Ohio Sports Betting

Legal Ohio sports betting is one step closer to reality. The Ohio Legislature passed the enabling legislation (HB29) on Dec. 8 and Gov. Mark DeWine  signed the bill into law shortly thereafter. Ohio online sports betting will launch on Jan. 1, 2023.

When nearly all of your neighbors have something cool to play with and you don’t, it’s normal to want to get in on the fun. Now, Ohio residents won’t be sitting on the sidelines for long.

So what would sports betting look like in Ohio? When will legal OH sportsbook apps be available? Read on as we take a detailed look at what you might expect. Get a FanDuel Sportsbook early sign-up bonus of $100 free when sports betting goes live on Jan. 1.

Is Ohio sports betting legal?

Yes, sports betting is legal in Ohio, but it is not live yet. OH Legislature passed HB29 in Dec. 2021 and the process towards launching is underway, set to launch on Jan. 1, 2023. Here are some of the key points of Ohio online sports betting and retail sports betting will work:

• Teams, leagues, casinos, and racinos can launch 1 skin (online sportsbook) each with a possibility of a second. To launch a second, the licensee must prove it will have an incremental economic benefit to the state.
• There will be 25 online sports betting licenses handed out, but there might be more. Any additional licensee after the first 25 will be allowed only 1 online brand.
• Sports betting will be taxed at 10%.
• Official league data is not required for live betting.
• Lottery retailers that want to host a sports betting kiosk must be approved by the Ohio Casino Control Commission. The Lottery itself will not host an app.
• Lottery kiosks can only accept the following bets: spread, moneyline, over/under and parlays of 2-4 bets.

What still needs to happen?

The plan is for Ohio sports betting to start on Jan. 1, 2023. Now that the bill is passed, the state’s attention is on drafting regulations, licensing and applications, and creating the framework for a legal sports betting industry. That process in itself takes months.

In turn, the prospective gambling locations and leagues will start partnering with legal online sportsbooks such as DraftKings, FanDuel, and more. With the possibility of 25-plus sportsbook apps in the state, Ohio is set to have a larger slate of options compared to legal sportsbooks in Michigan.

Ohio sports betting apps

We don’t know who the entirety of who will be launching in Ohio. However, we can say that the online sportsbook market is competitive and a key point of entry as sportsbooks look to expand their presence across the Midwest. Here are some of the names that have submitted applications to operate in Ohio.

• DraftKings Sportsbook: A presence in surrounding states and an eye toward entering as many markets as possible makes a DraftKings app a natural for Ohio. It’s also a well-known brand going back to its daily fantasy sports roots. The platform is among the slickest you’ll find, with top features such as its live betting section and a variety of props.
• FanDuel Sportsbook: FanDuel is one of the top brands in the industry and will naturally want to keep the momentum going by taking a crack at another potentially fruitful market. The FanDuel app looks great and works well, with features like the popular single-game parlay.
• BetMGM Sportsbook: BetMGM Sportsbook also has its sights set on aggressive expansion, and with a racino in Northfield, an attempt at entering Ohio seems like a given. The recognizable brand name has helped the company gain a lot of traction, but there’s also lots to see under the hood, including a range of betting markets.
• Caesars Sportsbook: Caesars Sportsbook struck a deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers to be the official betting partner. The deal also includes a proposed betting lounge to be built inside Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
• BetRivers Sportsbook: While BetRivers may not have the national cachet that other sportsbooks bring to the table, it continues to gain ground thanks to a great product. The app is smooth and simple while still having lots of features, and there’s a great rewards program for bettors.
• Barstool Sportsbook: Media entity Barstool Sports has teamed up with Penn National with an eye toward becoming a go-to destination for bettors. Penn National, of course, owns properties in the state with two Hollywood casinos. The Barstool app has only launched in select states to date, but plans are in the works for more as soon as possible.
• TwinSpires Sportsbook: A member of the Churchill Downs family, this app was formerly known as BetAmerica. For horse racing fans, there’s natural crossover appeal, but it’ll be interesting to see if the brand can make headway in Ohio sports betting.
• Hard Rock Sportsbook: A Hard Rock Casino is on the way to Cincinnati at the site of the former Jack Casino. The rebrand has taken some time but could be complete soon. As such, a Hard Rock sportsbook app could be a distinct possibility in Ohio.
• BetJACK Sportsbook: JACK Entertainment is the operator of the JACK Casino in downtown Cleveland and launched their own sportsbook. In anticipation of the Jan. 1 date, BetJACK launched a “training camp” for Ohioans to practice sports betting with real lines and free tokens.
• BallyBet Sportsbook: Bally Sports garnered a deal with the Cleveland Browns to be their official betting partner. Like the Caesars-Cavs deal, this one will feature a sports betting lounge within FirstEnergy Stadium, though those plans have not been finalized.

How to start betting online in Ohio

In the majority of legal sports betting states to date, users have been able to complete the registration process remotely, which means they can take care of signing up online or via app. A few outliers have made in-person registration a requirement. We’ll have to wait and see which direction Ohio goes, but remote is the much more efficient path.

The remote sign-up process is quick and painless. You can complete it in just a few minutes by following the prompts. Prospective users likely will have to provide the following information:

• Name
• Address
• Email address
• Date of birth
• Last four digits of Social Security number

Before you can create your account, the sportsbook has to verify your identity and that you’re of legal age. If there’s any trouble with that, you then would need to provide supporting documentation.

While you don’t need to be a resident of the state to sign up and play, you do need to be located within state lines when placing bets. For this purpose, sites verify your location with geolocation tracking software. On a mobile device, the app utilizes the existing GPS technology. On a web browser on a desktop computer, you’ll need to download the software.

Top sportsbooks have developed some stellar and user-friendly platforms. Some are naturally better than others, but all of them will let you complete all of the main functions with ease.

What is the legal gambling age in Ohio?

You must be 21 years or older to bet on sports in Ohio. To play casino games you also must be 21 or older. However, 18-year-olds and up can play the lottery and bet on horses.

Sports betting partnerships in Ohio

As sports betting providers enter new markets, their goal is to attract as many new users as possible. Beyond the traditional advertising methods and promotional opportunities for bettors, there has been a growing trend of sportsbooks signing sponsorship deals with local pro teams as a means of gaining even more exposure.

The top pro leagues, such as the NFL, have all signed various deals as well, so the days of keeping wagering at a distance appear to be in the past. The Cleveland Cavaliers got ahead of the curve by announcing a deal with Caesars that will include a sports betting lounge in Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.  The Cleveland Browns inked a deal with Bally Sports and their BallyBet platform in late April 2022.

You can find a list of every Ohio sportsbook partnership here.

Futures and prop betting in Ohio

While sports betting hasn’t yet gone live in Ohio, we can still look ahead to what we can expect when it happens. In short, bettors will have access to all of the top markets and bets. For the latter, top options include moneyline, spread and total bets on all of the top games.

You’ll also be able to expand your horizons in a number of directions. Two of the top areas to scope out are futures betting and props. Futures are wagers that require a long-term view, while props open the doors to more wagering opportunities on games. For the futures market, top options include placing wagers in advance on the winners of the following big games and events:

• Super Bowl
• NBA Finals
• World Series
• Stanley Cup
• College Football Playoff
• March Madness

You can also place wagers on things like the winners of the next Masters or Wimbledon for golf or tennis. Futures odds come out well in advance of the events and will remain active from there. You can make a single call on who you think will win or spread out the risk by making multiple selections.

Prop bets are basically like having some side action on a game. They’re based on things that may or may not happen as a contest plays out from a team, game or player perspective. Player props are among the most popular choices and revolve around individual accomplishments. Here are some examples:

• How many total TDs for Nick Chubb — over/under 0.5?
• Will Joey Votto hit a home run — yes/no?
• Who will have more points plus assists — Collin Sexton or Russell Westbrook?

You’ll find the available props for a contest by clicking on the individual game listings at most sportsbooks, but some will have sections specifically dedicated to this wager. Player props share a lot in common with fantasy sports, so those with experience in that realm can use them as a transition over to sports betting.

Live betting at Ohio sportsbooks

Another top option at legal sportsbooks is live betting, and it should be a similar story in Ohio. Also known as in game bets, these are wagers that you can place in real time as the action is playing out. The actual bets will vary based on what’s going on, but examples of the types of wagers you’ll see include:

• What will be the result of this Cincinnati Bengals drive — TD/FG/TO/punt/downs?
• How many total shots for the Columbus Blue Jackets in period one — over/under 8.5?
• Will Jose Ramirez reach base in this at-bat — yes/no?

The market moves really fast as odds and offerings update rapidly throughout the game. Beyond various prop scenarios, you’ll also see updated odds on the outcome based on the current situation. For example, the Cleveland Browns may walk on the field as big favorites, but the live betting odds will adjust if they wind up down big in the first half.

Live betting is available at all of the major online sportsbook apps. Once a game gets underway, you can click on the dedicated live betting tab to see what’s happening. From there, you can check in from time to time as you watch the game.

Popular sports teams to bet on in Ohio

If you’re a big fan of pro sports, then Ohio is a great place to be. All of the major leagues are represented in cities across the state. Naturally, that leads to some divided rooting interests, but it can also make for some really fun debates among fans.

• NFL: Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals
• NBA: Cleveland Cavaliers
• MLB: Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Guardians
• NHL: Columbus Blue Jackets
• MLS: Columbus Crew, FC Cincinnati
• NCAAF: Ohio State Buckeyes

You’ll be able to bet on all of the above all season long at legal books. Ohio is also a fantastic spot for college sports, but some states prohibit betting on in-state colleges. Ohio did not put restrictions in place, rather opting to capitalize on their national brand and most successful in-state team, Ohio State.

Where to bet on sports in Ohio

Retail betting will be coming to Ohio if legislation passes, but questions remain on exactly how many outlets will be available. A group of smaller businesses is hoping the state lottery will run sports betting. Ultimately, the group would like to see sports betting available in places like bars, restaurants and bowling alleys.

We’ll see what develops as legislation moves forward. For now, the state’s racinos and casinos seem like the most likely spots to land retail sportsbooks.

Ohio casinos and racinos

• Belterra Park Cincinnati, Anderson Township
• Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs, Columbus
• Hard Rock Casino, Cincinnati
• Hollywood Casino, Columbus
• Hollywood Casino, Toledo
• Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway, Dayton
• Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course, Austintown
• JACK Casino, Cleveland
• JACK ThistleDown Racino, North Randall
• MGM Northfield Park, Northfield
• Miami Valley Gaming, Turtlecreek Township

There’s also a pair of OTB locations in Ohio that could make sense for retail sports betting locations: Cedar Downs in Cleveland and Mifflin Meadows in Mansfield. Ohioans will also be able to bet at stadiums. While a betting lounge in Ohio Stadium is unlikely, Progressive Field is likely to have one based on the aforementioned deals with the Cavs and Browns.

Find a complete list of retail sportsbooks in Ohio.

Ohio stadiums and arenas

• Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati (Cincinnati Reds)
• Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati (Cincinnati Bengals)
• TQL Stadium, Cincinnati (FC Cincinnati)
• FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland (Cleveland Browns)
• Progressive Field, Cleveland (Cleveland Guardians)
• Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland (Cleveland Cavaliers)
• Lower.com Stadium, Columbus (Columbus Crew)
• Nationwide Arena, Columbus (Columbus Blue Jackets)
• Ohio Stadium, Columbus (Ohio State Buckeyes)

FAQs

Is Ohio sports betting legal?

Yes, sports betting is legal in Ohio. Gov. Mike DeWine signed HB29 into law in December 2021, legalizing sports betting. However, it will not launch in the Buckeye State until Jan. 1, 2023.

Is online sports betting legal in Ohio?

Yes, online sports betting is legal in Ohio. Mobile and online sports betting will launch to Ohioans on Jan. 1, 2023 with several sportsbooks. Included are DraftKings Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook, Caesars Sportsbook, BetMGM, and more.

Can I bet on sports as a visitor to Ohio?

Yes, as long as you are located in the state of Ohio, you are eligible to bet on sports. Make sure to touch up on the guidelines and age restrictions to confirm your eligibility. You can create accounts at most sportsbooks from anywhere, although you must be in a legal state to place bets.

Does Ohio allow for collegiate sports betting?

Ohio does allow wagering on college sports without restriction. The Ohio State Buckeyes are one of the state’s biggest brands and efforts were made early on to allow wagering on college sports. Ohioans are able to bet on in-state colleges and on game props.

Can I play online poker in Ohio?

No, online poker sites are not legal in Ohio. The state does not sponsor any online poker sites, leaving only unregulated sites available. We strongly recommend against using unregulated poker sites as players are not protected.

Is Bovada legal in Ohio?

No, offshore books like Bovada are not legal in Ohio. These offshore books are unregulated and users are unprotected. We strongly recommend bettors use regulated legal US books, as both parties are protected under the law.

Can I play DFS in Ohio?

Daily Fantasy Sports have been legal in Ohio since 2017. Many states don’t have legislation banning or allowing DFS, but Ohio has laws explicitly legalizing DFS. Common operators in the state include FanDuel, DraftKings, and UnderDog Fantasy.

When did Ohio sports betting launch?

Sports betting in Ohio launches on Jan. 1, 2023. The date was confirmed in early summer 2022 after HB29 was passed into law in December 2021. The delayed launch is to ensure all operators are ready to go, as confirmed to TheLines by the Ohio Casino Control Commission.

Timeline

September 21, 2022 – A recent poll shows that 84% of polled Ohio residents won’t be partaking in legal sports betting.

September 16, 2022 – The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) has approved 300 betting kiosk applications.

September 9, 2022 – The Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Reds see their sports betting licenses approved.

July 15, 2022 – Multiple sports teams including the Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, and the Cleveland Cavaliers apply for sports betting licenses.

June 21, 2022 – Popular sportsbooks BetMGM and PointsBet officially apply for Ohio sports betting licenses.

May 20, 2022 – Ohio sportsbooks now have an official launch date set for January 1, 2023.

January 27, 2022 – Te official regulations and rules for Ohio sports betting have been set.

December 22, 2021 – HB 29 is signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine, regulating sports betting in Ohio.