Ohio Online Poker Rooms
Is Poker Legal In Ohio?
Poker is legal in Ohio when played at licensed casinos such as Hollywood Columbus, JACK Cleveland, and Hard Rock Cincinnati. These venues operate under the oversight of the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) and the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC 3772), which outlines rules for poker rooms, dealer licensing, and compliance standards. Charitable poker events are also legal if conducted by licensed nonprofits under ORC 2915.07, with strict rules on prize limits, registration, and gameplay.
Ohio’s stance on online poker is found under ORC 2915.02(A)-(B), which makes it illegal to operate unlicensed gambling enterprises. While social games played with no rake or house advantage are permitted under ORC 2915.02(D)(1), this does not apply to real-money online poker. Offshore sites remain unregulated, but sites like Ignition and BetOnline provide safe, legal, high-end options for users looking for where to play poker in Ohio.
What Is Legal Poker Age In Ohio
In Ohio, the legal age to play poker is 18, according to Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2915.01. This applies to casino gambling, as well as online poker. If an underage player is caught gambling, they could face penalties, such as fines or other criminal charges.
Live Poker Rooms In Ohio
| Poker Room | Tables | Address | Phone Number | URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollywood Casino Columbus | 34 | 200 Georgesville Rd, Columbus, OH 43228 | (614) 308-3333 (poker room: 614-308-3350) | www.hollywoodcolumbus.com/casino/poker |
| Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati | 30 | 1000 Broadway St, Cincinnati, OH 45202 | (513) 250-3150 | casino.hardrock.com/cincinnati/poker |
| JACK Cleveland Casino | 25 | 100 Public Square, Cleveland, OH 44114 | (216) 297-4777 | www.jackentertainment.com/cleveland/casino/poker |
| Hollywood Casino Toledo | 19 | 1968 Miami St, Toledo, OH 43605 | (419) 661-5185 (poker room direct) | www.hollywoodcasinotoledo.com/casino/poker |
| Shark Tank Poker Club | 6 | 1508 Bethel Rd, Columbus, OH 43220 | (614) 432-5333 | www.sharktankpokerclub.com |
| Ship It Poker Club | 4 | 3120 Park Dr, Sandusky, OH 44870 | (419) 502-1010 | www.shipitpokerclub.com |
| Reserve Poker Club | 3 | 3620 Reynolds Rd, Toledo, OH 43615 | (419) 779-1215 | www.reservepokerclub.com |
Closest Live Poker Rooms
Whether you’re in a major metro like Columbus or Cleveland, or closer to Ohio’s smaller cities, there’s likely a poker room or club nearby.
- In Columbus, poker players can visit Hollywood Casino Columbus, the largest poker room in the state, with 34 tables and a wide variety of cash games and tournaments. Also in Columbus is the Shark Tank Poker Club, a more intimate venue with 6 tables, catering to players looking for a local, membership-based experience.
- Down south in Cincinnati, the Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati provides a vibrant poker scene with 30 tables. Its downtown location makes it easily accessible to city residents and those coming in from northern Kentucky. This venue is one of the most popular poker rooms in Ohio.
- In Cleveland, players can head to JACK Cleveland Casino, which offers 25 tables and is conveniently located in the heart of downtown. It’s the go-to poker destination for players in Northeast Ohio, offering both daily cash games and regular tournament schedules.
- Toledo has a couple of options for poker players in Northwest Ohio. Hollywood Casino Toledo features 19 tables and provides a full-service poker experience similar to the other Hollywood-branded venues in the state. For a smaller, local vibe, the Reserve Poker Club offers a 3-table setup and focuses on a community-based, club-style poker environment.
- Players near Sandusky have access to the Ship It Poker Club, a 4-table private club offering a grassroots alternative to the larger casino settings. Though smaller in size, it is convenient for players in the northern part of the state looking for legal live poker.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) On How To Play Poker In Ohio
Can You Play Poker At Home For Money?
In Ohio, home poker games are permitted as long as they are not conducted for profit. According to Ohio Revised Code § 2915.04, gambling is prohibited in public places, but private games are allowed. Furthermore, § 2915.01 defines a "game of chance conducted for profit" as one designed to produce income for the operator. Therefore, private poker games without a rake or house fee are legal.
Can I Play On BetMGM Poker In Ohio?
BetMGM Poker is not a poker site available for Ohio residents. While sports betting is legal and active in the state, real-money online poker remains unregulated, and BetMGM has not yet been launched locally. BetMGM Poker could become a top option if they did, as players in states with poker like Michigan and New Jersey already enjoy cashback rewards, 3-player Sit & Gos, and much more. The Daily C-Note (a nightly $100 tournament) is always a classic, but Ohio residents are on the outside looking in.
Is Ignition Poker Legal In Ohio?
Ignition Poker is legal to play in Ohio, as there are no state laws prohibiting residents from accessing offshore poker sites. Since Ignition operates outside of U.S. jurisdiction, Ohio players can safely and legally enjoy its offerings. Join anonymous tables, which help level the playing field against pros that use tracking software. The site also hosts massive guaranteed tournaments every Sunday, including the $200K GTD. A crypto-friendly site for players looking for fast online poker deposit methods and a zero-fee withdrawal structure, it’s a strong option for casual players.
Is Bovada Legal In Ohio?
Bovada Poker is legal for residents of Ohio, with a similar status to that of Ignition. However, Bovada does not accept players from Ohio. As covered by our experts in our review of poker at Bovada, the site has stopped accepting players from numerous jurisdictions around the country, including Ohio. Ignition and BetOnline are excellent alternatives for playing online poker in Ohio.
Is BetOnline Poker Available in Ohio?
Ohio law does not prohibit playing online poker on offshore sites, making BetOnline Poker a legal site in Ohio. BetOnline offers a 100% welcome bonus and 8 days of free tournament entries, making it one of the most generous poker sign up bonuses in the US. Its Mystery Bounty Jackpot tournaments and $150K monthly leaderboard rewards keep the action consistent. The site’s HUD tool and Boost games cater to players who like data-driven or high-speed poker.