The Buckeye State allows sweepstakes casinos to operate as long as they offer free prizes and ensure real money purchases aren’t necessary. Since online casinos haven’t been legalized in Ohio yet, legal sweeps casinos in this state offer a similar experience and a chance of winning real cash.
Ohio Sweepstakes Casinos
At SweepsKings, we’re committed to ensuring casino enjoyers from the Birthplace of Aviation know everything there is to know about the best Ohio sweepstakes casinos. In this article, you’ll get to learn about what makes Ohio sweeps casinos legal, where to play your favorite casino games, and more importantly, how to win sweeps coins and convert them to money.
SweepsKings treats readers like royalty. Our team works around-the-clock to source you with honest and in-depth information on sweepstakes casinos. Our reviews, guides, bonuses, and coverage are based on hands-on testing and 100+ years of combined industry experience.
We may receive financial compensation if you play at the legal sweepstakes gaming sites we advertise. Still, our content remains impartial to financial or outside influence and is guided solely by our ethos, research, and industry knowledge.
List of Legal Online Casinos in Ohio (Sweepstakes)
Ohio Gambling Laws: Online Casino Legal Updates
Until 2009, casinos were illegal in the Buckeye State until the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) updated its Revised Code and allowed land-based casinos and racinos to launch and operate within its borders.
One of the first real money casinos to open in Ohio was the Hollywood Casino, which launched in May 2012 in Toledo, Lucas, and months later in Columbus, Franklin. Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs was among the first racinos to open in Ohio with upward of 2,000+ video lottery terminals. Dozens of other land-based casinos followed suit in the years to come, including Jack Cleveland Casino, Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati, MGM Northfield Park, Miami Valley Gaming, and more.
Since then, other forms of gambling have been legalized in Ohio, with the most notable being gambling at horse racing, lottery, bingo, keno, and social casino venues.
This is all outlined in the constitutional amendment Article 15, section 6 and further cemented by Ohio’s Legislative Service Commission’s revised code, Chapter 2915 (2013). These documents highlight “permitted” and “forbidden” activities in the world of gambling, but the information about the legality of online casinos and sweepstakes casinos as the newest forms of gambling is quite vague.
Fortunately, the federal Lottery Law laid the groundwork for social casino rules by establishing the famous “no purchase necessary” law. It effectively dictates that sweepstakes platforms (casinos, terminals, etc.) must ensure that players can participate in sweeps prizes without spending their own money.
Section 109:9 of the revised code, otherwise known as the “Sweepstakes” section, currently has only one chapter (109:9-1), which dictates the rules for sweepstakes registration, application for a certificate of compliance, monthly reports, and semi-annual reports. These chapters provide detailed definitions of how to launch a sweepstakes platform and who can do it. Essentially, US citizens or registered companies with clean financial and criminal records who file a $200 fee meet the main requirements.
Section 2915.02 of the revised code is a general legislative article that briefly expands on the legality of sweepstakes casinos in Ohio, with the most important points being:
- B: “(It is prohibited to) give to another person any merchandise prize or a redeemable voucher for a prize, the wholesale value of which exceeds $10 and which is awarded as a single entry for playing or participating in a sweepstakes.”
- F: “Any person desiring to conduct or participate in the conduct of a sweepstakes shall first register with the office of the attorney general and obtain an annual certificate of registration by providing a filing fee of two hundred dollars.”
Regarding the first rule, most sweeps casinos in the Buckeye State have pegged their promotional entries (sweeps coins) to the US dollar at a rate of 1:1 (or lower) to ensure they’re operating within legal limits.
The “certificate of registration” issued by the attorney general is not to be confused with a casino license, which is issued by the OCCC. Sweepstakes casinos must have a certificate, but unlike online casinos, they don’t need a license to work.
Ohio laws stretch across its borders, meaning that casinos based outside of the United States aren’t affected by them. You may come across numerous offshore sweepstakes casinos where you can register and play for sweeps prizes, but we warmly advise against doing so since you won’t have many legal options to back you up should a dispute arise.
Ohioans can legally enjoy casino games at sweepstakes and social casinos that abide by the “no purchase necessary” laws. That should be music to your ears, given the illegal status of online casinos despite legal online sports betting launching in 2023.
How You Can Play Slots and Casino Games in Ohio
Since online casinos are currently banned in Ohio, many players turn to offshore casinos. US laws don’t bind these platforms and aggressively advertise their service (often illegally); even though they’re readily available and far more visible than your brick-and-mortar venues, most offshore casinos have a tarnished reputation and offer little if any player protection to Ohioans.
Social casinos, on another hand, are in the legal gray zone but they’re not as attractive since they only support playing slots for entertainment purposes – no cash prizes here.
The best way to legally enjoy slots and casino-style games in the Buckeye State is to look for legitimate sweepstakes casinos. If you’re at least 18 years old, you can set up a free account, claim bonuses, play for prizes, and redeem your sweeps coins for real cash.
At Ohio sweepstakes casinos, you’ll be using gold coins and sweeps coins. Gold coins (GCs) are the same currency that social casinos use, meaning that you can use them to play for fun or demo games that you’ll eventually play for sweeps coins. Speaking of which, the latter holds monetary value and can be redeemed for real cash prizes or gift cards.
Sweeps coins, however, are treated as bonus funds. You’ll need to meet the bonus rules to make them redeemable, which typically means that all of your SCs must be wagered at least once. Before making a redemption request, you’ll be required to meet the minimum sweeps redemption threshold (usually 50 or 100), which is the lowest amount of redeemable coins that must be in your balance before a prize can be issued.
You can easily register at legit Ohio sweepstakes casinos by using our secure links. Tap “sign up” at your chosen casino and fill out the registration form, and you’ll receive free in-game currency to start playing.
Legal Ohio sweeps casinos offer dozens of gaming options, from classic and video slots to megaways and jackpots, to feature spins, table games, and more; at certain sweepstakes casinos like Stake.us you’ll even get to play live dealer games.
How are sweepstakes casinos legal in Ohio?
Sweepstakes casinos have several unique features that make them legal in states like Ohio where online casinos are prohibited.
At sweeps casinos, players receive free in-game currency (sweepstakes coins) via promotions, bonuses, contests, and other events that can be converted into real money after all the bonus rules have been met.
Online casinos use a more straightforward system – pay cash to get credits, and convert said credits into cash. Since real money is directly involved, online casinos are required to have a casino license. On the other hand, sweepstakes casinos can operate without one, but they still need a registration certificate.
Even sweepstakes casinos are required to abide by legal gambling age laws, so if you’re playing from Ohio, you can only participate in sweepstakes casinos if you’re at least 18 years old.
Overview Of The Best Sweepstakes Casinos in Ohio
If you’re unfamiliar with the sweeps casino options in Buckeye State, our team at SweepsKings has shortlisted the top five best Ohio sweepstakes casinos. Here’s a quick overview of the cream of the crop in the industry:
- WOW Vegas: boasts a massive catalog with over 1,200+ games from popular i-gaming vendors like Pragmatic Play, Betsoft, Habanero, and more.
- Stake.us: widely considered the ultimate crypto casino, it offers 7+ crypto redemption methods, a variety of original games, and tons of unique challenges.
- Sweeptastic: a treasure trove of promotions ensuring you’ll always have access to plenty of free sweeps.
- TaoFortune: the top sweepstakes casino for fish game enjoyers.
- Jackpota: a favorite sweeps casino of slot connoisseurs, Jackpota partnered with 10+ leading slot developers to bring you the best games in the industry.
WOW Vegas – Best Overall
- Legal in Ohio? Yes
- Welcome Bonus: 250,000 WC + 5 SC
- Number of Games: 1,200+
- Virtual Currencies: Wow Coins and Sweeps Coins
- Payment Methods: Skrill, Trustly, Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Diners Club, Discover, JBC, Union Pay
Launched in 2022 by WOW Entertainment Limited, WOW Vegas is among the best-rounded sweepstakes casinos available to Ohioans. With over 1,200+ games, including slots, table games, originals, megaways, jackpots, and feature spins, it pushed the envelope in the i-gaming industry.
Besides a massive slot catalog, WOW Vegas also offers abundant bonuses to both new and regular players. You’ll receive 250,000 WCs and 5 SCs upon registration, but don’t forget to also use the daily login, referral, reload, and mail-in bonus to bank dozens of free sweeps coins.
Stake.us – Best Crypto Payments & Redemptions
- Legal in Ohio? Yes
- Welcome Bonus: 250,000 GC + 25 SC
- Number of Games: 950+
- Virtual Currencies: Gold Coins and Stake Cash
- Payment Methods: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple, Dogecoin, Tether
A crypto pioneer in the sweepstakes industry, Stake.us brings 950+ exciting games from Pragmatic and Hacksaw, as well as numerous originals, to the table. Besides being one of the few legitimate crypto sweeps casinos, it’s also renowned as one of the rare platforms that supports live dealer games.
By signing up, you’ll receive 250,000 gold coins and 25 Stake Cash, but plenty of other bonuses are available, including but not limited to the mail-in, VIP rakeback, Guess the Game, giveaways, Slot battles, and many others.
Sweeptastic – Best Promotions
- Legal in Ohio? Yes
- Welcome Bonus: 20,000 Lucky Coins + 1 Sweeps Coin
- Number of Games: 1100+
- Virtual Currencies: Lucky Coins and Sweeps Coins
- Payment Methods: Visa, Mastercard, Discover, Diners Club, Instant Bank Transfer
There are good sweepstakes casino bonuses, and then there are Sweeptastic bonuses. This platform has a barrage of offers for its regular players, such as Happy Hour refills, Reload Mondays, a hefty first-purchase bonus, and a well-structured VIP program complete with an array of exclusive perks.
By registering and verifying a free account, you will be eligible to claim a whopping 20,000 Lucky Coins + 1 SC.
TaoFortune – Best Fish Games
- Legal in Ohio? Yes
- Welcome Bonus: 250,000 TC
- Number of Games: 400+
- Virtual Currencies: Tao Coins and Secret Coins
- Payment Methods: Visa, Mastercard, Discover, Apple Pay, Online Banking, Gift Cards
If you’re looking for action-packed fish shooter games, TaoFortune is what you’re after. This sweepstakes casino was among the first to introduce this type of games to the sweeps casino industry with titles like Ice & Fire Fishing, Fishing Kingdom, and Thunder Fishing.
As soon as you sign up, you will receive 250,000 free Tao Coins. Open Magic Boxes to grab up to 250,000 TCs and 500 SCs each day, and don’t forget to use the mail-in bonus to cash in 100 Secret Coins for free whenever your balance drops to zero.
Jackpota – Best Slots
- Legal in Ohio? Yes
- Welcome Bonus: 7,500 GC + 2.5 SC
- Number of Games: 800+
- Virtual Currencies: Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins
- Payment Methods: Visa, Mastercard, ACH checks, Gift Cards
Jackpots, Hold & Spin, Spin & Win, Megaways, Tumblers, Cascading Slots, Feature Spins – these are just some of the many gaming options you’ll get to choose from when playing at Jackpota Casino.
This sweeps casino was launched in 2024 by B-Two Operations, and it quickly rose to the upper echelons by partnering with i-gaming devs like Pragmatic, NetEnt, Playson, 3 Oaks, Relax Gaming, Evoplay, and several other companies. Use our links to sign up, and you’ll receive 7,500 GCs and 2.5 SCs for free.
Why Our Experts Selected These Brands
Hundreds of sweepstakes casinos are Ohio-friendly, and yet we’ve decided to shortlist only five. At SweepsKings, we only recommend casinos that have earned our Seal of Approval after months of testing and research, and to do so, our experts followed a rigorous set of criteria, prioritizing sweeps casinos that:
- Are owned and operated by legitimate, reputable companies
- Offer popular, provably fair RNG-tested games
- Support quick and safe payment methods
- Offer round-the-clock customer support
- Abide by all Ohio sweepstakes rules
Our team has conducted in-depth research and testing operations at all of the five recommended sweepstakes casinos. They’ve excelled in virtually all fields of performance and outclassed contemporary alternatives by a long stretch, which was the primary reason they were chosen.
How Payments Work
The system of payments and redemptions at sweepstakes casinos is a bit different compared to real money and online casinos for several reasons.
First of all, only sweeps coins can be redeemed for cash prizes, but that can only be done after meeting the bonus rules:
- The playthrough/rollover requirement indicates that all sweeps coins must be wagered a certain number of times, which typically floats in the range between 1-3x.
- The minimum redemption threshold dictates the minimum amount of redeemable sweeps coins that you must have in your balance before issuing a redemption request. The industry average is 100 SCs for real cash prizes and 50 SCs for gift cards.
You can get more sweeps coins via bonuses and promotions, but you can’t purchase them directly (as this is forbidden by law). To circumvent this issue, most Ohio sweepstakes casinos will allow you to buy gold coin packs and will award some sweeps coins for free with your purchase. Here’s an example of popular GC coin pack offers at WOW Vegas:
To buy gold coins (and receive free sweeps coins), you will usually need to verify your account. This is typically done by opening the “Redemption” tab and choosing “Get Verified” or “Verify My Account”. A standard know-your-customer (KYC) verification check includes the following:
- Your full name and address
- Phone number
- A photocopy of a government-issued ID (e.g. driver’s license or a utility bill)
- A photocopy of the chosen payment medium as proof of ownership
Once that is done, all you need to do is open the in-game store and select the gold coin pack you wish to buy. Bear in mind that each casino supports different payment methods; for example, Stake.us is a crypto-exclusive casino while platforms like WOW Vegas and Fortune Coins support a range of non-crypto payment methods like Skrill, credit/debit cards, and online banking.
Any sweeps coins you may have received from your GC purchase will again be considered bonus funds. Wager them the specified number of times to make them redeemable, and once you’ve reached the minimum redemption limit, you can request a cash prize or a gift card.
To claim your prize, you will usually need to navigate to the “Redeem” or “Redemption” tab, which can be located in your Profile section if a standalone button doesn’t exist.
You will then see your total sweeps balance, redeemable sweeps, and unplayed sweeps. If your redeemable sweeps coins balance meets or exceeds the minimum redemption limit, you can submit a redemption request. If you purchased any gold coins before redeeming any prizes, the chances are that the casino will use the same payment medium to issue your prize, if applicable.
Note that while gold coin purchases are processed instantly, you will usually need to wait a bit until your redemption request is evaluated and processed. The speed of transactions varies from casino to casino, but cryptocurrency redemptions are typically the fastest, followed by credit cards, and e-wallets.
Can you win real money playing sweepstakes casino games?
The main draw of sweepstakes casinos is that real money can be won, or rather real cash prizes can be claimed by converting redeemable sweeps coins once all the bonus rules have been met.
This is typically done by changing the gameplay mode from Gold Coins to Sweeps Coins, as illustrated below:
As soon as you start playing with sweeps coins, you will gradually make “rollover progress”. For every sweeps coin wagered, you will convert one “unplayed” coin into a “redeemable” token. Note that some sweepstakes casinos in Ohio have rules that impose limits on which games contribute toward the rollover progress.
As a rule of thumb, reaching 100 redeemable sweeps coins makes you eligible for a real cash prize. Noteworthy exceptions where real money prizes can be claimed at lower redemption limits include Stake.us, Chanced Casino, Loyal Royal Casino, and DingDingDing Casino.
Your Gaming Options at Ohio Sweepstakes Casinos
Each OH sweepstakes casino has a different i-gaming library, but nearly all platforms offer slot games. Several unique platforms like High 5 Casino and DingDingDing make their own games in addition to partnering with other slot makers.
If you’re looking for table games like blackjack, baccarat, poker, or roulette, you should feel right at home at casinos like WOW Vegas or Pulsz.
Live dealer games are fairly rare in Ohio sweepstakes casinos, but you can find some at High 5 Casino, Stake.us, Chanced, and BetRivers.net.
Fish games are another popular type of sweepstakes games, but they aren’t as widespread as slots. The best platforms where you can find them include Fortune Coins, NoLimitCoins, Funrize, and TaoFortune.
Explore our reviews of Ohio sweeps casinos if you want to learn more about which gaming options are available to you, and which games pay the best.
Bonuses and Promotions at Ohio Online Casinos
While online casinos may sometimes offer a no deposit bonus, sweepstakes casinos are required to do so to abide by the “no purchase necessary” law. However, welcome bonuses at sweeps platforms are slightly smaller compared to real money and online casinos.
The “welcome bonuses” that all OH sweeps casinos award vary dramatically in size from one platform to another, so it’s important to know what to expect. For example, Fortune Coins will give you 650,000 free gold coins and $14 worth of sweeps; the Stake.us welcome bonus awards 250,000 gold coins and $25 in free Stake Cash; High 5 Casino is among the rare platforms that give $5 worth of free sweeps, but only 250 game coins.
We also recommend you check out other free promotions that your chosen sweepstakes casino has to offer, which may include some of the following:
- Daily Login/refills: collect some free currency upon signing up once a day.
- Mail-in (AMOE) bonus: send a postcard to the casino’s owner to receive free sweepstakes coins.
- Referral Bonus: invite friends to join the casino using your unique referral link; usually awards significantly higher GC + SC rewards compared to standard bonuses.
- First Purchase Bonus: most sweepstakes casinos offer one-time discounts on select GC packs.
- VIP Bonuses/perks: gain progressive boosts to your daily refills and gold coin purchases, as well as unique benefits like rakeback or dedicated support manager.
- Social Media Bonuses: giveaways, drop codes, contests, tournaments, and various other contests, usually hosted on the casino’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and/or TikTok.
Comparison of the Best Ohio Casinos with Real Cash Prizes
Ohio Sweepstakes Casino | Welcome Bonus | Games | Best Feature | Apps |
---|---|---|---|---|
WOW Vegas | 250,000 WC + 5 SC | 1,200+ | A huge gaming library; superb promos for regular players | No (Instant Play) |
Stake.us | 250,000 GC + 25 Free SC | 950+ | A variety of crypto redemption methods; Stake Original games and challenges | No (Instant Play) |
Sweeptastic | 20,000 Lucky Coins + 1 Sweeps Coin | 1,100+ | Exceptional first-purchase bonus and hundreds of high-RTP games | No (Instant Play) |
TaoFortune | 250,000 TC | 400+ | Offers a variety of fish games and popular slots | No (Instant Play) |
Jackpota | 7,500 GC + 2.5 SC | 800+ | Sleek user-friendly UI and progressive jackpot network | No (Instant Play) |
Aspects in Favor and Against Playing at OH Sweepstakes Online Casinos
Sweepstakes casinos were originally meant to emulate a casino-like experience but with platforms like Stake.us, Pulsz, and WOW Vegas coming to the scene, the lines between real money and sweeps casinos are getting blurrier.
Even so, these two worlds are still distinctly different and have their own draws and flaws. Let’s summarize reasons for and against playing at sweeps casinos in Ohio:
- Due to the “no purchase necessary” law, you’ll never have to pay to play
- They’re legal in the majority of US states, including all of Ohio
- The leading sweeps casinos have at least some of the trendiest slot games you’d find in land-based and online casinos
- You can warm up or demo games using gold coins before jumping into sweeps play
- Dozens of free bonuses are available to regular players
- No deposit bonuses at sweeps casinos are usually much lower compared to real money casinos
- While land-based casinos offer instant cashouts, you’ll have to wait at least a few days to get your sweeps prize
- The dual currency system may be confusing to first-time players
- Popular social casinos like McLuck, Hello Millions, PlayFame, and Mega Bonanza do not operate in Ohio
To summarize the points above, OH sweepstakes casinos are close to the real deal, but since you’re wagering tokens and not real cash, you probably won’t get the same immersive feel as if you were playing on a real slot machine. Payouts are not only more complicated but also take longer to process.
On the upside, the chance of winning real money without spending your own is a merit in itself, so if you’re looking for the best Ohio sweeps casinos, feel free to explore our guides and reviews.
Other Gambling Options for Ohio Players
Ohio legalized sportsbook platforms in 2022, so if you prefer betting on hockey and basketball instead of symbols lining up on the reels, you may want to give BetMGM, FanDuel, and DraftKings a shot.
Land-based Ohio casinos like Hollywood Casino Toledo and Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati, as well as trendy racinos like Belterra Park Cincinnati and Eldorado Gaming, are also a viable option if you live in or at least near Hamilton or Franklin.
Sadly, the legalization of online casinos in Ohio is still a topic of uncertainty. Sweepstakes casinos have been and still are the second-best option for Ohioan slot enjoyers, so feel free to use our secure links to register a free account with the best of the best sweepstakes platforms.