Online Poker in Ohio - Best OH Online Poker Sites 2025
Ohio is one of those states that doesn’t get the credit that other large states do, but it does have some fairly bustling cities with affluent populations. These well-off populations of notable size have allowed the live poker market to grow substantially in the last few years and supply a ton of players for online poker in Ohio too.
Something that has not seen a lot of movement up to this point though has been regulated Ohio online poker. While it might be something that appears in the future, that is still a few years away at the earliest, so the citizens of Ohio shouldn’t bank on it right now. Luckily, they still have great choices at the moment with offshore sites, like Ignition Casino Poker, providing their full services to the state.
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2. Online Poker Legal? 3. Best OH Poker Sites 4. How to Play Online Poker
5.1. Game Selection 5.2. Cashier Methods 5.3. Bonuses & Promos 5.4. Rakeback
6.1. Ignition 6.2. SB Poker/BOL 6.3. ACR Poker 6.4. CoinPoker 6.5. Everygame 6.6. SwCPoker 6.7. Nitrobetting
7.1. B&M Poker 7.2. Poker History 7.3. Famous Poker Players 7.4. Alternatives to OH Online Poker
Top Online Poker Sites in Ohio
As someone who's looking for a place to play Ohio online poker, it's in your best interest to only consider those companies that are sound. Our experts have compiled an enumeration of the leading reputable internet poker rooms, which are presented below.
Is Online Poker Legal in Ohio?
The Ohio statutes governing gambling are exceptionally long, but making them easier to read is the fact that there are tons of definitions given for the specific words used in the laws. We're getting our information from Title XXIX, Chapter 2915 of the Ohio Revised Code, which is entitled “Gambling.”
While some of the provisions of OH law seem like they could be used against internet poker enthusiasts, the truth is that the laws are not employed in this manner in the real world. To date, nobody has ever been charged or arrested for any crime as a result of playing online poker for real money in Ohio.
At the federal level, it's a similar story. The UIGEA and other restrictive anti-gambling laws penalize the owners and operators of internet gaming parlors, not regular players.
Therefore, there's no reason to worry, from a legal perspective, if you wish to log on to the software of your choice and play a few hands of Ohio online poker.
Best Ohio Online Poker Sites
We've done the hard work of researching all the reputable sites for online poker in Ohio, and we've presented our list of trustworthy picks below. Whichever one of them you wind up joining, you'll be assured of fair gameplay, smoothly functioning software, and the prompt payment of your winnings.
- Ignition Casino - Most traffic and quickest-clearing bonus.
- SB Poker - Excellent mobile and Mac software.
- BetOnline - Bad Beat Jackpot, leaderboards, and other promos.
- ACR Poker - Biggest tournaments in terms of players and prizes.
- Coin Poker - World's leading crypto-only poker site.
- Everygame - Excellent bonus + promotional value.
- SwCPoker - Most poker variants available to play.
- Nitrobetting - Bitcoin poker with rakeback rewards.
- BlackChip Poker - Alternative to ACRPoker for players looking to set up another account on same network.
- Juicy Stakes - Great poker and casino promotions.
- True Poker - Another alternative to ACRPoker and BlackChip Poker.
How to Play Online Poker in Ohio
It's not to hard to get started playing internet poker in Ohio. We've included instructions below for signing up to our #1 recommended room for real money online poker in Ohio, Ignition Casino. However, the general idea remains the same at any site though there may be some differences in the order of the steps or the specific words show on screen.
- Use our Ignition Poker signup link to go to the Ignition website.
- Fill out the registration form that appears in your browser. Resist the urge to supply false personal information. When it's time to request your first payout, you'll likely have to go through the account verification process, and any discrepancies in your details could lead to account termination.
- When you've completed the form, click on the “Register” button on the bottom of the page.
- Ignition may send you a text message to verify your phone number. Enter the code sent to you into the appropriate field on the Ignition website.
- Now that your account is created, it's time to browse over to the cashier and make your first deposit (we recommend using Bitcoin for this).
How We Evaluate Ohio Online Poker Sites
Because there are numerous Ohio online poker providers, we have established a set of criteria that we use to determine which ones are best. They each excel in some areas while lacking in others, so this list of factors that we consider helps us rank them against each other.
Game Selection and Stakes
The most popular types of poker, No Limit Hold'em and Pot Limit Omaha, can be found at virtually every poker destination online, but other formats, like HORSE, Razz, and Big O, are not universally spread. Besides just the variants available, there are great differences in the stakes offered ranging from nano-stakes games with the big blind denominated in pennies to high-stakes affairs with blinds well into the hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Several newish forms of poker, like fast-fold cash games, lottery-style sit-n-goes, and multi-day tournaments, may be present at any particular poker site. However, other rooms lack some of these gimmicky games.
Deposits and Withdrawals
All online cardrooms let you deposit and cashout via a number of old-school payment methods, like credit cards and money orders, but they all also support more modern payment infrastructure. We recommend Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies because they feature low fees and fast transaction speeds as compared to legacy cashier channels.
If you are not yet a Bitcoin user, then you can find out how to get started with this detailed BTC walkthrough.
Promotions and Bonuses
Nearly every internet poker room for Ohio welcomes newcomers with a first deposit bonus. Then as you continue playing you may be treated to redeposit bonuses, freerolls, loyalty points, leaderboards, and other rewards extended to loyal customers. Some of these goodies are only available for a limited time while others are more-or-less permanent promotions.
Online Poker Rakeback
Rakeback is one of the most lucrative promotions offered by several sites for online poker in Ohio. It's an ongoing rebate on the rake you pay while playing at the tables. We appreciate the benefits of rakeback so much that we have included it in the name of our website, Professional Rakeback. Check out the rakeback deals available to Ohioans below:
- ACR Poker – 27% rakeback paid on demand
- CoinPoker – 33% rakeback paid weekly (must hold CHP token)
- Everygame – 36% rakeback paid daily
- SwCPoker – up to 50% rakeback (volume dependent)
- Nitrobetting – up to 35% rakeback paid monthly (volume dependent)
- BlackChip Poker – 27% rakeback paid on demand
- Juicy Stakes Poker – 36% rakeback paid weekly
- True Poker – 27% rakeback paid on demand
Reviews of Online Poker Sites for Ohio
We realize that you might want to have more to go on when deciding on an Ohio online poker site than just our word. That's why we've pored over both the strengths and weaknesses of the leading rooms for poker in Ohio and have presented our findings below. You can thus make an informed decision as to where to play.
Ignition Poker
Deposit Methods
Credit Card, Voucher Code, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin SV, Litecoin, Ethereum, Tether, MatchPay
Pros
- Highest Poker Traffic
- Fast-clearing bonuses
- Easily beaten opposition
Cons
- No seat or table selection possible
Review
Ignition is the largest site for U.S. poker players, a testament to the esteem in which it's held by the poker-playing community. Part of this is due to the recreational player model, which consists of anonymized gameplay and an automatic seating algorithm. These aspects of the room annoy some pros because it blunts their advantage, but on the other hand, it leads to some soft games because novice players feel comfortable playing here.
Cash game formats, including NL Hold'em, PLO, and PLO/8, are available featuring blinds up to $10/$20. Other notable offerings include fast-fold Zone Poker, sit and gos, lotto-inspired Jackpot SNGs, and a multitude of multi-table tournaments. Ignition features a weekly MTT guaranteeing a $150,000 prize pool.
Ignition Poker offers a downloadable poker client for Windows and Mac systems as well as a browser-based version of the software, which is compatible with virtually any modern computer, tablet, or mobile device. New players can get a Bitcoin poker bonus equal to 150% up to $1,500 of their first deposit.
SB Poker/BetOnline
Deposit Methods
Credit Cards, Person to Person, Money Orders, Bank Wire, Cashiers Check, Bitcoin, Avalanche, Binance, Bitcoin Cash, Cardano, Dogecoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Polygon, Ripple, Shiba Inu, Solana, Stellar, Tether, Tron, USD Coin
Pros
- Very fast crypto payouts
- Superb mobile software
- Attached casino, sportsbook, and racebook
Cons
- High rake
- Bonus clears slowly
Review
SB Poker and BetOnline are sister sites on the Chico Poker Network. They're home to a NL Hold'em, PLO, PLO/8, 5 Card PLO, and 6 Card PLO cash games up to $5/$10. The CPN houses the most impressive Bad Beat Jackpots available for NLHE and PLO. Fast-fold Boost Poker, multi-table tournaments, sit and gos, and randomized Windfall SNGs are also available.
Leaderboards for cash games and SNGs alike can also help grow your bankroll. So can the RISE rewards program and frequent missions that you can complete for free goodies.
SB Poker and BOL are available for download on any Windows or Mac system. Android and iOS users can also access the poker room utilizing a well-designed mobile application. You can receive a poker bonus of 100% up to $1,000 as well as other valuable promos in the attached sportsbook and casino.
ACR Poker
Deposit Methods
Credit Cards, Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, Tether, Money Transfer
Pros
- Sizable multi-table tournaments
- $10 no deposit bonus (use bonus code PRB10FREE)
- Weekly leaderboards for cash game and SNG grinders
Cons
- No play money tables
Review
ACR Poker is the second-largest poker site available to U.S. players. ACR is the place to play if you enjoy tournaments as it boasts a comprehensive selection of multi-table tournaments across all buy-in levels. Sit-and-gos, cash games across numerous blind levels, and fast-fold Blitz Poker are also popular offerings at ACR. Anyone looking to play for practice chips will be out of luck, though, as ACR has no type of play money poker.
ACR Poker is available to download on any Windows or Mac system. Mobile users can access an instant play version of the site too. Our exclusive ACR bonus code PRB10FREE is valid for a $10 no deposit bonus to get started. You will also receive a 100% bonus up to $2,000 after making your first deposit.
Coin Poker
Deposit Methods
Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether, CHP, Polygon, BNB
Pros
- Busiest crypto-only poker room
- 33% rakeback available
Cons
- No types of poker other than Hold'em, PLO, and 5 Card PLO
Review
Of the endless online poker sites operating using only crypto, CoinPoker is the largest and the most heavily trafficked. Tables at CoinPoker are denominated in USDT, or Tether, but you can utilize a few additional cryptocurrencies, like BTC and ETH, to deposit and withdraw your funds.
The CoinPoker client runs on almost any type of device including desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. You'll receive a deposit bonus of 150% up to $2,000 when you sign up. You will receive 33% rakeback too if you invest a small sum in CHP, CoinPoker's proprietary coin.
Everygame
Deposit Methods
Credit Card, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Lightning Bitcoin, Litecoin
Pros
- 36% rakeback
- Many and varied promotions
Cons
- Only a few games running at a time
- Outdated software
Review
Everygame is not as busy as its larger competitors, but it makes up for its smaller player pool by offering numerous valuable promotions. 36% rakeback is standard, and other bonuses, including rake races, reload bonuses, overlay tournaments, and a top-tier VIP program make Everygame an excellent choice for players in Ohio.
Everygame Poker is available to install on Windows PCs. Users of other hardware can play utilizing an instant play version that is compatible with almost any modern computer, tablet, or mobile device. The welcome bonus for poker is 200% of your first deposit up to $1,000.
SwCPoker
Deposit Methods
Bitcoin
Pros
- Tons of poker variants offered
- No rake at microstakes
Cons
- Low player volume
Review
SwCPoker is an online poker site that utilizes BTC (Bitcoin) for all poker play and its cashier operations. SwC is recognized for offering an extensive array of unique poker variants including Mixed Games, Draw Games, and more. Another benefit here is that micro-stakes tables pay zero rake.
SwCPoker is fully compatible with PC, Mac, iOS, and Android systems. You won't receive any first deposit bonus here, but you will be able to earn up to 50% rakeback, based on your total volume of play.
Nitrobetting
Deposit Methods
Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ethereum, Tether, USD Coin, BNB
Pros
- In-browser play with no download required
- Up to 35% rakeback
Cons
- Only Hold'em and PLO games
- Low player liquidity
Review
Nitrobetting is a Bitcoin-only poker site and betting platform that offers impressively quick cashouts. Nitrobetting’s browser-based poker software results in widespread compatibility across a multitude of devices including desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. There's no poker bonus here, but you can get up to 35% monthly rakeback depending on how much you play.
Facts About Ohio's Poker Industry
The sections below will serve to provide accurate information detailing the live gambling venues available for playing cards in Ohio, the history of gambling and poker in the state, and famous Buckeye poker players.
Live Poker
Ohio has seen some of the biggest changes in approved land-based gambling of any state in the past decade. This is largely due to the fact that commercial casinos have been built and heavily promoted. This has allowed a lot of the traditional casino power to move into the state and become part of the economy in the major cities.
Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati (formerly JACK Cincinnati) may be the best brick-and-mortar venue for card players. It has 30 tables, which offer No Limit Texas Hold'em and Pot Limit Omaha up to $25/$50 as well as the occasional table of low-stakes LO/8 or LHE. Hard Rock runs daily tournaments with buyins of $100 and $200, and it sometimes hosts big series, like the Moneymaker Poker Tour and the Cincinnati Poker Open.
Another option is membership-based cardrooms, which circumvent the laws against for-profit gaming by charging neither rake nor tournament fees.
Seven racinos operate in Ohio, but they only allow pari-mutuel betting and slot machine gaming. There are no tribal gambling facilities anywhere in the state perhaps because there are no federally recognized Indian tribes in Ohio.
History of Gambling in Ohio
Heading into the 20th century, it appeared as though real money gaming was destined for extinction in Ohio. But then Prohibition occurred. Driven by bootlegging profits, gangsters diversified into other enterprises, including gambling.
The Mayfield Road Mob, including Frank Milano, ran gambling dens in Cleveland and Toledo. There were periodic vows by officials to wage battle against these mobsters, but somehow they always seemed to be a step or two ahead of the law. Even smaller cities, like Youngstown and Steubenville, hosted houses where illicit games could be had.
Perhaps jealously eyeing the receipts of these unauthorized businesses, the legitimate leaders of the state opted to legalize pari-mutuel racetrack betting in 1933. Then in 1973, a state lottery was allowed followed in 1975 by charitable games.
In 2009, the Ohio General Assembly voted to license four commercial casinos, and then in 2011, racetracks were permitted to add video lottery terminals. The newest additions to regulated gambling in the Buckeye State were daily fantasy sports, which became legal when Governor John Kasich signed the relevant bill into law in December 2017, and sports betting, which was legalized in December 2021 for both retail and online operations with the passage of House Bill 29.
Famous Poker Players From Ohio
Ohio is pretty distant from Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and other traditional poker epicenters, but there are nevertheless several famous players who hail from the Buckeye State. The king of these Ohio poker grinders was probably Centerville native David Edward “Chip” Reese who unfortunately passed away in 2007. Reese amassed more than $4 million in tournament winnings over the course of his career, which is even more impressive when you take into consideration that he was primarily a cash game player.
Byron Kaverman, from Fort Jennings, is another OH poker practitioner of note. He got his start dabbling in poker in high school during the early 2000s. Kaverman has earned one WSOP bracelet: the $10,000 six-max event in 2015 for which he picked up $657,351. He has 24 other WSOP cashes, including a fifth-place finish in the 2018 Big One for One Drop $1,000,000 buy-in tourney: good for $2,000,000. In total, Byron Kaverman has won nearly $20 million in his live tournament poker career.
Alternatives to Registering Your Poker Account in Ohio
Maybe you are fortunate enough to have another address in a nearby state, whether it be your business address, summer home, second apartment, family home, etc. If so, then you may have other online poker options available. Here is a list of the states that border Ohio and Professional Rakeback's review on each of them: Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. For more information on internet poker in general throughout the United States, head over to our USA online poker guide.
Ignorance is rife regarding online poker in Ohio, but you can do something to reduce it. Please think about sharing this page with any of your friends and family who play poker but are unfamiliar with their options for playing over the internet.
Summary of Online Poker in Ohio
Ohio legal officials have never gone after individual online poker players, so you can participate in Ohio online poker without worry. Check out our list of top-rated online poker sites in Ohio, and then find a solid place to play the poker games you appreciate the most over the internet.
Responsible Gaming
Internet poker can be an entertaining way to spend a couple of hours once in a while, but if you find yourself consumed by the games to the point that it negatively affects other areas of your life, then you might require some assistance. Below is a list of problem gaming resources available in Ohio:
- Gamblers Anonymous
- National Problem Gambling Helpline
- Ohio for Responsible Gambling
- Problem Gambling Network of Ohio
Frequently Asked Questions
When it comes to online poker in Ohio, there are plenty of questions that our readers sometimes have. We've attempted to answer them below so that you don't need to go elsewhere for the info you seek.
Ohio has not passed any online poker legislation. In fact, there have never been any such laws introduced in the legislature. Therefore, there are no internet poker rooms that have received the seal of approval from the state leaders. This means that all the online poker sites that accept Ohio residents are based in offshore jurisdictions.
Yes, it's effectively legal for individuals to play internet cards in the State of Ohio. The state's relatively weak anti-gambling laws are never enforced against ordinary players. At the federal level, the Wire Act doesn't apply to any type of online gambling besides sports betting, and the UIGEA therefore is irrelevant also when it comes to online poker. In any case, these federal laws target those running the gaming sites, not individual players.
Yes, PokerStars is a fully legal poker site for Ohio citizens. Unfortunately, you can only play for practice chips. You see, as part of the settlement that the company reached with federal prosecutors in the Black Friday lawsuits, it agreed to abandon the real money U.S. market apart from those states in which it's explicitly authorized to transact. Ohio is not one of these states.
Global Poker has developed a sweepstakes poker model that it says keeps it from running afoul of federal and Ohio state laws. We're not so sure. A thorough treatment of this subject is beyond the scope of this page, but you can learn more about it in our review of Global Poker.
Mobile poker is one of the trends in the industry that shows no signs of reversing any time soon, so it comes as no surprise that many internet poker sites are able to run on smart devices. You might have to download an app, but other mobile poker rooms simply require you to point your web browser at the appropriate URL to begin playing from your phone or tablet. Ignition, Bovada, SB Poker, and ACR Poker are a few of the operators who welcome mobile users.
Moving money around for Ohio online poker used to be somewhat of a headache, but crypto-currency has basically solved these issues. With fast transaction times and low fees, it's ideal for real money online gaming.
Bitcoin is the most mainstream of these coins, but there are several alternatives. Ethereum gambling over the internet is certainly feasible, and you'll also have no trouble getting started with Bitcoin Cash for online betting.
Additional Resources
Anyone in Ohio who wants to read up more on gambling-related topics will probably find the following resources invaluable:
We strive to maintain this information and update it frequently with our research. However, we are not immune to making mistakes or omitting information that you, dear reader, may find of use. If you have any further questions not addressed in this guide or have noted any discrepancies or inaccuracies we urge you to contact us with your questions and concerns so that we may swiftly address them!