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Known more for its college sports and the great city of Cleveland than its gambling and legal real money poker betting lore, Ohio has historically been opposed to gambling expansion. But due to the economic woes wrought by the financial crisis of 2008, OH, the Buckeye State, was in desperate need of a revenue generating outlet. One proposed solution: build land-based casinos and real cash poker gambling rooms. And that it did.

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Whether or not the state’s sudden change of heart towards poker gambling and real money betting will result in the passage of online poker legislation ushering in lawful Internet poker websites in Ohio is currently unknown, but Ohio and its 11.54 million inhabitants could certainly support a thriving stand-alone iGaming real money Internet poker operation.

Can I play online poker in the state of Michigan and Is online poker legal in Michigan? Michigan has had an odd relationship with gambling as it is legal, but it is also not as openly encouraged as it might be in other states. However, there are no laws prohibiting private citizens from playing online poker in the privacy of their homes. In any other setting, poker would appear to be expressly illegal when played for money or other things of worth in the state of Michigan. Is it Legal to Play Poker Online in Michigan? Michigan does not have any language in their gambling laws that deals directly with legalized online poker sites or gambling sites.

Like so many other states that recently approved the construction of land-based casinos and live real cash poker venues, Ohio is likely to take a cautious wait and see approach towards regulated online gaming and legit Internet poker. Factors such as the iGaming Internet poker market performance in New Jersey and the real cash gambling revenue generated from Ohio’s own casinos and legal poker rooms will most certainly weigh into Ohio’s decision, as will decisions made by other state governments regarding Internet gambling and real money poker websites.

But for now, Ohio’s gambling community can take solace in the fact that their state is on the precipice of great change when it comes to real cash poker gambling.

Gamblers from The Buckeye State can choose from a wide selection of our listed real money US poker sites. What are you waiting for?

Sweeping Changes in Ohio’s Gambling Landscape

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• 4 The Facts

The changes to Ohio’s gambling and betting climate began in late 2009. Feeling the pressure of a 10 percent unemployment rate, OH state officials passed Issue 3, which allowed for the construction of land-based casinos and real money poker gambling in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo ^[1]. It was the first time in five tries that an Issue legalizing gambling and legal poker expansion passed, albeit by the slimmest 53 to 47 percent margin.

Ohio’s first casino and live poker betting facility, the Horseshoe Casino in Cleveland, opened its doors in May, 2012 ^[2]. The revamped facility features a nearly 100,000 square-foot gambling arena, over 2,000 slots, 63 table games and a 30 table WSOP themed real money poker gambling room. Since its launch, several casinos have opened their doors to Ohio’s faithful poker gambling enthusiasts, and to date Ohio plays host to four full-fledged land-based real cash casinos.

In their first year, Ohio land-based casinos raked in a modest $616 million in real money betting revenues and more importantly created 6,000 new jobs ^[3].

But as welcoming as Ohio has been to brick and mortar casinos and real cash poker rooms, it has become equally intolerant of Internet gambling and lawful poker websites.

In May 2013, the Ohio Senate banned Internet cafes via an overwhelming 27-6 vote ^[4]. The reasoning behind the ban – legal online sweepstakes that offered patrons the chance to play gambling games for real cash. Unfortunately the games somewhat resembled slot machines, and were deemed a loophole for Internet Cafes to conduct iGaming and Internet poker operations.

Can Players from Ohio Play Online Poker?

Although there is no official piece of legislature that would legalize real cash online poker websites in Ohio up for consideration, there are plenty of Internet poker websites accepting real money poker players from the Buckeye State. Do note however, that not all US-player friendly poker gambling websites permit players from Ohio. But thankfully, enough do that you should have no problem finding a seat at the virtual Internet poker felt. All US poker websites on our homepage are currently accepting Ohio players.

Creating an Internet poker account is easy; 15 minutes should be more than enough time to choose a moniker, verify your identity, and make your first deposit to start gambling real money at the Internet poker tables from your home in Ohio.

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Is Online Poker Legal in Ohio?

We’re not a legal authority on lawful poker websites, and as such, can only provide our informed opinions regarding the legality of betting on online poker games like Texas Hold’em at Internet poker websites in Ohio. But what we can do is offer you a condensed, easy-to-read version of Ohio’s somewhat confounding gambling and poker betting statues. This way, if you do seek legal consul, you’ll be equipped with a better understanding of existing OH state real cash gambling laws.

Listed below are noteworthy aspects of Ohio gambling law:

• The confusion surrounding Ohio’s betting and gambling statues begins with the definition, or rather the lack thereof, of gambling. However, a definition of gambling can be indirectly inferred from the definitions of Bet, Games of chance, Games of chance conducted for profit, and Gambling device.
• Games of chance in Ohio are defined as poker, craps, roulette, or other game in which a player gives anything of value, including real money, in the hope of gain, the outcomes of which is determined largely by chance, but does not include bingo.
• Anyone that violates the long list of provisions outlined Sections 2915.02, which includes bookmaking, gambling promotion, facilitating gambling or betting activity and to engage in betting or in playing any scheme or game of chance as a substantial source of income or livelihood is subject to a first-degree misdemeanour in Ohio, and those with a prior conviction history can be charged with a fifth-degree felony. Note that the last provision could easily apply to a professional real cash gambling poker player.
• According to Section 2915.03, no person, being the owner or lessee, or having custody, control, or supervision of premises, shall use or occupy such premises for gambling or betting in violation of Section 2915.02 of the Revised Code. The penalties for running such an operation in OH are the same as those for violating Section 2915.02 directly.
• Those caught gambling at a public house (hotel, tavern, store etc.) can be charged with a minor misdemeanor. Repeat offenders are guilty of a fourth-degree misdemeanor.

Ohio’s extensive and long-winded gambling and betting statues go on to depict many more unlawful gambling and poker betting scenarios. If you wish to read more, please see the “References” section ^[5].

The Facts

The History of Gambling in Ohio

1933

1933

Pari-Mutuel betting becomes legal for horse racing as its approved by the Ohio General Assembly.

1973

1973

Lottery began in the state of Ohio due to constitutional amendment.

1974

1974

Lottery tickets went on sale for the first time.

1975

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1975

Charity bingo became legal for the first time.

1987

1987

Lottery profits are to be directed towards education funding after being approved by Ohio voters through a referendum.

2009

2009

A new referendum gets passed which legalized gambling at four new casinos spread out through the state. They were to be located in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo. These casinos were proven to be really successful and generated a large amount of annual revenue.

2012

2012

Since 1933, racetracks hadn’t really tried to add anything to boost their services, but in 2012 they started to offer Video Lottery Terminals. This technology was soon to be added to 3 more racetrack-casinos in the near future.

Despite Ohio’s long-standing anti-gambling stance, the state has a surprisingly long and storied history of gambling and poker betting. Dating back to the days of first U.S settlers in the early-1800s, travelers, miners and other blue-collar workers could be found gambling it up at one of the state’s many saloons betting real money in legal games. Gambling was particularly prevalent in towns bordering the Ohio River, going so far as to attract the attention of residents from neighboring Midwest states.

The first attempt to ban real cash betting on games of chance occurred in 1861, but given the distressed state of the Union at the time, they were hardly enforced. After the Civil War, authorities began requiring all institutions holding games of chance to possess a government issued gambling license. And by 1910, OH establishments hosting gambling activities like real money betting on Texas Hold’em poker were outlawed. Ultimately, the gambling ban did more harm than good, as it gave rise to Ohio’s burgeoning underground gambling and poker betting scene.

In 1933, largely due to the economic turmoil caused by the Great Depression, Ohio legalized pari-mutuel wagering and real cash betting on games including real money poker. It was one of the first states to do so. Over the course of the next several decades, horse racing betting laws were expanded to include the legalization of phone and off-track betting.

Voters approved the introduction of a state real cash lottery in 1973. Ohio would eventually expand its lottery operation to include a multi-state lottery. Proceeds from the real money gambling on the lottery are used to fund educational programs within the state of OH.

Charitable gambling, casino and legit real money poker nights were also legalized in Ohio. Subsequently, talks about expanding into the commercial casino and real cash poker room market began in the 1990s, but it wouldn’t be until the late 2000s – twenty years and five tries later – that Ohio would finally approve the construction of full commercial casinos and real money poker gambling venues.

Regulated Gambling Options in Ohio

Of the six most widely recognized forms of gambling: lottery, pari-mutuel, charitable, commercial, tribal and racetracks, only one – tribal – is not legal within the Buckeye State.

However, there are strict penalties for participating in unregulated gambling activities like real money poker games which are not legal, as outlined in the sections above.

Ohio poker players enjoy legal land-based games, and there’s plenty of online poker action, as the Buckeye State is a top contender to legalize online poker.

The Future of Regulated Online Gambling in Ohio

The future legality of online poker and Internet poker websites within Ohio’s state lines remains something of a mystery.

There has been a surplus of encouraging signs in the Internet poker world, most notably, Ohio’s rapid land-based real money poker room gambling expansion efforts. However, because casinos and real cash poker facilities require so much oversight, especially in their early days, OH state officials are devoting the majority of their efforts to Ohio’s existing real cash gambling revenue streams, not some speculative online operation of legal real money Internet poker websites.

And even though Ohio Lottery Director Dennis Berg has gone on record indicating that the topic of online gaming and Internet poker warrants investigation ^[6], no lawful poker website gambling bill has yet been proposed by OH state officials. Coupled with the recent Internet café ban and it appears that Ohio is in no immediate rush, nor sees an overwhelming benefit, to regulating iGaming Internet poker and gambling on real money poker websites.

That doesn’t mean online gaming and Internet poker will never come to Ohio, quite the contrary. Ohio pulls in far too much real cash betting revenue from gambling to simply disregard an alternative wagering avenue like legal poker websites in OH.

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In May 2013, the Hollywood Casino and legit real money poker room in Columbus hosted the state’s first major poker gambling tournament series. The 13-day Hollywood Poker Open featured single table satellites, super satellites and an unheard of 7-day $1,090 buy-in Main Event poker betting game ^[7].

Shortly thereafter, in September 2013, the Horseshoe Cincinnati played home to a WSOP-C, 12 event real cash poker tournament series, which culminated in a $1,675 re-entry Main ^[8].

The Bottom Line

After remaining stagnant for the better part of 20 years, Ohio’s gambling and poker betting industry is quickly picking up steam. Should Ohio’s four new commercial casinos and legal real cash poker rooms succeed, it is very likely that before long, the OH state government will at least explore the potential benefits of iGaming and lawful real money Internet poker websites. Although one gets the feeling that ultimately, Ohio’s entry into the online poker websites arena hinges on the success of New Jersey’s real cash Internet poker operation and the entry of neighboring Pennsylvania.

Time will tell, but for now, Ohio is near the top of a relatively short list of states with a realistic chance of passing iGaming Internet poker legislation into law which means gambling fans could be seeing a legal real money Internet poker website for OH players pretty soon.

References

[1] ↑Struggling Ohio Votes to Open Doors to Casinos

[2] ↑Horseshoe Cleveland, Ohio’s First Casino, Opens its Doors to the Public

[3] ↑Ohio Wraps up first year of casino gambling; payoff still taking shape

[4] ↑Why Did Ohio Just Ban Internet Cafes?

[5] ↑LaWriter – Ohio Laws and Rules

[6] ↑Is online poker headed to Ohio?

[7] ↑Hollywood Casino Columbus to Host First Major Poker Tournament Series in Ohio

[8] ↑Horseshoe Cincinnati – WSOP.com

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Massachusetts’ approximately 6.65 million inhabitants are among the most prideful citizens of any state in the nation, but when it comes to real money poker and legal gambling MA citizens haven’t got the widest range of betting options.

Home to the Boston Red Sox, the world-renowned educational institution Harvard University and the gorgeous Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts is an epicenter of culture, life and all things American, but definitely not a legit lawful poker or gambling establishment. Yet the one staple of modern American culture that is decidedly absent from The Bay State is the presence of a casino or real cash poker gambling room.

The betting and real money poker scene is about to change though. Over the course of the past two years, Massachusetts has loosened its stance on betting and gambling, so much so, that the prospect of online gambling and Internet poker coming to MA has become a real possibility. That’s great news for the real cash poker betting fans who’ve been stuck with very few legit gambling options up until now.

And although MA state gambling officials will likely finalize the state’s land-based casino and real money poker room plans before further entertaining the idea of regulated real cash Internet poker iGaming betting, Massachusetts stands a better chance than most of being one of the first ten states to open its doors to the virtual felt and provide real money poker websites for MA residents.

Those of you in The Bay State have it pretty easy going when it comes to gambling. Massachusetts punters will have no problem signing up for a real money US poker site account.

A Busy Two Years in Massachusetts Gambling History

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• 5 The Facts

Since 2011, a whirlwind of gambling and poker betting related bills and legislation have been brought before the Massachusetts government. And while most offline gambling and Internet poker bills failed to generate much fanfare, the passage of one betting bill will undoubtedly change Massachusetts’ real cash gambling landscape forever.

H. 3807 was penned into state law in late-November 2011^[1]. It allows the construction of up to three land-based casino resorts with real money poker rooms and one slots parlor. Since then, 11 Indian tribes and major gambling companies submitted proposals to have their brands associated with one of Massachusetts new casinos and poker gambling card rooms.

Of those interested in running real money poker and casino operations in MA, Mohegan Sun and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe have proven to be the frontrunners ^[2]. The two tribes, both of whom operate large real cash betting casinos in Connecticut, have upped their annual commitment to the citizens of Massachusetts, leading to Mohegan being unanimously approved by the people of Palmer Town to construct a $1 billion legal poker and casino resort within the town’s limits. The Mashantucket Pequot Tribe will be up for a gambling and betting related referendum vote as early as November 2013.

Things have been equally busy on the Internet gambling and poker website legislation front. MA State rep. Dan Winslow made an ill-fated attempt to attach online gambling legislation relating to lawful real money Internet poker to H. 3807. Shortly thereafter, he tried to amend similar Internet gambling legislation to a 2012 budget bill. Once again, his efforts to bring MA poker fans legal poker websites to play at for real cash failed. Months later, a second attempt to amend an online gambling and Internet poker clause to a budget bill was met with similar results.

In 2013, MA State Senator Minority Leader Bruce Tarr introduced S. 1826, an amendment to a transportation bill that would permit state officials to provide iGaming lawful Internet poker licenses to online gambling providers. Tarr’s amendment would ultimately be rejected in July 2013 ^[3].

Experts in the poker website industry have indicated that the time for online gambling and real money poker betting legislation in Massachusetts isn’t ripe yet, but that after ground is broken on its land-based casinos and real cash poker offerings, it will be.

Another factor possibly holding Massachusetts legislators back is New Jersey. Until the Garden State can prove to its closest neighbors that online gambling and Internet poker is a viable real money-making machine, most New England and Mid-Atlantic states, including MA, will probably hold off on passing legislation on legal poker websites of their own.

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Can Players from Massachusetts Play Online Poker?

Although there is no official law regulating Internet gaming and real cash poker websites in Massachusetts, that doesn’t mean its residents still can’t sit around in their pyjamas playing online poker at top Internet poker websites – quite the contrary. If anything, US-facing real money gambling online poker websites are more than willing to accept players from The Bay State. Take a look at our list of online poker real money website options for real cash players in MA looking for legit Internet poker websites to play at to find out which poker betting websites accept players from Massachusetts.

Is Online Poker Legal in Massachusetts?

The Internet poker gambling and real money betting statutes of most states including MA haven’t been updated since before the inception of the Internet, let alone include statues specific to online poker and playing Internet poker. Therefore, many state laws regarding iGaming poker websites are up to interpretation, with Massachusetts gambling and legal betting laws proving no exception.

With that said, there is nothing in Massachusetts gambling or poker betting statues that explicitly states online gambling and playing Internet poker for real money is illegal. But before you start celebrating and throwing your real cash poker chips in the air, it is advisable that you seek the legal consul of a professional who knows about the lawful Internet poker scene in MA.

In the meantime, we’ve dissected facets of several Massachusetts gambling and poker betting statues, in an attempt to help you make a more informed decision regarding your options when it comes to finding a real money Internet poker websites to play at in MA:

• “Gaming” not “gambling” is defined to include every act punishable under any law relative to lotteries, policy lotteries or policy, the buying or selling of pools or registering of bets. Apparently, in Massachusetts the word lottery is synonymous with betting and gambling. (Chapter 4, Section 7)
• As expected, the penalties for permitting a non legit gambling operation in MA are harsher than for merely participating in an illegal gambling or real cash betting activity. Gamblers are subject to a fine of no more than fifty dollars or [imprisonment] for no more than three months while anyone who permits a game of something like Texas Hold’em poker can do up to one year of jail time.
• Running a sizable gambling ring (Chapter 271, Section 16A) carries with it heavy levies in MA, including up to fifteen (15) years in prison and a $10,000 fine. In order to be guilty, the gambling or betting ringleader would have to be in charge of at least four persons so that such persons may provide facilities or services or assist in the provision of facilities or services for the conduct of illegal lotteries, or for the illegal registration of bets or the illegal buying and selling of pools upon the result of a trial or contest in Massachusetts.
• The use of a telephone for gaming purposes is deemed illegal. The law was probably designed to combat sports betting and not legal real money poker gambling, but it can be loosely interpreted as a blanket law that would envelop online gambling and Internet poker betting. Penalties for placing phone bets include up to a $2,000 fine and as much as one year behind bars in an MA prison.

Massachusetts features plenty (soon to be more) facilities where gambling on real money poker games is considered legal and acceptable.

To read more about Massachusetts gambling and real cash poker betting laws ^[4] and other gaming related news, check out the “References” section.

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The Facts

The History of Gambling in Massachusetts

1934

1934

Betting on horse racing and dog racing was legalized.

1971

1971

The modern lottery was created and introduced to the state of Massachusetts in 1971. The first draw took place the following year and has grew ever since.

2007

2007

The rapid growth of gambling throughout Massachusetts saw the introduction of a casino expansion bill. Unfortunately, this didn’t make it into law and was not signed by the governor.

2011

2011

A casino bill passed under the Expanded Gaming Act. This resulted in three casino resorts and one slot parlor to be built and opened.

2013

2013

Charitable gaming revenues were recorded and reportedly $66.5 million was the total annual gross from the year.

2014

2014

Potential arose for the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe to start plans on building a casino in the south eastern part of the state. This was a result of the federal tribal commission dropping objections to the proposed idea.

2015

2015

This was a big year for the state as it saw the opening of a slot parlor at Plainridge Park casino. Additionally, MGM Springfield and Wynn Everett are two casino resorts under development.

Unlike other pre-Revolutionary War colonies, the majority of Massachusetts early residents were vehemently opposed to lotteries and other forms of gambling like legal Texas Hold’em poker betting. Part of this unfavorable outlook on legit gambling in MA was likely due to the widespread presence of Puritans. By the 1800s Massachusetts’ betting stance had grown so strong that it would offer opposition to other states establishing real money lotteries and thus allowing legal gambling.

As it did in most north-eastern states, the Great Depression forced Massachusetts to loosen its haughty stance on gambling and legit poker betting, and by 1934 the State Racing Commission was created. Simultaneously, the Suffolk Downs ^[5] horseracing gambling track was built. Harness and greyhound racing tracks followed shortly thereafter. Betting real money in MA on greyhound racing has since been banned (2008).

Ironically, Massachusetts was also one of the first states to implement a statewide Lottery for its gambling hungry citizens. In the early 1970s, the state was desperately in need of a revenue infusion, and the lottery provided a welcome windfall of lawful gambling real money revenue.

Charitable and pari-mutuel betting are also legal in Massachusetts, and as of 2011 commercial casinos and real money poker gambling rooms became permissible in MA under state law. Tribal casinos and real cash poker card rooms, like those in Connecticut, are also deemed legal within Massachusetts borders.

To date, the only building labeled a casino in Massachusetts is Stockbridge Casino, which functioned as a social attraction and not a real money poker gambling facility. Today, Stockbridge Casino is a historic tourist attraction and not somewhere to go for a little real cash Texas Hold’em poker action.

Regulation Gambling Options in Massachusetts

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Just because nearly every type of gambling and betting including real money poker gambling is legal in Massachusetts, doesn’t mean MA citizens have a plethora of options when it comes to where to do their lawful real money betting. If anything, they’re usually forced to drive into Connecticut or another neighboring state to get their gambling or poker betting fix. That will change soon, as within the next several years at least one commercial or tribal casino with a real money poker room will open its doors to the public.

In addition to the imminent construction of a full-scale casino resort, Massachusetts residents can purchase real cash lottery tickets from one of hundreds of authorized sellers, or participate in various charitable or pari-mutuel gambling and gambling settings. This is a great way for poker betting fans to satisfy their gambling itches before real money poker comes to MA in full force.

Poker players in Massachusetts can pick from an array of poker websites, none of which are regulated by the state.

The Future of Regulated Online Gambling in Massachusetts

Massachusetts is one of only a handful of east coast states that could support a viable intrastate Internet poker iGaming operation. Its population rivals that of New Jersey, and Massachusetts is the sixth most visited state in the US (New Jersey is ninth) meaning MA stands to make a lot of money out of its gambling population if it opens real cash legal poker websites ^[6]. The state of MA is also open to future Internet gambling and real money poker betting compacts with Pennsylvania and California, should those states legalize regulated online gambling and Internet poker as well.

However, all of MA state’s attempts to push iGaming Internet poker legislation thus far have fallen decidedly flat. Combine that with the state’s elongated land-based casino and real money poker room expansion efforts and it could be a while before the online gambling and real cash poker websites in MA issue is taken seriously. Although, once the time is right for Internet gambling to become lawful in MA, and it seems inevitable that it will be, Massachusetts should be in full support of expanding into the Internet gambling and real money poker websites market.

Fun Fact

“Action Dan” Harrington, the writer of Harrington on Hold’em – a series of real cash poker books that has helped hundreds of thousands of aspiring gambling poker players elevate their Texas Hold’em poker games – is a native of Massachusetts, indicative by his heavy Boston accent, and authentic green Red Sox cap.

Most famous for winning the prestigious poker betting tournament that was the WSOP Main Event in 1995 and making back-to-back final table Main Event appearances in 2003 and 2004, Harrington’s notorious real money poker squeeze play was on full display on national TV, and remains one of the most memorable hands in recent legit poker history.

The Bottom Line

Massachusetts, like so many other states in the area, is proceeding with caution into the world of lawful real cash Internet poker. Until its land-based casino and real money poker gambling room arrangements are settled, do not expect an online gambling Internet poker bill to pass through MA government. Even then, if New Jersey and Delaware fail to make headway in the iGaming Internet poker and real cash gambling market, Massachusetts might abandon its tentative plans to introduce online gambling and Internet poker websites completely.

But with Connecticut determined to expand into the virtual arena of real money poker websites, and the possibility of interstate Internet poker compacts looming, the next logical step for Massachusetts would be to throw its hat into the legal real cash poker websites mix – especially since it’s already in the process of building three facilities that could legally inhabit online gaming operations and legit real money Internet poker websites.

References

[1] ↑Governor Patrick Signs Expanded Gaming Legislation

[2] ↑Two Connecticut Tribes Closer to Building Casinos in Massachusetts

[3] ↑Another Swing and a Miss for Massachusetts Online Gambling

[4] ↑Massachusetts Gaming Commission

[5] ↑Suffolk Downs

[6] ↑Statistic Brain: Tourism Stats

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