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With no legislation to play online poker in Ohio, offshore sites are a worthwhile alternative if you want to play Texas Hold’em or Omaha online. What are your best options if you live in Columbus or Cincinnati and want to play online poker without fear of breaking any state laws?
We’ve extensively reviewed the best offshore poker rooms based on bonuses, traffic, rakeback, payment options, and more. Our team of experts has unearthed the eight best venues to play online poker for real money in Ohio.
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Popular
- Freerolls
- Satellites
- Rakeback
- Mobile app
- Anonymous tables
- High traffic
Popular
100% match deposit bonus of up to $1,000
List of the Best Online Poker Sites in Ohio
- CoinPoker – #1 Poker Room in Ohio with a 33% rakeback
- BetOnline Poker – Take a seat at the $1,000 NLH and PLO tables
- Bovada Poker – Ohio Online Poker Site Offering $2 Million in Weekly Guaranteed Prizes
- BC Game Poker – Best Site in Ohio for User-friendly Poker Features
- Ignition Poker – Newbie-friendly Anonymous Tables Feature
- ACR Poker – Provides Access to Ohio Poker Tournaments Worth up to $12.5 Million
- Black Chip Poker – Play the Main CSOP Tournament Series $1,000,000 GTD
- EveryGame Poker – Earn Golden Chips as you rise through loyalty ranks
Is Online Poker Legal in Ohio?
The simple answer is no. This form of gambling is prohibited and means that players must use offshore poker sites. Licensed and regulated outside of the United States, they do not need to adhere to Ohio gambling laws, and players can play on these sites using a VPN.
Ohio Poker Laws: When Will Ohio Regulate Online Poker?
With online sports betting now legal in the Buckeye State, it looks only a matter of time before online casinos and poker rooms hit the mainstream. How soon will that be? It’s impossible to tell but you can expect legal online poker in Ohio in the next few years.
Regulations and Laws for Online Betting and Poker in Ohio
- 2022 – Having set a limit of 50 approvals (25 in-person and 25 mobile), the first proprietors’ licenses are granted.
- 2022 – The state starts to accept applications from companies wishing to offer sports betting. Applications run into the thousands.
- 2021 – The house passes HB29, legalizing sports wagering at casinos and online. It was signed off by Governor Mike DeWine, on December 22. The bill does not cover online casino gambling, and there remain no Ohio poker laws.
- 2020 – The state legislature closes its final session without voting on SB111, a bill proposed by Senator John Eklund to regulate online sports betting in Ohio.
Top 5 OH Online Poker Sites Reviewed
Now we know a bit more about the online gambling landscape in the Buckeye State, let’s focus on what we believe to be the best five poker rooms available to fans of online poker in Ohio.
1. CoinPoker – #1 Poker Room in Ohio with a 33% rakeback
- Poker Network: Independent
- Established: 2018
- License: Curaçao license No. 1668 JAZ issued by Curaçao eGaming
- Deposit methods: Cryptocurrency
CoinPoker players in Ohio have several game and wagering options, including No-limit Texas Hold ‘em, Pot-limit Omaha, and 5-card pot-limit Omaha. CoinPoker’s no-limit Texas Hold ‘em game holds the record for the biggest-ever online poker prize at $7.75 million.
Besides record-breaking poker prize pools, Ohio poker players can take advantage of the rakeback. You must have CHP tokens in your wallet to be eligible for this bonus. And if you bet using USDT, you must hold at least 50% of the amount payable in rake in CHP to cash in.
CoinPoker’s tournament schedule is super busy. You’ll find everything from ‘Signature Tournaments’ and ‘Big Stacks’ to ‘Free Buy’ events. If a big jackpot is what you are after, the flagship ‘CSOP’ tournament has a guaranteed prize fund of $1 million.
CoinPoker caters to pros and rookies alike, with an excellent range of games, table limits, and tournaments. It also has a helpful learning hub that holds expert-curated poker resources, such as a section on poker strategy.
Our Verdict: 9.8/10
Pros
- 33% Rakeback for CHP players
- $2,000 welcome bonus
- $1,000,000 CSOP tournament
- Super-fast crypto payment options
Cons
- Low traffic compared to other networks
2. BetOnline – Take a seat at the $1,000 NLH and PLO tables
- Poker Network: Chico Poker Network
- Established: 1991
- License: Panama
- Deposit methods: Debit/Credit cards, Cryptocurrencies, Moneygram
BetOnline has been in the online gambling space for over 25 years, so they know what they are doing! Their popular and trusted poker rooms carry a wide range of online poker games, including cutting-edge titles like Windfall Poker (win 1000x buy-in), Boost Poker (transfers you to a new table the moment you fold your hand), and Six Plus Hold’em (number six removed from the deck).
With more than 50 Ohio poker tournaments daily, BetOnline has enough to keep even the keenest tournament player happy. Formats include no-limit Hold’em, progressive knockouts, pot-limit Omaha, satellites, re-buys, and mystery bounty knockouts. Available 24 hours a day, buy-ins start from as little as a dollar for new players, right up to $215, with guaranteed prize pots of $20,000.
BetOnline’s poker bonuses are geared towards recreational players rather than pros. The welcome bonus is a fairly standard 100% up to $1,000, but promos like the bad beat jackpot, where a beaten AAAKK hand still gets paid out, are a big draw.
Our Verdict: 9.8/10
Pros
- Sit and Go games available
- $1,000 NLH (No Limit Hold’em) and PLO (Pot Limit Omaha) tables
- Plenty of traffic from the US
Cons
- No regular rakeback
- Relatively high rake
3. Bovada Poker – Ohio Online Poker Site Offering $2 million in Weekly Guarantees
- Poker Network: Pai Wang Luo poker network
- Established: 2011
- License: Union of the Comoros and the Central Reserve Authority of Western Sahara
- Deposit methods: Cryptocurrency, Visa, Mastercard, American Express
Bovada is another top online poker room running on Paiwangluo Poker. It offers an excellent selection of Poker gaming options, including knockout tournaments, turbo tournaments, and sit-and-go tournaments. A definite highlight is that Bovada offers $2 million in weekly guarantees. These stem from a constant flow of daily cash games and jackpot sit-and-go action.
Getting started on Bovada is easy, especially if you take advantage of the site’s inclusive poker welcome bonus. With this offer, you can claim a 100% deposit match of up to $500. While this bonus initially seems to offer less value than some of the offers presented on this page, you will have 30 days from your initial deposit to complete the wagering requirements.
Another fun fact about this bonus is that it does not have any rollover requirements and is dispersed in $5 increments for every 150 reward points you earn in poker. This means that wages placed on casino games do not count towards the poker welcome bonus, which might not sit well with poker fans who like visiting slots or table games from time to time.
Our Verdict: 9.6/10
Pros
- Has a dedicated poker welcome bonus worth up to $500
- Bovada is a long-standing site with a fantastic reputation with online poker players
- Reward point system in place to promote frequent play
- Deposits can also be processed using Visa and MasterCard
Cons
- Does not offer rakeback
4. BC Game – Best Site in Ohio for User-friendly Poker Features
- Poker Network: Independent
- Established: 2024
- License: Government of the Autonomous Island of Anjouan
- Deposit methods: Visa, Mastercard, BTC, ETH, USDT, LTC, XRP
BC Game has a good reputation in the industry, providing casino gaming and sports betting products. The site recently moved into poker with a unique product offering micro, low, mid, and high stakes. Here, you will find Multi-table tournaments, no-limit hold ’em, pot-limit hold ’em, short deck, and all-in-fold tables.
There are lots of features available on BC Game to make your gaming experience smoother. Of note is the Quick Start pop-up, which you can use to change tables and register on your desired tables in double time. This will no doubt come in handy if you want to cram in as much action as possible.
Unlike poker rooms like Bovada, BC Game does not have a dedicated poker bonus, so players must accept the standard casino welcome bonus instead. Additionally, you can earn extra BCD by verifying your email, phone, and Telegram.
Our Verdict: 9.8/10
Pros
- BCD bonus rewards are available when you verify your accounts
- Several player-friendly features are available, like full-screen mode and live stats
- Excellent UI making it easy to navigate and find tables
- Sit in on live poker games to learn how others play
Cons
- Requires a VPN to play
- No standard online poker welcome bonus
5. Ignition – Newbie-friendly Anonymous Tables Feature
- Poker Network: Paiwangluo Poker
- Established: 2016
- License: Curaçao
- Deposit methods: Cryptocurrency, Visa, Mastercard
Ignition offers No Limit Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha. It’s a site that suits beginners because you can play anonymously using a seat number for identification. This makes it harder for other players to get a reading of how you play. The welcome bonus of 150%, up to $1,500, is good, but that’s where the good news ends because there is no rakeback at Ignition.
The tournament schedule at Ignition is pretty hot. There is a guaranteed $2,000,000 available weekly and $200k of that is up for grabs in the Sunday $200k guaranteed No Limit Texas Hold’em event. Another big draw is the ‘Triple Header’, another Sunday event featuring a $10k Warm-Up event, a $75k Kickoff event, and the $150k Main event. There are opportunities to win a seat at the ‘Triple Header’ via one of the many satellite and sit-and-go tourneys.
Ignition is a newbie-facing site offering anonymous gameplay. The very useful ‘hand history’ feature means you can analyze your game over time. The welcome bonus is good and there are some huge jackpot prizes to be won in the weekly tournaments, but the lack of rakeback is a definite negative.
Our Verdict: 9.4/10
Pros
- Anonymous gameplay available
- Freerolls available weekly
- 150% welcome bonus worth up to $1,500
- Massive tournaments, some with $ 1 million guaranteed
Cons
- No rakeback
Comparison of Online Poker Sites in Ohio
| Online Poker Room | Poker Rake % | Poker Software | Rakeback | Multi Table Events | Sit and Go Events | Freeroll Events |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoinPoker | 5% | Independent | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| BetOnline | 5.56% | Chico Poker | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Bovada Poker | 5% | Paiwangluo Poker | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| BC Game Poker | NA | Independent | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Ignition | 5-10% | Paiwangluo Poker | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| ACR Poker | 5% | Winning Poker Network | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Black Chip Poker | 6 – 10% | Winning Poker Network | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Everygame | 5-6.67% | Cake 2.0 | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
30+
Poker Rooms Reviewed5
Key Criteria300+
Research Hours10+
In-House WritersOhio State Poker Tournaments in 2025
This year Ohio hosts some of the most exciting poker action in the United States, drawing both professional and amateur players looking to try their hands at the massive prize pools. Here are some of the scheduled tournaments:
Online Poker Tournament Formats in Ohio
Many top poker players are from Ohio, none more notable than David Peters, who leads the all-time money list with $46.3 million in live earnings. The 4-time WSOP bracelet winner won $6.8 million in the 2016 $200K Aria Super High Roller, which is one of his biggest career wins.
Byron Kaverman is another top Ohio player with live earnings of $20.7 million. He is famed for his 2015 WSOP $10K No-Limit Hold’em Championship first bracelet win, where he claimed $657,351.
Multi-table tournaments provide Ohio poker players with the chance to scoop a huge pot. However, this also means they attract the best players, so these tournaments are tough to win. Check out our tips on how to win at poker.
Several MTTs are available in Ohio, including the MSPT Ohio Poker State Championship at Jack Cleveland Casino and the Ohio Poker Championship at Hollywood Casino Columbus. These regularly feature massive prize pools and correspondingly high competition levels.
Satellite tournaments serve up an opportunity to bag a seat at a higher buy-in event, like the WSOP. The good thing about satellites is they are often frequented by a relatively softer field, meaning you stand a better chance of winning. Ohio has a busy satellite tournament schedule, with events such as the WSOP Circuit Ohio at Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati taking place regularly.
Single-table events where players don’t need to commit to any time or buy-ins. Simply get up and walk away whenever you want. All of our top five Ohio poker sites offer variations of sit-and-go tourneys but CoinPoker would be our top recommendation.
Knockout poker is a multi-table tournament variant where a percentage of the prize pool is dedicated to a bounty on each player’s head. Knocking out an opponent guarantees you a cash prize or ‘bounty.’ BetOnline or Ignition are big on knockout tournaments.
How Can You Qualify for the WSOP in Ohio?
The World Series of Poker is as big as it gets. It is the most lucrative poker tournament worldwide, attracting millions of eager poker players who compete for millions of dollars in prize money and the WSOP bracelet. Naturally, buy-ins at WSOP events are exorbitant, but players can take part in low-buy-in satellite tournaments that offer a budget-friendly route to high-stakes events. Ohio online poker sites offer several satellite tournaments:
Pride KazungaiGaming Expert
Big Money Online Poker Tournaments in OH
Poker Site
Event
Buy-in
Guaranteed Prize Pool
CoinPoker
T1000 Falcon
$1,000
$100,000
BetOnline
$150K GTD Main Event
$109
$150,000
Bovada
$200K Sunday
$162
$200,000
BC Game
Hold’Em High Roller
$10,000
$400,000
Ignition
Super Saturday Main Event
$109
$59,000
ACR Poker
Route 66 $100K Guaranteed
$66
$100,000
Black Chip
Sunday HR Monster
$77
$19,000
Everygame
The Myriad
$115
$10,000
Best Poker Games in Ohio
Below you can see some of the most popular types of poker played both online and offline. We include information on classic formats like Texas Holdem and Omaha and more exotic options like seven-card stud and five-card draw.
- No Limit Texas Hold’em – The most popular online poker variant. Players receive two cards face-down (hole cards), followed by five community cards separated by four betting rounds. NLH is famous for its large swings and massive pots.
- Omaha – Omaha is different from Texas Hold’em in that instead of two community cards, you receive four. Players must choose only two of these to make the best possible hand with the five community cards.
- Pot Limit Omaha – The rules are the same as Omaha but in PLO, the size of the pot determines your maximum bet.
- Omaha Hi-Lo – This game works under the same principles as classic Omaha but with a vastly different showdown. The prize pot is split (50/50) between the players with the highest and lowest-ranked hands.
- Seven-Card Stud – Players are dealt two face-down hole cards and one face-up. Three more community cards follow, with betting rounds in between. A final card is dealt face-down, initiating a final round of betting. The best FIVE-card hand wins.
- Five Card Draw – Five Card Draw is one of the most straightforward formats of poker. Each player is dealt five cards face down, one at a time. The draw leg occurs, where players can replace cards from their hands with new cards from the deck – each followed by a betting round.
Poker Variations Available at Online Poker Sites in Ohio
The table below highlights which poker games you can expect to see in our top five Ohio online poker sites.
| Poker Room | No Limit Texas Hold’em | Omaha | Pot Limit Omaha | Omaha Hi-Lo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoinPoker | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ |
| BetOnline | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Bovada | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| BC Game | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Ignition | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| ACR Poker | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Black Chip | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Everygame | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Compare Bonuses at Ohio’s Online Poker Rooms
Welcome bonuses are a big factor for online gambling sites, and poker rooms are no different. This table details the most important information about the welcome bonus at each of our top five OH online poker sites.
| Online Casino | Bonus | Bonus Code | Rollover | Minimum Deposit | Crypto accepted? | Bonus expiry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoinPoker | 100% Up To ₮1100 Bonus | N/A | 50% Rakeback (2x Playthrough | $10 | ✔️ | 60 days |
| BetOnline | 100% up to $1,000 | POKER1000 | $50 rake to release $5 in bonus cash | $50 | ✔️ | 30 days |
| Bovada | 100% up to $500 | PWB500 | For every 150 pts, $5 bonus to be released | $20 | ✔️ | 30 days |
| BC Game | 100% bonus + 400 free spins + 20 free bets | N/A | 35x | $10 | ✔️ | 7 days |
| Ignition | 150% up to $1,500 | N/A | Unlocked at a rate of $1 for every 30 Ignition Miles earned | $5 USDT | ✔️ | 180 days |
| ACR Poker | 100% up to $2,000 | N/A | For every 27.5 pts, $1 bonus to be released | $25 | ✔️ | 60 days |
| Black Chip | 100% up to $2,000 | N/A | For every 27.5 pts, $1 bonus to be released | $25 | ✔️ | 60 days |
| Everygame | 200% up to $1,000 match bonus | 1000EGP | Rake $12 in MTTs to release $5 of your bonus | $20 | ✔️ | 90 days |
Guide to Signing Up and Playing Online Poker in Ohio: An OH Poker Site Sign-Up Guide
Registering with any of the best online poker Ohio sites couldn’t be any easier. Below, we go through the steps required to get up and running, using CoinPoker as an example.
Step 1 - Visit the CoinPoker Website
Kick off the process by clicking the red REGISTER button in the top right-hand corner of the homepage.
Step 2 - Complete the Simple Registration Form
Fill in the simple registration form with your email address, nickname, and password. Click the red SIGN UP button to get your Ohio online poker login details.Download The Poker Software
Now, download the poker software app by clicking the red DOWNLOAD button. It takes just a minute or two to download to your device.Step 4 - Verify and Confirm Your Email
Finally, verify your email address by clicking on the link in the email sent by CoinPoker. You are now ready to load up your wallet and take a seat at one of the many tables.
Poker Software Used at Online Poker Sites in Ohio
The best online poker sites in Ohio provide helpful tools that you can use to enhance your gameplay and improve results. These tools help you analyze your sessions and track your gaming data to ultimately increase your winning potential. We have highlighted some of the most common poker software tools below.
Essential poker tracking software
Serious poker players require a professional tool to help them analyze sessions and provide detailed statistics to help them refine their strategies. The most popular poker tracking software includes:
- PokerTracker 4 – Detailed statistics and custom reports
- Hold’em Manager – Tracking and analysis
- DriveHUD – Dashboard for performance metrics
Advanced poker solvers
AI has also had a massive impact on poker performance measurement and optimization. Today, strategies are analyzed and optimized based on bet sizes and player ranges, among other factors.
- GTO Wizard – Evaluation of hand matchups and probabilities
- PioSolver – Equity Analysis
- Simple PostFlop – Breaks down hand interactions
Useful multi-tabling software
Ideal for high-volume play, multi-tabling software streamlines your table management experience.
- Jurojin Poker – Streamlined table navigation
- TableNinja II – Task automation
User-friendly poker HUDs
You can improve your decision-making by taking advantage of poker HUDs, which provide real-time opponent statistics.
- PokerTracker 4 HUD – provides detailed opponent statistics
- Hold’em Manager 3 HUD – Mobile supports with situational views
- Drive HUD – Features predefined HUDS with user-friendly displays
Bankroll management tools
Long-term poker success requires proper bankroll management.
- Poker Income Bankroll Tracker – Keeps track of your wins, losses, and overall performance.
- Poker Copilot Bankroll Charts – Provides detailed bankroll analytics
Leak detection and improvement
Fixing common mistakes can help you maximize your winnings.
- Poker Copilot Leak Detectors – Helps you correct recurring strategic errors
- Hand Replayers – Analyses past hands
Bonuses on Offer at Online Poker Sites in Ohio
Casinos and poker rooms offer a variety of bonus types. Here we break down some of the most popular, what they are, and who they appeal to.
| Bonus Type | Info | Perfect for |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome bonus | Typically, a deposit match on your first deposit | Poker beginners |
| Rakeback | An incentive that returns a portion of the house rake | Regulars and serious recreational players |
| No deposit | You can get this bonus with nothing down. An example is the royal flush bonus, which pays out when you hit that huge hand | Experienced players |
Online Poker in the Other US States
Final Thoughts
We love all five OH online poker sites highlighted on this page but our team of poker experts rate CoinPoker as the best available. It’s a site with a great range of games, 33% rakeback, and high-value tournaments.
If you are as impressed as us with CoinPoker, you can use the link below to sign up and unlock their fantastic $2,000 welcome bonus. The registration process takes just a few seconds and you’ll be taking a seat at your favorite poker table in no time.
Sign up To Claim 150% Deposit Bonus Up To $2,000
- The main CSOP tournament series guarantees $1,000,000 in prize money
- Low and high-stakes tables are always available, 33% Rakeback
- No KYC process, decentralized blockchain poker
Responsible Gambling
When playing online poker in Ohio, you must gamble responsibly and protect yourself by playing responsibly. If you believe that gambling is becoming a problem for you or someone you know, there are a range of resources available. Here are just three that you should find useful.
- Problem Gambling Network of Ohio
- Welcome to Ohio for Responsible Gambling
- Ohio Problem Gambling Resources
