This guide to sports betting in Ohio covers everything you need to start betting from OH without breaking any laws. Dive in for our rankings of the top ten bookies available to Ohio residents, reviews of the best betting sites, and an overview of the state’s legal sports betting and gambling situation.
The Best Ohio Sports Betting Sites List 2021
Here are our top ten Ohio sports betting sites. We spent days researching all providers and ensuring they offer a safe and reliable sports betting environment.
- BetOnline – Overall best Ohio sportsbook
- Bovada – Best for Ohio live sports betting
- MyBookie – Best sports site for Crypto betting in Ohio
- BetUS – Biggest welcome bonus in Ohio
- XBet – Fastest crypto payouts in Ohio
- Intertops – Excellent recurring promotions
- Sportsbetting.ag – Soccer specialist
- BetNow – NFL contests specialist
- GT Bets – Great variety of lines on football
- BUSR – Ohio sportsbook with great customer service
Is Sports Betting Legal in Ohio?
No. The state of Ohio doesn’t issue betting licenses. A sports betting bill that would legalize betting passed the Senate but didn’t make it through the House during the 2021 summer legislative session.
As a result, legal sports betting in the state is unlikely before late 2022, possibly even early 2023. The good news is that Michigan, Indiana, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania have regulated sports betting, so legal wagering may be just a drive away.
Online Sportsbooks
There are no online sportsbooks in Ohio. Governor Mike DeWine needs to sign a sports betting bill that would make online betting sites legal in the state, which won’t happen until late 2022.
Once the bill is passed, operators wishing to offer legal Ohio online sports betting services will need to partner with an existing Ohio casino. The bill in its current form allows up to 25 online betting licenses.
Nevertheless, many offshore sportsbooks offer online betting to residents of Ohio. These providers are licensed and regulated by overseas jurisdictions such as Curacao, Costa Rica, and the European Union. Betting with an offshore sportsbook is not against any Ohio regulations, but we advise you to exercise caution; many fraudulent offshore providers will take your money and run. Please consult our list of the top offshore bookies above for the best trustworthy bookmakers.
Land-based sports betting
There are currently no land-based sportsbooks in Ohio, and this is unlikely to change until late 2022. The good news is that Ohio borders several states with physical sportsbooks. If you’re in the mood for brick-and-mortar betting, consider driving across to Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, or West Virginia.
The current Ohio sports betting bill allows up to 40 land-based sports betting licenses. Expect a lot of brick-and-mortar betting locations once the bill passes.
Horse Racing & Off Track Betting
In Ohio, horse race betting is permitted both online and through the state’s seven racinos and a single OTB (off-track betting) location. Furthermore, video lottery terminals (VLTs) have been legal at Ohio race tracks since 2011.
The Ohio State Racing Commission regulates and oversees all parimutuel and horse race wagering in the state. Still, most mainstream horse race betting sites, such as TwinSpires and TVG, accept wagers from Ohio residents.
Of course, you can always wager on horse races through one of our recommended sportsbooks.
Here’s a list of racinos in the state:
- Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway (Dayton, OH)
- Miami Valley Gaming (Turtlecreek, OH)
- Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course (Austintown, OH)
- Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs (Columbus, OH)
- MGM Northfield Park (Northfield, OH)
- Jack Thistledown Racino (North Randall, OH)
- Belterra Park Cincinnati (Anderson, OH)
Timeline of Ohio Sports Betting Legislation
Here’s a brief outline of the push to legalize sports betting in the state:
- June 30, 2021: The Ohio sports betting bill died in The House before the summer legislative session. As a result, legal betting in the state is unlikely until early 2023.
- June 24, 2021:Senator Schuring expanded the Ohio sports betting bill to include provisions that would allow existing casinos and racinos to offer sports betting services. The amendment passed by an overwhelming 31-0 majority vote.
- June 16, 2021: The Senate passed bill SB176 with a 31-2 majority vote.
- May 6, 2021: Bill SB176 was introduced by senator Kirk Schuring. If passed, the bill would have allowed issuing 40 retail sports betting licenses. Additionally, the bill mandated that brick-and-mortar sportsbooks operate on premises reserved for sports betting, which would exclude existing casino and racino locations from offering sports wagering.
As you can see, legal sports betting in Ohio is a long way off. But it’s coming.
Offshore Betting in Ohio
Regulations pertaining to sports betting in Ohio do not prohibit wagering with offshore betting sites. Thousands of Ohio residents bet on their favorite sports using our recommended overseas bookies, and, as far as we know, not one bettor has been prosecuted or fined as a result.
However, please understand that offshore sites are not regulated within Ohio. As a result, these bookmakers lie outside the influence of OH laws and regulations. That’s why it’s essential to choose a reputable offshore bookie with a proven track record of timely payouts and fair conduct.
Consult our top ten list for secure and dependable offshore bookies.
Are DFS Legal in Ohio?
Daily fantasy sports contests have been legal in Ohio since 2018. The Ohio Gaming Commission, which oversees all DFS wagering activities in the state, has issued licenses to the following providers:
- FanDuel
- DraftKings
- StatHero
- Yahoo! Fantasy Sports
- Fantasy Golf’s OG
Only the five sites above are licensed to offer DFS services in Ohio, meaning sites such as Monkey Knife Fight, SuperDraft, Prize Picks, or Underdog Fantasy are illegal.
Ohio Casino Laws
Until 2009, Ohio only allowed horse race betting. This changed with the issuing of four brick-and-mortar casino licenses. Gambling in Ohio further expanded in 2011 with the introduction of video poker and slot machines to each of the state’s seven race tracks.
Online Casinos
There are currently no online casinos in Ohio. Still, residents of OH can join and bet with one of our recommended offshore online casinos. Overseas casinos are a gambler’s paradise and include thousands of slots, roulette variants, blackjack tables, baccarat games, and live dealer tables.
For the best Ohio online gambling experience, we recommend Wild Casino, Bovada Casino, and BetOnline Casino.
Land-based casinos
Ohio is home to four land-based casinos. There are also seven racinos, which are race tracks that feature slots and video poker machines. Unfortunately, table games are not available at racinos.
Racinos in Ohio:
- Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs (Columbus, OH)
- Jack Thistledown Racino (North Randall, OH)
- MGM Northfield Park (Northfield, OH)
- Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course (Austintown, OH)
- Miami Valley Gaming (Turtlecreek, OH)
- Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway Dayton, OH)
- Belterra Park Cincinnati (Anderson, OH)
Land-based casinos in Ohio:
- Hollywood Casino Columbus Columbus (Franklin, OH)
- Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati Cincinnati (Hamilton, OH)
- Jack Cleveland Casino (Cleveland, OH)
- Hollywood Casino Toledo (Toledo, OH)
How is Gambling Taxed in Ohio?
Gambling income is taxed at the state’s ordinary income tax rate. State-licensed gambling establishments are required to withhold 4% of player winnings in taxes; however, your actual tax rate may be lower or higher, depending on your income bracket.
Furthermore, providers withhold a 24% federal tax paid to the IRS. If the establishment doesn’t have your social security number, it may withhold as much as 28%. You can deduct gambling losses from your income when calculating federal taxes; however, you can’t deduct more than you’ve won.
Offshore betting sites don’t withhold taxes, so it is up to you to report your overseas gambling income to authorities and pay applicable taxes.
Best Ohio Sportsbooks Reviewed
Please consult our reviews of the top five offshore betting sites to learn about their strengths and weaknesses. As always, we recommend signing up with at least two bookies to expand the range of markets you can bet on.
1. BetOnline – Best Site For Sports Betting in Ohio
BetOnline is our top recommended site for sports betting in Ohio. There are several reasons for that. First, the bookie covers over 25 sports disciplines, so there’s something for everyone.
This Ohio sports betting site has over 20 years of market experience, making them one of the oldest bookies that serve bettors in Ohio. In fact, BetOnline consistently ranks in the top 50 sportsbooks that serve US customers in betting volume.
Another reason you’ll love BetOnline is the generous 100% match deposit welcome bonus, worth up to $1,000. To claim the bonus, enter promo code BOL100 while registering your free account. The sportsbook also features several recurring promotions for ative customers, including re-deposit bonuses and cashback schemes.
You can fund your BetOnline account using credit cards, bank transfers, checks, and cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. The bookie has several exclusive bonuses for players who make a crypto deposit. Withdrawals are quick without undue delays.
Overall, BetOnline is the best Ohio sports betting site on the market.
BetOnline Pros:
- Great welcome bonus and promotions
- Bitcoin and credit card deposits and withdrawals
- Lots of sports betting markets
- Live chat available 24/7
BetOnline Cons:
- Fees on credit card withdrawals
2. Bovada – Best For Live Sports Betting in Ohio
Bovada is number two on our list of the best Ohio sports betting sites. The bookie deserves praise for its high-quality streaming and live-betting platform, which works equally well on desktop and mobile devices.
Whether you prefer basketball, baseball, football, ice hockey, golf, or any other popular sport, you’ll find plenty of both live and pre-match betting options at Bovada. Sports streams are subscription-free and available in HD quality to anyone who maintains a few dollars in their bankroll or places regular wagers.
New players are treated to a deposit bonus worth up to $1,000. To redeem your reward, enter promo code BVD1000 in the registration form while creating your account. Existing players can take advantage of several recurring promotions, including horse betting and NFL boosted odds and rebates.
But perhaps the best thing about Bovada is its intuitive app design. Their platform is second to none and is a joy to bet with using any smartphone or mobile device, big or small, iOS or Android.
As far as sports betting in Ohio goes, Bovada is as good as any.
Bovada Pros:
- Best live sports betting in Ohio
- Top live sports streaming
- Low minimum bets
- Exceptional mobile application
Bovada Cons:
- Not a lot of eSports markets
- Odds can be worse than competitors’
3. MyBookie – Best For Bitcoin Sports Betting in Ohio
Coming in third on our list of the best providers of online sports betting in Ohio is MyBookie. Like our top two bookies, MyBookie features a 100% deposit match bonus worth up to $1,000. The promotion is available to all new players who enter MYB100 in the “promo code” field during registration.
Of course, the sportsbook features hundreds of markets for around two dozen sports, among them soccer, football, baseball, basketball, hockey, badminton, tennis, Formula 1, MMA, and boxing. Event coverage ranges from national majors, like the NBA and NFL, to major and minor events hosted internationally.
Once you sign up with MyBookie and take advantage of the tremendous welcome promotion, you can utilize several recurring promotions to keep the bonus money flowing indefinitely. Examples include a 250% refer a friend bonus and a 8% rebate on losing bets.
Furthermore, you can deposit and withdraw using Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, credit cards, and debit cards. If you run into trouble with your account, you’ll have a capable support team at your disposal, ready to help solve any technical issue.
MyBookie Pros:
- Great bonus variety
- Top odds on the Ohio market
- Virtual sports betting available
- Great support team
4. BetUS – Largest Welcome Bonus
When it comes to bonus size, none of the best sites for online sports betting in Ohio compete with BetUS. The sportsbook offers a whopping welcome bonus of up to $2,500 (!) to every player who enters promo code JOIN125 while signing up.
What’s more, this bonus is a 125% match, so it provides excellent value to bettors making small deposits. You can also use several reload bonuses to grow your bankroll after signing up.
Whether you’re in the mood for NBA, NFL, NHL, NFL, FIFA, Tour de France, UEFA Champions League, or the Super Bowl, you’ll find plenty of pre-game and live betting markets to choose from.
Like the other top sites for sports betting in Ohio on our list, BetUS supports credit cards and cryptocurrencies.
BetUS Pros:
- Largest welcome bonus
- Great recurring promotions
- Extensive coverage of Ohio-favorite sports
- Fast cryptocurrency withdrawals
5. XBet – Fastest Cryptocurrency Withdrawals in Ohio
XBet is the latest sportsbook to join the Ohio sports betting market. As you’d expect, the bookie allows you to wager on every popular national and international sport.
The bookmaker’s main drawback is the welcome bonus, which is capped at $500. On the flip side, the reward comes with lax wagering requirements that make it easier to clear by recreational bettors.
XBet has a great mobile betting app you can use to place pre-match and live wagers. Though not as good as the one from Bovada, the XBet app is responsive and offers a seamless betting experience on old and new Android and iOS devices. You can use the mobile app to place wagers, request withdrawals, activate bonuses, and do just about anything you can with the browser-based platform.
XBet Pros:
- Promotions perfect for beginners
- Prompt withdrawals
- Good mobile app
- Recurring promotions and boosted odds
XBet Cons:
- Welcome bonus capped at $500
Ohio Betting Sites Comparison
| Sportsbook | Number of Sports | Welcome Bonus | Live Streaming | Payment Methods |
| BetOnline | 20 | 100% deposit match up to $1,000 | No | Credit card, debit card, wire transfer, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ripple, Ethereum, Litecoin |
| MyBookie | 18 | 100% deposit match up to $1,000 | No | Credit card, debit card, wire transfer, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ripple, Ethereum, Litecoin |
| Bovada | 22 | 100% Bitcoin deposit match up to $750 | Yes | Credit card, debit card, Zelle, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin |
| BetUS | 22 | 125% deposit match up to $2,500 | No | Credit card, bank wire, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Litecoin |
| XBet | 21 | 100% deposit match up to $500 | No | Credit card, debit card, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin |
| Intertops | 17 | 100% deposit match up to $500 | No | Credit card, debit card, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Skrill |
| SportsBetting.ag | 16 | 100% deposit match up to $1,000 | No | Credit card, debit card, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple |
| BetNow | 10 | 100% deposit match up to $500 | No | Credit card, debit card, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash |
| GT Bets | 18 | 100% deposit match up to $500 | No | Credit card, debit card, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ripple |
| BUSR | 17 | 20% deposit match up to $500 | No | Credit card, debit card, Bitcoin, Litecoin |
How to Bet on Sports in Ohio
Here’s a detailed walkthrough of how you can start betting on sports in Ohio for yourself with our recommended sportsbook.
Step 1: Create a BetOnline Account
To get started, visit the BetOnline website and select the ‘Join Now’ button. Then you just need to provide a few details such as your name, email, phone number, date of birth, and a password to register your account.
Step 2: Verify Your Email
BetOnline will then send a verification link to your email address which you need to click on it confirm your identity.
Step 3: Deposit Funds
BetOnline’s accepted payment methods include debit and credit cards, wire transfer and cryptos like Bitcoin and Ethereum, so choose your preferred method and make your first deposit.
Step 4: Place Your Bets
Now you’re all signed up and have funded you account, all that’s left to do is find a decent market and set your wager!
Conclusions
There is currently no legal sports betting in Ohio, but we expect this to change in 2022 with the advent of the first retail sportsbooks. Online betting sites should follow soon after. #
Until then, you can bet safely at one of the state’s seven race tracks or sign up with our recommended offshore sportsbooks to start wagering on dozens of sports online. Sign up to BetOnline today to claim your $1,000 bonus!
Frequently Asked Questions on Ohio Sports Betting
Can you bet on sports in Ohio?
You can bet on sports in Ohio using one of the offshore sportsbooks we recommend on this page. There are currently no sportsbooks licensed and regulated by the State of Ohio.
When will sports betting be legal in Ohio?
Based on what we know, regulated sports betting in Ohio is unlikely before late 2022.
What sports betting sites are legal in Ohio?
You can bet on horse races and DFS contests. You can also join one of several safe and reliable offshore sportsbooks and wager on just about every sports discipline in the world.
Is FanDuel sportsbook legal in Ohio?
No. FanDuel can offer sports betting services only in states with regulated sports betting; Ohio won’t be such a state until at least 2022. Nevertheless, the FanDuel DFS platform is available in OH.
What is the best sportsbook in Ohio?
Based on our research, the best offshore sportsbook that caters to Ohio residents is BetOnline. There are no bookmakers regulated in Ohio.
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