Best Sweepstakes Social Casinos in Ohio
While the ban on online casinos exists, residents of Ohio who are 18 years old can join online social casinos and play the same style of games. Only, there is one difference here: no need to risk your money.
Sweepstakes casinos are growing in demand all over the US right now due to their free-to-play model. It means that you don’t stake your cash but simply log in and play. There are daily and weekly bonuses you can claim to enjoy different games like slots, poker, blackjack, and even live dealer options.
These bonuses usually have the so-called Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins - the digital currencies on which the platform runs. Players use these coins as they would their balance in a regular casino. However, note that both options are not the same. Gold Coins have no monetary value and are only used to play for fun. On the other hand, Sweepstakes Coins can be used to redeem prizes, provided that you’ve won while playing with them.
Another thing is that GCs can be purchased, but SCs can’t. You need to get promotions, purchase Gold Coin packages that have Sweepstake Coins, or use the alternative method of entry to get more SCs.
In everything else, online sweepstakes casinos in the Buckeye State are the same as regular online casinos. Sadly, most of the B2Services sites are out of the state. But if you want to give sweepstakes casinos a try, we suggest these Ohio sweepstakes casinos: WOW Vegas, Real Prize, Stake.us, Zula, or Fortune Coins.
FAQ
Are sweepstakes social casinos legal in Ohio?
Yes, sweepstakes social casinos are legal in Ohio as long as they comply with the general promotion laws, the legal entry age, award all prizes on chance, and a few other state rules.
Can I win real money playing at Ohio social sweepstakes casinos?
No, sweepstakes social casinos are for entertainment only, so you can’t win real money while playing. However, you can use the platform’s Sweepstakes Coins to play games and redeem prizes, including cash.
Can I claim bonuses at Ohio sweepstakes casinos?
No, you can’t claim real-money bonuses in Ohio sweepstakes casinos. Instead, you can claim the regular sign-up and daily/weekly/monthly bonuses and play with the Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins you receive.
Ohio Sweepstakes Social Casinos: Regulations and History
Ohio is one of the US states that has recently become more lenient toward online gaming. However, online casinos still remain a question that needs to be solved in the future. While Buckeyes wait for lawmakers to craft the framework for this type of entertainment, they have social casinos to enjoy casino-like games.
The Buckeye State follows the same general rules regarding legalizing sweepstakes, but it also adds a few personal touches to the mix. To find out more about the current Ohio sweepstakes laws, keep reading. We’ll also share the history and best online sweepstakes social casinos for Buckeyes.
Ohio Sweepstakes State Laws
Considering that online casinos are still not regulated within state borders, players from Ohio have a few other options. Offline, they can try out one of the four casinos established back in 2009 or bet on sports in brick-and-mortar venues. Online, Buckeyes can bet through licensed online sportsbooks or enjoy casino-like games via social casinos.
The reason for the acceptance of sweepstakes is the law’s wording. Namely, Section 2915.01 of the Ohio Revised Code states, “Sweepstakes means any game, contest, advertising scheme or plan, or other promotion where consideration is not required for a person to enter to win…” Within this definition, the removal of consideration (an element that distinguishes private lotteries from sweepstakes) makes these operators legal.
However, that is not the only thing. When talking about offline sweepstakes, Rule 109:9-1-01 states that “Each person that desires to conduct a sweepstakes shall submit an application for registration with the attorney general.” Hence, sweepstakes require an annual “certificate of registration” to be able to work. But what about their online counterpart?
For online sweepstakes (as well as offline), the general promotion laws apply. Every social casino must be transparent about the rules and criteria and award all prizes on chance. Another interesting thing about Ohio is the state’s view on the requirement to visit a store as a non-monetary consideration. As such, retailers can’t give out free entry forms, i.e., every operator of sweepstakes must offer an alternative method of entry (online).
Moreover, Ohio sweepstakes also pay attention to three additional things:
• Players’ age (must be over 18)
• Type of sponsor (some industries may have additional rules that need to be followed, such as alcohol industries)
• Mediums through which the sweepstakes are conducted
History of Sweepstakes in Ohio
Back in 1971, Ohio State Senator Ron Mottl began a campaign to open a state lottery. Following the growth of this entertainment in other states and seeing the profit it brings, the first Ohio Lottery was established when voters approved State Issue 1 in 1973.
Since then, the Ohio Lottery has steadily grown, providing in-state and multi-state games to Buckeyes. It has made profits for education and even turned individual residents into millionaires. That slowly prompted the development of other forms of gambling within Ohio.
In 2009, four brick-and-mortar casinos were opened in Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland, and Toledo. Sports betting also became legal, albeit later than in other states. Namely, it was just a few years ago (in 2023) that sports betting launched in Ohio - both at online sportsbooks and brick-and-mortar establishments.
Regarding sweepstakes, the 2010s were the period of bloom. Interestingly, in 2013, there was a huge ban on Internet cafes, deeming them as nothing more than unregulated casinos, even though they defended themselves by saying they were sweepstakes. Luckily, that didn’t smear the name of sweepstakes as their online counterpart took root.
