Legal Ohio Online Sports Betting 2024
Sports betting in Ohio was legalized in December of 2021, and domestic sportsbook apps began accepting wagers in January 2023. In addition to the state's domestic retail, online, and mobile sports betting options, Ohio-based gamblers can place wagers on any of their favorite local teams by using offshore sportsbook sites.
Sports gambling is an increasingly popular industry but is one that requires vigilance to ensure you’re betting legally and safely. This page was created to inform Ohio area gamblers about the best sportsbook options available to them and the laws that they need to adhere to when placing bets.
So, where does Ohio stand on things like legal online sports betting in the state, exactly? Let's find out.
Domestic Ohio Sports Betting Apps Available Now
Offshore OH Sportsbooks Allow For Legal Sports Betting Online
Best OH Online Sportsbook For 2024
Ohio sports fans who are seeking a certified, reputable, and top-notch online sportsbook will find what they're looking for at BetOnline Sportsbook. Their lifetime bonus offer sets them apart in regard to incentives, and they cover most major professional sports leagues and events.
BetOnline.AG's odds are competitive and on par with the Vegas bookmakers, particularly when it comes to betting on the Super Bowl. They support most of the United States and also offer access to a premium online poker room, racebook, and casino.
BetOnline treats its customers very well, and the customer support staff is highly responsive and knowledgeable. BetOnline is currently our number one option for Ohio sports gamblers.
- Welcome Bonus Worth 50% Up To $1,000
- Licensed Out Of Panama City, Panama
- Year-Round Options For Betting On The Super Bowl
- Membership Includes Access To Poker, Casino, Horses, And More
- Mobile Sportsbook App Available
- Live Betting Lines For All Major Sports
- Over 20+ Years Of Top-Level Experience In The USA
All USA Sportsbooks Accepting Ohio Players In 2024
| Site Name | Current Bonus | Rating /5 | U.S. | Visit Site | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | 50% Max $1,000 | 4.9 |  | Visit Site Review |
| 2 |  | 50% Max $1,000 | 4.5 | | Visit Site Review |
| 3 |  | 50% Max $1,000 | 4.3 | | Visit Site Review |
| 4 |  | 100% Max $2,500 | 4.2 | | Visit Site Review |
| 5 |  | 50% Max $500 | 4.2 | | Visit Site Review |
| 6 |  | 50% Max $500 | 4.2 | | Visit Site Review |
| 7 |  | 50% Max $1,000 | 4.1 | | Visit Site Review |
Is Sports Betting Legal In Ohio As Of 2024?
Yes. Domestic sports betting (mobile/online/in-person) has been made legal by the Ohio legislature, and the first mobile sportsbook debuted in January of 2023. Offshore sports betting sites like the ones linked to on this page are also able to accept wagers online from Ohio-based gamblers.
Because the above-listed sportsbook websites operate from within jurisdictions outside of Ohio and the USA, federal laws have no say in how they conduct their online gambling business. OH bettors can join an offshore sportsbook and bet on sports today without violating any state or federal regulations.
Is Ohio Online Sports Betting Legal?
State-based online sports betting has been made legal in Ohio, and domestic sportsbooks are accepting wagers now. Still, Ohio bettors' best option is wagering with an overseas sports betting site like the ones featured in the table above.
There are not any state gambling laws in Ohio that prohibit citizens from betting on sports at legally authorized and operated online sportsbooks that accept USA gamblers.
The best USA sports betting sites, such as the ones listed in this guide, can provide Ohioans with secure and legitimate wagering options.
How To Bet On Sports In Ohio
Betting on sports in Ohio requires becoming a member of an online sportsbook that we recommend above. We strongly urge Ohio-based gamblers to read our online sportsbook reviews because each one offers different perks and options that you may prefer. Also, think about joining multiple books to avoid getting trapped into a single set of betting odds for each game or contest.
Once you've decided which sportsbook to sign up with, from any page within the OH betting site, click on the join button at the top. First, you'll need to enter your account profile data and verify your membership using your smartphone in most cases. Make sure to create a secure sportsbook login that will be difficult to crack.
After that's wrapped up, sportsbook deposits will need to be made before laying any action on pro and college games. Both USD and cryptocurrency can be used to fund your account. After the deposit transaction has been completed, members are now free to bet on sports or gamble in the online casino where applicable.
Where Can I Bet On Sports In Ohio?
Ohio has passed laws that regulate domestic sportsbooks, both mobile and in-person, with no prohibitions placed on offshore sports betting sites. That creates an Ohio gambling environment where offshore entities rule the roost. Here is a breakdown of the pros and cons of domestic and offshore sports betting in Ohio.
Domestic
- Minimum Gambling Age Requirement Of 21
- Sports Betting Apps Will Require A Download
- No Political Election Betting
Offshore
- Most Sportsbooks Allow 18 And Older Members To Join
- No Download Required To Bet On iPhones and Android Devices
- Open For Business In Ohio Right Now
When Will Ohio Legalize Sports Betting Domestically?
Politicians in the state of Ohio passed in-person, online, and mobile sports betting via House Bill 49 in December of 2021, and the first mobile sportsbooks debuted on January 1, 2023.
Are There Tribal Gambling Casinos In Ohio With In-Person Sportsbooks?
There are currently several Native American-run casinos and gambling venues within Ohio's borders, but none of them feature an in-person sportsbook. Recent Ohio sports betting bills have received passage and will allow for up to 42 local sportsbook locations.
Tribal casinos are eager to get a piece of the Ohio sports betting pie and will most likely secure several licenses when they are made available.
The Best Ohio Mobile Sports Betting Apps
We prefer offshore sports betting applications in Ohio because they can be pulled up on iPhones and Android smartphones just by clicking on their link using a mobile web browser (Safari, Opera, etc.).
There is no need to install an app on your device, as these web applications supply the latest odds and lines for major sports on the fly with sleek, single-fingered navigation.
These mobile sports betting apps accept Ohio members as young as 18 and will be the best local option even when domestic apps debut.
Ohio Top Sports Teams To Bet On In 2024
If you're not an Ohioan and love sports, then you might be a little jealous of the Buckeye State. Ohio has quite a few college programs and pro franchises that inspire odds at sports betting sites, which we detail in the following sections.
Betting On The Cleveland Browns (NFL Football)
Betting on the NFL in Ohio is a big deal - and why shouldn't it be? It is considered the home of football's origins and houses the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, OH. The Cleveland Browns franchise was established in 1944, dominating the early days of the NFL.
Although the Browns won four NFL championships in the 1950s and 1960s, their fans are still waiting for their first Super Bowl title. If you want to bet on the Browns' odds to win, championship futures, or props, Ohio gamblers can do so at the NFL sportsbook sites we suggest here.
Betting On The Cincinnati Bengals (NFL Football)
The Bengals franchise was established in 1967 by former Cleveland Browns head coach Paul Brown and had the stadium named after him when it opened prior to the 2000 season.
Like the Browns, the Bengals have not won a Super Bowl despite making it to the big game three times during their long history. NFL betting on the Bengals in Ohio is available at all hours of the day when becoming a member of any offshore pro football sportsbook mentioned here.
Betting On The Cincinnati Reds (MLB Baseball)
The Cincinnati Reds have called southern Ohio home since 1888 and currently have five World Series pennants hanging proudly at the Great American Ballpark.
Whether you want to wager on the Cincinnati Reds' odds of winning a game, a run spread, championship futures, or betting on the MLB Playoffs, the offshore sportsbook sites we endorse here are the best option in Ohio or anywhere else in the United States.
Betting On The Cleveland Guardians (MLB Baseball)
The Cleveland Guardians were known as the Cleveland Indians until they changed their name in 2021. MLB betting sites that cater to the Ohio area routinely post Guardians' odds, run lines, props, and futures.
Gamblers can even place their wagers on mobile devices while attending a Guardians game at Progressive Field.
Betting On The Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA Basketball)
The Cleveland Cavaliers play in the NBA's Eastern Conference and have resided in the region since 1970. The Cavs were able to win the NBA Finals in 2018 during LeBron James' second tenure with the team, and they are hungry for more championships in the coming years.
Ohio-based gamblers can bet on the NBA and Cleveland Cavaliers at any offshore sportsbook listed in this guide.
Betting On The Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL Hockey)
Ohio gamblers that like to bet on NHL games are now feasting on odds provided for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League.
The Blue Jackets began operation in the year 2000 and are still on the hunt for their first Stanley Cup. The Blue Jackets' name is based on the attire worn by Ohio soldiers who fought in the Civil War.
Betting On The Ohio State Buckeyes (NCAAF)
The Ohio State Buckeyes are the only Power 5 Conference college football program in the state of Ohio, competing annually in the Big Ten.
The team name refers to a buckeye, a small, shiny, dark brown poisonous nut with a light tan patch that comes from the buckeye tree - the official state tree of OH. According to Ohio folklore, the buckeye nut resembles the eye of a deer, and carrying one brings good luck to the person holding it.
The Buckeyes played their first season of college football in 1890 and won their first national championship in 1942, led by head coach Paul Brown.
Located in Columbus, OH, the Buckeyes make Ohio Stadium, also known as “The Horseshoe,” their home and is the fourth largest stadium in the world with a capacity of 104,944. In total, the Buckeyes have won 8 national championships.
Ohio State's odds for betting on college football are often placed at the top of the boards for winning a CFP national championship due to how often they earn the Big Ten Title. Ohio State odds for betting on NCAA Basketball are also available from October through March Madness.
Other NCAAF And NCAAB Programs In Ohio
- Cincinnati Bearcats (Big 12)
- Akron Zips (Mid-American)
- Bowling Green Falcons (Mid-American)
- Kent State Golden Flashes (Mid-American)
- Miami RedHawks (Mid-American)
- Ohio Bobcats (Mid-American)
- Toledo Rockets (Mid-American)
- Xavier Musketeers (Big East) NCAAB Only*
- Youngstown State Penguins (Horizon)
Do Federal Regulations Affect Ohio's Gambling Laws In 2024?
Ohio allows all forms of commercial gaming, but Federal laws do have a direct influence on sports betting in the US. The Federal Wire Act is in place to prevent monetary transfers for the purposes of cross-state gaming.
That means that domestic Ohio sportsbooks and gambling operations are limited to use by bettors that are standing within state lines and cannot be utilized by anyone from within another state. Furthermore, gamblers in OH are prohibited from betting at a book located in another state.
The Federal Wire Act does not affect the offshore sportsbooks suggested on this site. The offshore sportsbooks listed here are sanctioned and regulated and able to accept US bettors from all states.
Casino And Racetracks In Ohio
If you're inside Ohio and want to find some quality places at which to gamble, then you can choose from several legit casinos and racetracks in the state. If you're around the Columbus area and want to press your luck, you can hit up the Hollywood Casino and play on over 2,500 slot machines, 80+ table games, and ante up in their huge poker room that's made up of 36 different poker tables. And that's only one of a few Hollywood locations in Ohio.
There's another in Toledo which features over 2,000 slots, 60 table games, and a 20-table poker room; and also one in Dayton at Dayton Raceway, which features over a thousand slots, harness racing, simulcast racing, plenty of attractions, and much more. Please note that none of these brick-and-mortar casino locations in Ohio offer sports betting.
The Horseshoe is also another popular spot in Ohio, and there are two main Horseshoe casino locations in Cincinnati and Cleveland. The Cincinnati venue features nearly 2,000 slot machines, almost 90 table games, and over 30 poker tables. You can also find lots of shopping, multiple dining options, top-flight hotel rooms, valet parking, and more.
The Horseshoe in Cleveland features over 1,700 slots, nearly 90 table games, and 30 poker tables in a huge poker room. This is another legitimate casino that offers great rooms, plenty of dining options, parking, entertainment, and more. This isn't Harrah's or the Venetian in Vegas or anything, but for Ohio, these are great, high-class casinos that will definitely give you plenty of betting options.
Additional Legal Ohio Sports Betting Resources
- Pro Football Hall Of Fame in Canton, Ohio
- Ohio For Responsible Gambling