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The Grueling Truth - Where Legends Speak / Best US Online Poker Sites in 2025 / Legal Real Money Poker Sites in Ohio for 2025

Legal Real Money Poker Sites in Ohio for 2025: List of Top OH Poker Sites

Last Updated on 04/27/2025
Fact checked by: Mike Goodpaster

Poker is one of the best-known and best-loved card games of all time, with millions of enthusiastic players throughout the US. But what you really want to know is, can you play online poker in Ohio?

It’s fair to say that the laws are pretty complex, so it’s understandable that there’s quite a lot of confusion surrounding the subject. But here at TheGruelingTruth.com, we’ve been unraveling the mysteries of the Buckeye State laws to bring you the important facts about playing poker in Ohio.

Our favorite sports betting operators in Ohio

DraftKings
We recommend
4.6/5
  • Superb range of different sporting leagues
  • Effective in-play betting feature
  • Exciting fantasy team building
Bet $5 and Get $150 in Bonus Bets Instantly!
USA
USA Players Welcome
T&Cs and 21+ apply
Open DraftKings
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Deposit Methods
PayPal
VIP Preferred
Play+
+
Withdrawal
0 – 5 Days
Apps
License
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Award
EGR – Operator of the year (2023)
Show less
FanDuel
Hot Offer
4.6/5
  • Well-known company
  • Excellent range of markets
  • Clever site design
Bet $5 Get $250 in Bonus Bets IF YOU WIN
USA
USA Players Welcome
T&Cs and 21+ apply
Open FanDuel
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Deposit Methods
Prepaid Card
PayNearMe
PayPal
+
Withdrawal
1 – 10 Days
Apps
License
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Award
Global Gaming Awards (2022)
Show less
BetMGM
Hot Offer
4.5/5
  • Excellent range of sports betting markets
  • Straightforward user experience
  • Competitive odds
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
USA
USA Players Welcome
T&Cs and 21+ apply
Open BetMGM
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Deposit Methods
PayNearMe
Skrill
PayPal
+
Withdrawal
0 – 3 Days
Apps
License
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Award
GGA – Digital Operator of the Year (2023)
Show less
Bet365
4.
4.5/5
  • Excellent range of sports betting markets available
  • World-renowned brand
  • Easy to navigate
Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose when you bet $5!
USA
USA Players Welcome
Open Bet365
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Deposit Methods
Find out more on Bet365.
Withdrawal
0 – 10 Days
Apps
License
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Award
EGR – Operator of the year (2017)
Subject to meeting qualifying criteria. Minimum wager $5. Minimum odds -500 or greater. $10 minimum deposit. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. Available in app only. Max. prize, game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
Show More
Caesars
5.
4.5/5
  • Exceptional range of betting markets
  • A fluid in-play betting section
  • Competitive odds
Bet $1, Double Your Winnings Your Next 10 Bets
USA
USA Players Welcome
T&Cs and 21+ apply
Copy
Bet now
Deposit Methods
E-Check
PayNearMe
PayPal
+
Withdrawal
0 – 5 Days
Apps
License
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Show More
Fanatics
6.
4.3/5
  • Brings something new to the market
  • Solid sports betting options
  • An established name in sporting goods
Bet $30, Get $300 in Bonus Bets
USA
USA Players Welcome
T&Cs and 21+ apply
Open Fanatics
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Deposit Methods
Skrill
Venmo
PayPal
+
Apps
License
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Show More
Barstool
7.
  • First-time bettors can look forward to 100% up to $1,000 risk-free bets.
  • Barstool is available in close to ten US states.
  • Players can deposit and withdraw using a wide range of convenient banking methods.
Best Alternative
DraftKings Open DraftKings
Deposit Methods
E-Check
PayNearMe
PayPal
+
Withdrawal
1 – 5 Days
Apps
License
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Show More
Bally Bet
8.
  • Generous risk-free bet on your first real money wager
  • Additional free bet available as part of your welcome bonus
  • Simple wagering requirements and very few restrictions
USA
USA Players Welcome
T&Cs and 21+ apply
Best Alternative
DraftKings Open DraftKings
Deposit Methods
Play+
BankWire
Cash at Casino Cage
+
Withdrawal
0 – 5 Days
Apps
License
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Show More

Playing online poker in Ohio

If you want to play online poker for money Ohio throws up a number of alternatives, but they’re not all as straightforward as you might suppose. So we’re breaking our guide down into sections, showing you where you can play poker legally in the Buckeye State.

But let’s start with a quick look at the current Ohio gambling laws. Because although Ohio has previously been against any forms of online gambling, there’s been a major change, thanks to the new gambling bill. As of 1st January 2023,  Ohio sports betting has been given the go-ahead, with retail and online sportsbooks on the way.

What this means for poker fans

We’ve been examining all the latest sports betting promotions to pick out the very best ones, although that’s not a lot of help if you just want to play poker! But unfortunately, the new laws are only concerned with sporting bets, meaning that casino and poker regulations remain static, at least for now.

Have a look at the top 5 sports bookies in Ohio

DraftKings
1.
4.6/5
Bet $5 and Get $150 in Bonus Bets Instantly!
USA
USA Players Welcome
PayPal
VIP Preferred
Play+
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Bet now
T&Cs and 21+ apply
FanDuel
2.
4.6/5
Bet $5 Get $250 in Bonus Bets IF YOU WIN
USA
USA Players Welcome
Prepaid Card
PayNearMe
PayPal
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Bet now
T&Cs and 21+ apply
BetMGM
3.
4.5/5
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
USA
USA Players Welcome
PayNearMe
Skrill
PayPal
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Bet now
T&Cs and 21+ apply
Bet365
4.
4.5/5
Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose when you bet $5!
USA
USA Players Welcome
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Bet now
Subject to meeting qualifying criteria. Minimum wager $5. Minimum odds -500 or greater. $10 minimum deposit. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. Available in app only. Max. prize, game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
Caesars
5.
4.5/5
Bet $1, Double Your Winnings Your Next 10 Bets
USA
USA Players Welcome
E-Check
PayNearMe
PayPal
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Bet now
T&Cs and 21+ apply

Where to play poker in Ohio

It’s not easy to make sense of the Ohio state laws surrounding poker, but we’ve spent time reading through the rules to bring you all the important facts. So let’s get down to exploring what your options are.

Land-based poker

You have two options for playing poker face-to-face against other players, as you have a few Ohio poker rooms to choose from. The first option is to travel to one of the cities that boasts a brick-and-mortar casino, all of which have at least one poker room. These casinos usually offer exciting tournaments too, with big cash prizes up for grabs.

You can’t host a poker game in your house without having to fill in a whole heap of forms, and who has time for that? So your other legal option for accessing poker rooms in Ohio is to join a poker club. You’ll have to pay an annual membership fee, plus pay an entry fee to take part in games, but many players appreciate the informal setup, and the chance to socialize with other players.

Which option you choose is a matter of personal preference, but the cost of playing is something to bear in mind. Casinos often have a high buy-in fee to join in a poker game – it could be $100 or more – although you might find occasional games at a cheaper price. Poker clubs, on the other hand, don’t have access to the big tournaments and prizes, but buying into a game is often just a few dollars, making it much more cost-effective for players on a budget.

Online poker

Unfortunately, although you’ll now be able to claim online sports betting free bets from a few sportsbooks, the same isn’t yet true of poker in Ohio. Right now, if you want to play real money online poker Ohio simply isn’t the best place to be. But that could all change in the future – and if it does, we’ll be the first to know!

That doesn’t mean you can’t sign up to online poker sites in Ohio, as a brief online search will throw up several options. The problem is, none of them are licensed and regulated by the state, so there’s no safety net if something goes wrong. It’s difficult enough coping with a losing streak, let alone losing your entire deposit to a scam website!

We’ll keep you updated on playing poker in Ohio

We understand that it’s a little disappointing to discover that online poker in Ohio isn’t legal yet. But now that the sports betting laws have changed, there’s a glimmer of hope for poker fans in the Buckeye State – and we’ll be sure to tell you about any upcoming changes.

Until we can bring you information about the best legal online poker from Ohio, why not take advantage of the new sportsbook regulations? We’ve got some thrilling sports betting bonuses that we think will help to take your mind off online poker until it becomes legal throughout the state.

Here are some great sports betting bonuses available in Ohio!

DraftKings
1.
4.6/5
Bet $5 and Get $150 in Bonus Bets Instantly!
USA
USA Players Welcome
Min. Deposit: 5
Open DraftKings
Get bonus now
T&Cs and 21+ apply
FanDuel
2.
4.6/5
Bet $5 Get $250 in Bonus Bets IF YOU WIN
USA
USA Players Welcome
Wagering (WR): 1x Deposit, Min. Deposit: $5
Open FanDuel
Get bonus now
T&Cs and 21+ apply
BetMGM
3.
4.5/5
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
USA
USA Players Welcome
Min. Deposit: $5
Open BetMGM
Get bonus now
T&Cs and 21+ apply
Bet365
4.
4.5/5
Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose when you bet $5!
USA
USA Players Welcome
Wagering (WR): 1x Bonus, Min. Deposit: $10
Open Bet365
Get bonus now
Subject to meeting qualifying criteria. Minimum wager $5. Minimum odds -500 or greater. $10 minimum deposit. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. Available in app only. Max. prize, game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
Caesars
5.
4.5/5
Bet $1, Double Your Winnings Your Next 10 Bets
USA
USA Players Welcome
Wagering (WR): 1x Deposit
Copy
Get bonus now
T&Cs and 21+ apply

Poker in Ohio FAQ

If you’re on the lookout for legal online poker sites for Ohio residents, you need to come and check out our guides here at TheGruelingTruth.com. Just as our name suggests, we drill down in the heart of the matter, determined to bring you all the essential facts. Don’t even think about signing up to any online poker sites in the Buckeye State until you’ve seen this!

🃏Are there any online poker tournaments in Ohio?

Poker tournaments are great fun, with the chance to win some significant prizes – but are they legal in Ohio? We’ve got the details you need to know, as well as reviews and guides to make sure you always have a fun and entertaining wagering session, even if it doesn’t deliver the cards you’re hoping for. Don’t place any bets until you’ve checked out our info!

Gambling laws in Ohio are changing – and here at TheGruelingTruth.com, we’ve got our ears to the ground! We know what types of gambling are legal in the Buckeye State, and we’ve got plenty of insightful operator reviews and bonuses to share with you. Come and find out what is and isn’t legal for bettors in Ohio!

❓Can I play online poker in Ohio?

Come and discover what the laws are surrounding online poker in Ohio. We’ll tell you what’s legal and what isn’t – and we’ve got some useful advice that you definitely won’t want to miss out on! Be sure to check this out!

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