As we move into 2026, the landscape for online casino gambling, or iGaming, in Ohio is marked by cautious interest and legislative hurdles.
Although neighboring states have embraced iGaming, Ohio continues to tread carefully in expanding its gambling laws.
Land-based casinos, sports betting, and the lottery are all legal in The Buckeye State, but real-money online casinos remain outside Ohio's legal framework. This means any website offering real-money casino games to Ohio residents operates outside state law.
For now, Ohioans looking for gambling options can legally enjoy retail casinos, racinos, regulated sports betting, and the state lottery.
As a workaround, some players resort to sweepstakes casinos or social casinos. These platforms use virtual currencies like Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins, providing a legal, albeit limited, alternative to real-money gaming.
Legislative Efforts and Challenges
In the past year, legislative efforts to legalize online casinos in Ohio centered around two bills: House Bill 298 and Senate Bill 197. These bills, introduced in 2025, aimed to create a legal framework for iGaming, but neither secured enough support for a vote.
House Bill 298, proposed by Representatives Brian Stewart and Marilyn John, sought to limit iGaming licenses to Ohio's 11 existing casinos and racinos. Despite projections of $400-800 million in annual tax revenue, it also included a ban on sweepstakes-style websites, aiming for a launch by March 31, 2026.
Conversely, Senate Bill 197, sponsored by Senator Nathan Manning, envisioned a broader market that would invite out-of-state operators at higher costs. It expanded to include online lottery and horse racing and suggested tax rates of up to 40%.
Both bills generated debate, highlighting their potential to boost tax revenue while also raising concerns about problem gambling and the impact on physical casinos.
Why Ohio's Online Casino Efforts Stalled in 2025
Efforts to advance iGaming legislation faced several obstacles, starting with Governor Mike DeWine's strong opposition.
The governor cited risks of increased gambling addiction, pointing to upticks in helpline calls following the legalization of sports betting. Resistance from some brick-and-mortar casino operators and shifting legislative priorities further stalled the bill's progress.
Currently, there are only seven states that have legal online casinos:
But many wonder if Ohio will soon be added to this list.
Will There Be Online Casinos in Ohio in 2026?
As we look to 2026, the path for legalizing online casinos in Ohio remains unclear.
Although discussions could reignite during this legislative session, significant momentum is lacking. Ohio lawmakers may look to neighboring states like Michigan and Pennsylvania, where iGaming has yielded substantial revenue, as potential models. However, no immediate changes are expected until after the gubernatorial election in November 2026, with Governor DeWine's term ending in January 2027.
Industry analyses now categorize Ohio as a "watch list" state concerning iGaming legislation. While the introduction of HB 298 and SB 197 reflects underlying interest, both bills require considerable political shifts and softened leadership stances to advance.
All in all, while adding online casinos in Ohio holds potential interest, significant obstacles remain. Lawmakers have laid the groundwork, yet the current climate lacks the political will to move forward.
For now, Ohio remains in a "bills introduced but stalled" phase. Any future changes will hinge on post-election leadership dynamics and potential shifts in legislative priorities. As of 2026, Ohio's iGaming horizon is a subject of cautious observation rather than immediate action.
