Legal Sports Betting In Ohio

Ohio is a great state for sports fans. Not only is the Buckeye state home to the first professional baseball team, the Cincinnati Reds, it is also the site of the Pro Football Hall Of Fame. Buckeye State residents who are fans of NFL and MLB have many choices when it comes to Ohio sports betting, but they do not have any land-based sportsbooks to visit. Well, they can thank their lucky stars for online sports wagering sites. Buckeye State residents will find plenty of great internet-based betting options that are licensed, legitimate, and legal.

These online wagering venues are the real deal, featuring so many different sports that your head will spin. They always post the most current odds, and the lines come faster than anywhere else. You can make all kinds of different types of wagers, including straight bets, totals, parlays, teasers, and pleasers. The real value of an online wagering venue is in the exclusive features on display. For example, every new player will receive an exclusive welcome bonus of up to 50 percent on their first deposits. In fact, there all kinds of other promotions available, include reduced juice and reload bonuses. If portability is your thing, mobile betting is the answer to all your prayers. You can bet from any location using your mobile phone.

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Is Sports Betting Legal In Ohio?

Yes, you will find plenty of legal options to bet on sports in Ohio. Just because there are not any state-approved sportsbooks in the Buckeye State does not mean that the well is dry. The reason you cannot find any bookmaking operations in Ohio is because federal law stipulates that Nevada and Delaware are the only states that can have state-approved books. Your options are either to visit one of these two states, or to play the odds online.

The reason that you can lawfully bet at an internet-based wagering page is because these books function outside of the United States. US law does not apply to books based in Canada, Costa Rica, Panama, etc. In addition, no law exists that forbids a US citizen from placing a wager with a legitimate site. If that were the case, millions of sports bettors would be in jail right now. The only reason for these laws in the first place is to cut down on betting-related organized crime, meaning illicit bookmaking and mob activity.

Are There Any State Laws That Affect Sports Betting In Ohio?

Parsing through the legalese of the Ohio state code can be a tough slog. Luckily, we have read and analyzed all the jargon so you don’t have to. We have decoded and translated the lingo for your convenience. We are about to take you step-by-step through some of the most important sections of the code. Section 2915.01 defines various terms related to betting. “Bookmaking,” “bet,” and “scheme of chance” are three such definitions. The next part of the section details exactly what constitutes a game of chance. Next, “electronic devices” and “charitable organizations” are defined. The section goes on to talk about bingo, state lotteries, and slot machines.

Section 2915.02 sets the rules and regulations regarding gambling. The code says you may not engage in bookmaking or any other games of chance where profit is involved. It is also against the law to engage in betting as a source of income, or to operate any gambling device. For the most part, the law prevents anyone from using betting as a way to make money. You will only be in violation of the law if you are in the business of taking bets. The law does not single out individuals for making bets. The next part of the section permits certain games of chance if they meet specific requirements.

Section 2915.03 makes it so an individual cannot operate a betting house. This is a misdemeanor offense. The next section, 2915.04, prevents an individual from engaging in public gaming. This includes betting in hotels, restaurants, taverns, stores, etc. Section 2915.05 deals with cheating and corruption in sports. Under this section, it is not permissible to engage in any kind of behavior designed to change the outcome of a bet or game. The overarching theme here is: they are going after criminal bookmakers that try to set up shop in the state, not the casual bettor like yourself.

More: Read About Federal Laws

# 1

Bovada

Does Bovada Accept Players From Ohio?

If you wanted to be a part of the action, you don’t need to travel outside of Ohio for sports betting. Even though the federal government has locked down betting venues to a couple states, you can take your picks to the internet for legal wagering on the NFL or any other professional league. Bovada has offerings on over twenty different sports and with so many listings, you’re guaranteed find your favorite teams. The Kahnawake Gaming Commission from the Mohawk Territory has licensed them to facilitate bets from players around the globe, so this Canadian based sportsbook is authorized to accept bets from many American users.

Bovada has many easy methods for getting your funds in and out of the sportsbook. If you’ve got a Visa, MasterCard, or Discover, you’re going to be able to load your account, instantly, and get out with paying less than 7% in processing. The minimums are relatively low, but if you’re looking for some method that will process your larger sums, you need to consider setting up a bank wire transfer. This a great method for both deposits and withdrawals and allow you to make larger transactions without coughing up a dime in fees.

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CONS:
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# 2

SportsBetting

Does SportsBetting Accept Players From My State?

There are plenty of great teams in the US that are guaranteed to run the table, and if you’re a fan of making money on sports, you need to check out SportsBetting.ag. These sites were built to give anyone a convenient place for wagering without worrying about the legal troubles that come with using unauthorized bookies. Tangling with an unlicensed bookmaker could land you behind bars, but since international books like SportsBetting.ag are hosted from outside the US borders, our federal government can’t shut them down. You don’t need to worry about the security of your money, because this site is locked tight with security features.

When you make an account at SportsBetting.ag, you’re going to have the options to opt in to a welcome bonus that adds an additional 25% match to your account. There are many different promotions that can stack your bank roll and they aren’t limited to new members. The reason that most players return to this site over and over again is for the lifetime bonus where returning members can receive an extra 25% of their deposits in free plays in the sportsbook.

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# 3

BetOnline

Will BetOnline Take Players From Ohio?

Any resident in Ohio can start betting on sports today by becoming a member at BetOnline. This site has millions of players from all over the planet and many players are from right here in the buckeye state. With so many lines, it’s possible to find some favorable odds on your favorite teams from around the country. Lines from all four major leagues are available at this sportsbook and you can get started without paying a dime in membership fees. Plus, with their convenient deposit methods, you won’t need to worry about the safety and the speed of having your account set up. You can deposit by credit card, wire transfer, or through an e-wallet and get into the betting action quickly.

BetOnline has been in business since 1991 and they’re allowed to offer real wagering action to Americans without the worry of getting anyone in trouble. American politics have gotten in the way of domestic operators, but not a single government entity stands in the way of bettors and their international bookies. The federal government doesn’t have any laws that prohibit anyone from using an online sportsbook, and until the laws change, BetOnline can be your number one spot for safe betting.

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Sports Betting FAQ’s For The State Of Ohio

List Of Popular Sports Teams In Ohio

  • Cleveland Browns (NFL)
  • Cincinnati Bengals (NFL)
  • Cleveland Indians (MLB)
  • Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA)
  • Cincinnati Reds (MLB)
  • Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL)
  • Columbus Crew (MLS)
  • Ohio State Buckeyes
  • Cincinnati Bearcats
  • Ohio Bobcats
  • Dayton Flyers
  • Kent State Golden Flashes
  • Akron Zips
  • Toledo Rockets
  • Youngstown State Penguins
  • Miami (OH) RedHawks

Final Thoughts On Legal Sports Betting In Ohio

You may bemoan the lack of available bookmakers in the Buckeye State, but you are not alone. All states with legal sports betting except for Nevada and Delaware have a lack of state-supported books. It doesn’t much matter, though, because Ohio residents can easily and freely play the odds at an online wagering site. Signing up is free, easy, and takes just a few moments of your time. All Buckeye State residents who are 21 and older are welcome to join.

Are Daily Fantasy Sports Legal In Ohio?

You will not have any problems playing daily fantasy sports in the Buckeye State. Although Ohio does have regulations on certain gaming sites, daily fantasy sports is exempt because it is a game of skill, not a game of chance. DFS takes quite a lot of sports knowledge, and not anyone can just randomly pick some players and expect to win big. You have to know something about team history and statistics.

More: States With Daily Fantasy Sports

There is only one law that really applies to daily fantasy sports. It is called the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), and all it does is limit how money can be transferred from an online gaming site to another account. However, as mentioned earlier, DFS is skill-based, and so is exempt from UIGEA regulations. With millions of people playing daily fantasy sports, it is unlikely that anything bad will happen.

More: Legal Daily Fantasy Sites

# 1

DraftKings

Does Draftkings Accept Ohio Players?

DraftKings is a daily fantasy sports paradise, a place where Ohio players can pick the best of the best in order to create the ultimate team. Unlike regular ole’ boring fantasy sports where you were stuck with the same team for a whole season, with daily fantasy sports you can pick a brand new team before every new contest! You have a much better chance of getting your cash cow with DraftKings. As long as you are at least 18, any Ohio residents can sign up.

At DraftKings, you will see some great games and contests. The most popular are guaranteed tournaments, 50/50s, and head-to-heads. Guaranteed tournaments always pay out the entire amount of the pool, no matter how many players enter the game. 50/50 tournaments reward the winning top half of contestants with prize money. In head-to-head contests, one players faces off against another. There are other fun tournaments as well, but these three are the most common.

Deposits: Rated 5 Stars
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