinations throughout Ohio. The debate of online poker regulation has already risen, and we can clearly conclude that Ohio has no aversion to pouring gambling-related tax dollars into the state funds, but as of yet, no action has been taken.
Deciphering the Laws of Ohio as they relate to Online Poker
Next, we’ll take a look at some of the gambling related laws in Ohio that could relate to online poker. The following texts have been extracted from the Ohio Revised Codes, Title 29, Chapter 2915: Gambling.
Section | Text | Meaning (in re online poker) |
2915.01 Gambling Definitions | (B) “Bet” means the hazarding of anything of value upon the result of an event, undertaking, or contingency, but does not include a bona fide business risk. | With no mention of chance or skill factors, wagering on poker is defined as making a bet. |
(D) “Game of chance” means 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. | Poker is classified as a game of chance in Ohio. | |
(E) “Game of chance conducted for profit” means any game of chance designed to produce income for the person who conducts or operates the game of chance, but does not include bingo. | If a rake is taken at cash games, or a fee collected to enter tournaments, online poker is classified as a game of chance conducted for profit. | |
(F) “Gambling device” means any of the following: (1) A book, totalizer, or other equipment for recording bets; (2) A ticket, token, or other device representing a chance, share, or interest in a scheme of chance or evidencing a bet; (3) A deck of cards, dice, gaming table, roulette wheel, slot machine, or other apparatus designed for use in connection with a game of chance; (4) Any equipment, device, apparatus, or paraphernalia specially designed for gambling purposes; (5) Bingo supplies sold or otherwise provided, or used, in violation of this chapter. | A computer or mobile device is not ‘designed’ for or ‘specially designed’ for gambling purposes, thus should not fall under this definition if used to play online poker for real money. However, a judge may see it differently. | |
(G) “Gambling offense” means any of the following: (1) A violation of section 2915.02… | See 2915.02 below… | |
2915.02 Gambling. | (A) No person shall do any of the following: (2) Establish, promote, or operate or knowingly engage in conduct that facilitates any game of chance conducted for profit or any scheme of chance; (4) Engage in betting or in playing any scheme or game of chance as a substantial source of income or livelihood; | It is illegal to be involved in any way in a game of chance conducted for profit. Making a substantial portion of your income from gambling is also illegal. |
(B) …For purposes of division (A)(2) of this section, a person facilitates a game of chance conducted for profit or a scheme of chance if the person in any way knowingly aids in the conduct or operation of any such game or scheme, including, without limitation, playing any such game or scheme. | Being a player in a game of chance conducted for profit (which, based on the definitions above, would include online poker) is illegal. | |
(C) This section does not prohibit conduct in connection with gambling expressly permitted by law. | Participating in any gambling activity that is not expressly authorized by law is illegal in Ohio. | |
(K) Whoever violates this section is guilty of gambling, a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the offender previously has been convicted of any gambling offense, gambling is a felony of the fifth degree… | A first-time gambling offense is punishable by up to 180 days in jail and/or up to $1,000 fine. A subsequent gambling offense increases the penalty to 6-12 months in jail and up to $2,500 fine. |
Is Online Poker Illegal in Ohio?
Yes. There may be no specific mention of internet or online poker in the legislative text, but there are enough definitions and prohibited activities listed to come to the conclusion that online poker is illegal in Ohio. Poker is a game of chance, and any game of chance that is not authorized by the state, or that is conducted for profit (i.e. the operator of the online poker room is making a profit), is unlawful to participate in. There is a separate clause that states a player cannot use gambling as a substantial source of income or livelihood, but the punishment for doing so does not seem to differ from the penalty for simply playing real money online poker.
Is Ohio working to legalize Online Poker?
Having just begun establishing a heavily expanded casino industry in the state, Ohio was quick to look at the possibility of legalizing online poker and casino games when the US government gave states the right to do so in late 2011. The next month, official announced that they were already exploring the idea, but in the end, they decided it was best to focus on their land-based gambling expansion while keeping an eye on the iGaming activities in other jurisdictions.
Ohio is one state where online poker regulation is projected to become a reality in the short term. Now that all of the state’s new casinos are open for business, shepherding them into the virtual realm is the next obvious step. You can expect to see an Ohio online poker bill introduced sometime in 2015; 2016 at the latest. Getting that bill onto the governor’s desk will come with some opposition, though. State Rep. Jim Jordan’s name appears on the list of cosponsors for the Restoration of America’s Wire Act, a federal bill introduced to enforce a blanket ban of online poker and casino gambling across the US.
Online Poker Players from Ohio
Ohio is home to a vast number of professional online poker grinders. Some of the bigger names – several of which have racked up 7-figures in cashes – include Joe “ender555” / “sampson724” Ebanks, Tommy “thecooler992” Tomasello, Joel “SpadeSkillz” Dickerson, B.J. “FatsoFat6969” Craig, Chaz “Chaz78” Bloom, Nate “njw11” Wachtel, Kris “KGB11” Bennett and Brennan “brennan4” Hall.
Land-Based Card Rooms in Ohio
Ohio’s casino industry is only two years in the making, but has boomed quickly in that short amount of time. There are 7 racinos and four 4 full-scale casinos in Ohio, all opened between May 14, 2012 (Horseshoe Casino Cleveland) and September 17, 2014 (Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Racecourse). Each is listed alphabetically below, along with its location and the availability of a poker room.
Belterra Park Gaming & Entertainment Center
Location: Anderson Township, OH
Poker Room: No
Location: Anderson Township, OH
Poker Room: No
Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park
Location: Northfield, OH
Poker Room: No
Location: Northfield, OH
Poker Room: No
Hollywood Casino Columbus
Location: Columbus, OH
Poker Room: Yes
Location: Columbus, OH
Poker Room: Yes
Hollywood Casino Toledo
Location: Toledo, OH
Poker Room: Yes
Location: Toledo, OH
Poker Room: Yes
Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway
Location: Dayton, OH
Poker Room: No
Location: Dayton, OH
Poker Room: No
Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course
Location: Austintown, OH
Poker Room: Yes
Location: Austintown, OH
Poker Room: Yes
Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Poker Room: Yes
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Poker Room: Yes
Is It Legal To Play Online Poker In Ohio
Horseshoe Casino Cleveland
Location: Cleveland, OH
Poker Room: Yes
Location: Cleveland, OH
Poker Room: Yes
Miami Valley Gaming
Location: Turtlecreek Township, OH
Poker Room: No
Location: Turtlecreek Township, OH
Poker Room: No
Scioto Downs Racino
Location: Columbus, OH
Poker Room: No
Location: Columbus, OH
Poker Room: No
Online Poker Real Money Ohio
Thistledown Racino
Location: North Randall, OH
Poker Room: Yes
Location: North Randall, OH
Poker Room: Yes
Online Poker Real Money Legal In Ohio State
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