The appeal of online poker in Ohio is clear. You can join Hold’em, Omaha, or Stud games on your smartphone, tablet, or computer, while taking on your friends or other players within the online community.
This article runs through the legal landscape of Ohio online poker. We consider the current legislation and explain whether you can play for real money.
We then introduce the best online poker options in Ohio and several land-based venues for cash and tournament games.
How to Play Online Poker in Ohio: Is Real Money Poker in Ohio Legal?
At the time of writing, real-money online poker in Ohio is not legal. Several states have taken steps to legalize online poker and other forms of online gambling, but Ohio is not one of them.
As per H.B. 29, sports wagering is the only legal form of online real-money betting in Ohio. It was accepted in law on January 1st, 2023, allowing you to sign up for top bookies like Bet365 and FanDuel.
Several recent attempts have been made to legalize other forms of online gambling in Ohio. For instance, Senate Bill 312 was introduced in 2024 but has not yet passed.
Representative Brian Stewart proposed House Bill 96, which specifically mentions the state’s legalization of online casino and poker games. This is currently being considered, and we will update you with any developments here.
If real-money poker is legalized in Ohio, we expect top sites like WSOP, PokerStars, BetMGM Poker, Borgata Poker, and PartyPoker to launch. These sites are available in some other states, including PA, NJ, and MI, highlighting that they’re likely to launch in OH should the legislation pass through the House.
Given that real money online poker is not currently offered in Ohio, what other options are open to you?
Where to Play Poker in Ohio
Land-Based Casinos (real money)
- JACK Casino, Cleveland
- Hollywood Casino, Columbus
- Hollywood Casino, Toledo
- Hard Rock Casino, Cincinnati
Private Poker Clubs
- Reserve Poker Club, Toledo
- Mad River Poker Club, Dayton
- Empire Social Lounge, Toledo
Online Sweepstakes Poker (not real money)
- ClubWPT
- Global Poker
Free Online Poker
- Free Poker
- Zynga Poker
Legal Options for Online Poker in Ohio
While real-money games are off the table, all is not lost if you’re searching for Ohio online poker options. Here are some of the ways that you can play this card game online without breaking the law:
Free Online Poker in Ohio
There are ways to play free online poker in Ohio. While not ideal if you’re keen to make a buck, this is a good option if you want to hone your skills and play poker for fun.
Some of the best free online poker sites in Ohio include:
- Free Poker: A no-frills, no-sign-up online poker site available to everyone with an internet connection. It’s ideal for practice.
- Zynga Poker: Though some geo restrictions apply, Zynga Poker is available in Ohio via its iOS and Android apps.
Sweepstakes & Social Online Poker in Ohio
Sweepstakes & social online poker sites are essentially a bridge between free and real-money poker. When you play at these sites, you can redeem winnings for real money if you play with sweepstakes or promotional coins.
Sweeps poker sites are legally available in Ohio and many other states in the US. If you like the sound of this type of online poker, here are your best options:
ClubWPT Gold
The best way to play online poker in Ohio is via ClubWPT. This site lets you join live online poker tables with sweepstakes coins. Then, if you play and win, you can redeem your coins for real money prizes.
Texas Hold’em is currently offered, and the site plans to add Omaha and other variants as it grows and expands to new markets.
Global Poker
Like at ClubWPT, Global Poker lets you play with sweepstakes coins, which you can redeem for gift cards and real money prizes. It’s one of our top-rated sweepstakes sites in Ohio.
The best thing about Global is the online community, which includes weekly tournaments like Sunday Scrimmage and Sunday Eleven, as well as private Texas Hold’em and Omaha games.
Sweepstakes Casinos with Poker Games
Another option for online poker in Ohio is to sign up for a sweepstakes casino that offers poker-themed and styled games. These sites don’t offer live poker rooms and online communities, but they allow you to play a type of casino poker for prizes.
Most games at these sites are video poker or RNG poker variants. Rather than playing against other people, you compete against the computer, and it’s a much simpler form of poker. Below are your best options if you’re keen to play these types of games:
Stake.us
Endorsed by Drake, Stake.us is the leading sweepstakes casino in the United States. You can play Texas Hold’em, Pot-Limit Omaha, and video poker at Stake.us. All poker variants are available with gold and sweepstakes coins for free or promotional play.
Other top sweepstakes sites like Funrize and Chumba Casino don’t currently offer poker variants, but they may introduce these games in the near future.
Poker at Land-Based Venues in Ohio
So, your Ohio online poker options are limited to a smattering of live rooms at ClubWPT and Global, while sweepstakes sites like Stake.us also offer a handful of poker-themed games you can play on your smartphone, tablet, or computer.
If you’re looking for the thrill and gameplay traits that poker is famous for, your best option is to visit a land-based poker venue in Ohio for real money play.
Real-money gambling in Ohio is legal at some racinos and casinos, but not all of these destinations have poker tables. There are also private poker clubs across the state, which you can apply to join.
Poker at Land-Based Casinos in Ohio
Here are your best options if you’re keen to play real-money poker at land-based casinos in OH:
JACK Casino, Cleveland
JACK Casino is one of Cleveland’s most popular gambling destinations and an excellent spot for poker fans. At the last count, you can join the action at 23 poker tables at JACK, open 24/7. There are low and high-stakes daily tournaments, and Hold’em and Omaha cash games throughout the day.
Hollywood Casino, Columbus
Though not open 24/7 like JACK, Hollywood Casino is another top land-based poker venue in Ohio. It has 34 tables, including cash games, excellent poker promotions, and special offers for regular players.
You can also play poker at Hollywood Casino in Toledo, though the game offering is slightly smaller than in Columbus.
Hard Rock Casino, Cincinnati
Grab a seat at any of the 30 tables at Hard Rock Casino in Cincinnati for real-money no-limit Hold’em and pot-limit Omaha games, with varying buy-ins. A daily tournament with a $100 buy-in is also popular, while higher-stakes weekend tournaments attract players from across the state.
Private Poker Clubs in Ohio
Alongside casinos, private poker clubs operate across Ohio. These venues typically utilize a membership system or charge an hourly fee to players.
If you like the idea of the more intimate nature of membership-based poker in Ohio, below are some of the most prominent private poker clubs in the state:
Reserve Poker Club, Toledo
One of the most accessible poker clubs in Ohio is Reserve in Toledo. It’s open to the general public and offers several cash games and weekend tournaments. Up to 14 tables are in action at any given time. There are also occasional freeroll tournaments, which are advertised online.
Mad River Poker Club, Dayton
An annual membership at Mad River in Dayton is $300, but you can also pay a day or a monthly rate if you prefer. Cash games include Stud, Hold’em, and Omaha, while weekly tournaments with various buy-ins are arranged.
Empire Social Lounge, Toledo
One of the cheapest options for in-person poker in Ohio is the Empire Social Lounge. You can’t buy a monthly or annual membership – simply pay the low day rate to join a game whenever you like. The club opens at 7.00 pm most days and mainly offers Texas Hold’em cash games with occasional tournaments.
Play Poker in Ohio Today – Sign Up Via Ohio.bet
As we await new legislation that might legalize real-money online poker in Ohio, there are a few ways to play this game legally in the state.
The best option is via an online sweepstakes poker site like ClubWPT or Global Poker, as you can play with sweeps coins, which you can later redeem for cash prizes or gift cards.
Alternatively, you can visit any of the land-based casinos or poker clubs introduced above, which offer legal, real-money cash games and tournaments.
If a new bill is passed to legalize online poker in Ohio, we will update this page with the best places to play and the top offers and codes for all new customers. informed about Ohio’s gambling laws, as legislative changes could expand online poker options in the future.
Where to play live poker in Ohio?
Popular locations include:
- Hollywood Casino Toledo: Known for Texas Hold’em tournaments with various buy-ins.
- JACK Cincinnati Casino: Offers weekly tournaments and cash games.
- Miami Valley Gaming (Lebanon): Hosts smaller tournaments perfect for beginners.
While fully regulated online poker hasn’t launched in Ohio yet, you can legally play on sweepstakes-based poker sites like Global Poker. These sites allow you to use virtual currency, and winnings can be redeemed for cash prizes.
Which Ohio cities have the most poker-friendly casinos?
- Cincinnati: JACK Casino has an active poker scene.
- Toledo: Hollywood Casino is a go-to spot for poker enthusiasts.
- Dayton area: Miami Valley Gaming offers casual poker rooms.
Typically, rakes range between 5-10% per pot, capped at a certain amount (e.g., $5). For example, at JACK Cincinnati Casino, the rake for No-Limit Hold’em is 10% up to $5.
Are there poker leagues or clubs in Ohio for casual players?
Yes! Ohio has several poker leagues like DeepStacks Poker Tour and local clubs that organize casual games in bars or community centers. Check platforms like Meetup or Facebook for local events.
View the best legal sites for online wagering in Ohio here or check what bonuses you can claim today.