As an Ohio resident, there is a good chance that you have played at a local casino or even used an online sports betting site to bet on the Buckeyes. Even with a large number of bettors within the state, we still get frequent questions regarding Ohio gambling laws and statutes.
While you already know that some forms of gambling are legal within the state, it still is beneficial to learn more about the specific laws that are in place and how gambling is regulated. There are by-laws that govern gambling in Ohio on both a state and federal level, and both categories of the law are equally as important to learn. Being informed on the legalities associated with how to gamble in Ohio will make you a more well-informed bettor, and also increase your knowledge on the forms of betting that are available to you.
Take your time in reading our brief guide to the gambling statutes in Ohio. We will cover the A to Z of OH state laws, federal laws, legal gambling age, and safe online gambling.
As a resident of Ohio, the best place to start when exploring gambling laws is from a state level. The important state gambling laws in Ohio can be easily located by viewing Ohio Revised Statutes Chapter 2915. While all the information in the chapter is related to gambling, there are some laws that are more pertinent than others. In the section below you will find the laws most relevant Ohio gambling laws and a brief explanation of each.
O.R.C. 2915.01(D) - This first article gives definitions to all the terms that will be used throughout the entire gambling chapter. The most important definition within this statute is that of games of chance. The law reads that craps, poker, roulette, and other games whose outcome relies heavily on chance fall under the definition. Bingo is specifically excluded from the statute.
O.R.C. 2915.02 - This section outlines what constitutes gambling in Ohio and the penalties imposed upon those participating in illegal gambling. It states that no person may engage in betting or bookmaking, nor facilitate the exchange of information relating to games of chance. The statute also discusses what forms of limited gambling that charitable organizations are permitted to participate in. Charities are able to legally host bingo, raffles, and games of chance.
O.R.C. 2915.04 - The law prohibits individuals from placing bets in public areas such as hotels, restaurants, etc., and also makes it illegal for the owners of these establishments to permit gambling activities. What makes this law interesting is that it does include a caveat expressing that the statute does not apply to businesses that are authorized for gambling. This lets you know that there are legal forms of betting within Ohio within approved establishments (e.g. casinos).
O.R.C. 3772.01 - Chapter 37 of the ORC contains all of the laws concerning casino gaming in Ohio, but O.R.C 3772.01 gives specific information on what is considered an authorized casino establishment. This statute defines everything from casino gaming, to the types of permitted slot machines and table games. Statutes that include “Definition” in the title are excellent reference guides to use when interpreting the corresponding Chapter.
The state law information that we have provided should give you a base understanding of gambling regulations in Ohio. That being said, our summary of the statutes is just one interpretation of the laws surrounding betting in the state. We always encourage individuals to read the full version of the Ohio Revised Statutes in order to form their own opinions. You can find an unedited version of the rules by visiting the site below.
Look Up All The Gambling Laws In Ohio - Click Here
While there may be entire chapters dedicated to state laws, it is relatively simple to identify the federal laws affecting gambling and online gambling in Ohio. The laws that every USA player should be aware of are the Wire Act, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, and the Unlawful Internet Gambling Act. These three laws have all impacted the gambling industry in different but equally important ways. Continue reading to learn more about these acts, and how they relate to gambling in Ohio.
18 U.S.C. 50-1084 The Wire Act – The Wire Act of 1961 is one of the earliest federal laws that impacted the sports betting industry. The act states that no gambling business can legally use a wire communication to assist with the transmission, receipt, or facilitation of interstate wagers or bets on sporting events. As sports betting was one of the most profitable markets for the criminal underworld during the time period, lawmakers thought it wise to limit their ability to collect bets and therefore prevent the spread of illegal interstate gambling. The original intent of the act was to assist states with enforcing their individual gambling laws, though in current times the law has in some ways affected US operators establishing online gaming sites.
28 U.S.C. 178-3701 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act – The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 is the federal law that changed the future of sports betting in the USA. The law prohibits states from issuing sports betting licenses and operating sports betting establishments. The only states that can legally offer land-based sportsbooks are Nevada, Delaware, Montana, and Oregon due to the sports wagering operations that were in place long before the law was enacted. Unfortunately for Ohio residents, PASPA means that there are no land-based sportsbooks coming to the state. The upside is that there are plenty of online sportsbooks that accept Ohio residents.
31 U.S.C. 5361-5366 The Unlawful Internet Gambling Act – The Unlawful Internet Gambling Act of 2006 is one of the most misunderstood federal gambling laws. This is in part to the title of the law which implies that internet gambling is illegal. It is important to be aware that the act does not criminalize online gambling, but instead limits banks from processing any transactions that are associated with online betting. The Federal Reserve Board and U.S. Treasury have made it so that the designated payment systems (checks, wire transfers, ACH, money transmittals, and credit/debit cards) used by financial institutions must be able to block gambling transactions. While the UIGEA might lower your chances of having a credit card get approved at an online gambling site, the best gaming sites will offer plenty of alternative funding options.
When it comes to legal gambling in Ohio, always keep the minimum gambling age in mind. The number will vary depending on what type of gambling you are interested in. At the age of 18 you can legally bet on the lottery, play bingo, and place pari-mutuel wagers. If you are interested in casinos and poker rooms, you must wait until you are 21-years old or older to play. With the casino age requirement that is in place, you should also wait until you are 21 to join an online sports betting site.
Our outlook on legal online gambling in Ohio is that you can use an internet gaming site without concerns of being penalized. Ohio law does not mention the internet or outlaw online gambling in any shape or form. We are not legal experts and there may always be a slight risk when choosing to gamble, but all in all joining an online casino, betting with an online sportsbook, or becoming a member of an online poker room will not be breaking any laws.
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