Can I Play Online Casinos in Ohio?

Ohio looks to become the 8th US state to offer iGaming with two bills proposed in recent days.

At the moment, those in Ohio can only access sweepstakes casinos and those real money casinosites holding international licenses.

Senate Bill 197 is entitled "Legalize, tax internet gambling; make other Gambling Law changes". The 700-page bill would authorize three types of online gambling — internet gambling, iLottery, and online betting on horse racing.  Its primary sponsor is Ohio state Sen. Nathan Manning, R-North Ridgeville.

“It is important to highlight that online gambling is already occurring in the state of Ohio,” Manning said during his sponsor testimony last week in the Senate Select Committee on Gaming. “It is difficult to quantify an exact number, but it is clear there is significant illegal online gambling going on in the state, as there was illegal sports betting before it was legalized.”

House Bill 298 has a similar title to its companion bill "Legalize, tax internet gambling; make other Gambling Law changes".  It's sponsors are Ohio state Reps. Brian Stewart, R-Ashville, and Marilyn John, R-Richland County.

There is overlap with the bills. Both pieces of legislation would regulate online gambling through the Ohio Casino Control Commission and internet gambling would start by March 31.

Nearly all of the tax proceeds from internet gambling would go to the state’s general revenue fund and 1% would go to the Problem Gambling Fund.

Ohio currently legalizes sports betting, both retail and online. 

By  Gilbert Horowitz Gilbert is the esteemed reporter for Gambling911 covering all gamuts of the industry.  He has been with the site for the better part of a decade.  Gilbert works out of the Miami Beach bureau.