Ohio Sports Betting Apps
Written By thelines.com | Last Updated at October 29, 2025
The first Ohio sportsbooks launched at the start of 2023 and the state quickly became one of the country’s most active markets. With many Ohio sports betting sites now live, bettors have plenty of great brands to choose from.
We’ll help you choose the best online sportsbook in this comprehensive guide. After evaluating and testing several apps firsthand, we’ve selected our favorites which you can check out on the banners of this page. But stay with us for a while, there’s plenty to learn about online sports betting in the Buckeye State.
Compare the best Ohio betting sites in November 2025
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Quick facts about sports betting in Ohio
- Ohio legalized sports betting in December 2021, and the first sportsbooks went live in January 2023.
- The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) regulates the market and licenses gambling brands.
- OH residents must be at least 21 years old to place sports bets.
Is sports betting legal in Ohio?
Yes, sports betting is legal in Ohio. The Mid-western state legalized sports betting in December 2021, after Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 29. This legislation approved both online and retail sportsbooks, with the first of them launching on January 1, 2023.
From our research, Ohio’s move to legalize sports betting was influenced by neighboring states. Pennsylvania legalized sports betting in 2017, Indiana followed suit in 2019, and Michigan online sports betting sites went live in January 2021.
In the Buckeye State, sportsbooks are regulated by the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC). To operate in the state, sports betting brands need a license from the Commission, and to form a partnership with a local retail site.
Best Sportsbooks in Ohio
| Sportsbook | Bonus Offer |
| BetMGM Bonus Code | Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets or Bet $10 Get $150 |
| bet365 Bonus Code | Bet $5, get $200 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose |
| Caesars Sportsbook Promo Code | Bet $1, Double your Winnings on your Next 20 Wagers |
| FanDuel Promo Code | Bet $5 Get $300 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins |
| DraftKings Promo Code | Bet $5+ Get $300 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins + 3 Months of League Pass On Us! |
| Fanatics Sportsbook Promo Code | Bet $50, Get $250 in FanCash |
How to choose the best Ohio sports betting sites
The Ohio online sportsbook space is quite competitive. With lots of options, it can be tricky to choose a site or app, but we’re here to help. You can easily pick from the best OH sportsbooks we recommend on the banners of this page. Below, we’ve highlighted the factors we focus on while reviewing sportsbooks.
Licensing and legal status
Without mincing words, the sportsbook must be licensed by the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC). This factor is non-negotiable because if a betting app or site isn’t regulated, it’s not legal in the Buckeye State.
A license from the OCCC confirms that the sportsbook meets all state requirements for fairness, security, and player protection. Thankfully, it’s not difficult to confirm. All we do is scroll to the bottom of the site or app to find the round OCCC logo. Note also that you must be at least 21 years old to place sports bets..
Sports and betting markets
We found that the best Ohio sportsbooks are those that cover at least 20 different sports. First, we look for popular options such as football, basketball, hockey, baseball, MMA, golf, and tennis. With these in place you can bet on the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, UFC, and others.
Moving on, we check for soccer, auto racing, and esports. These more niche sports come in handy if you prefer wagering on international events. Besides the sports, we check out the market coverage. A reliable OH betting site will let you wager on moneylines, totals, and spreads, but will also offer other options like handicaps, props, and futures.
Odds quality and margins
The odds tell you two things: the implied probability of an outcome happening and your potential payout if it does. So, choosing a site with accurate and competitive odds is a must. In the Buckeye State, sportsbooks pay 20% tax, which is in the moderate to high range. Still, the sports betting brands are not too tight with margins.
Our calculations show that most Ohio sportsbooks keep the vig between 4% and 7% for major events. That means a fair 93% to 96% payout range for winning bettors. If a sportsbook cuts above 9%, the lines are no longer fair.
Bonuses and promotions
Top Ohio online sports betting sites attract new bettors with sign-up bonuses, while existing bettors get ongoing promos. These deals can range from bonus bets to deposit matches, cashback, and odds boosts. When reviewing, we don’t just look at the promised value of each promo.
We always pay close attention to the terms and conditions attached to bonuses. Factors like the minimum deposit, wagering requirement, validity period, and the maximum winning caps are key points. Fair and reasonable terms are what we seek. For example, $50 of bonus bets with no wagering requirements are more beneficial than a $500 matched deposit bonus with a 20x wagering requirement.
Payment methods and speed
When you are ready to fund your account, or withdraw your winnings, transactions should be hassle-free. To ensure this, we rate Ohio sportsbooks with at least five different payment methods for deposits and withdrawals. The more the variety, the easier it is to pick what’s convenient.
Popular options such as Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, and bank transfer should be present. Others like Apple Pay, Play+ cards, ACH transfer, and gift cards are also ideal.
During our tests, we also consider transaction speed. We expect near-instant deposits and when it comes to withdrawals we seek brands that will payout your winnings within 24 to 48 hours.
Mobile app performance
Nearly all licensed Ohio sportsbooks now have dedicated apps, reflecting the nationwide shift toward mobile betting. While reviewing, we download the apps on iOS and Android to see how they perform.
For us, the best sports betting app in Ohio is one that loads fast with a friendly, modern interface. Also, it should include mobile-specific features such as push notifications and biometric login for extra security.
As experts, we know that some Ohioans may prefer not to install an app. Therefore, we also evaluate the mobile site via browsers like Safari and Chrome.
Live betting and streaming
Also known as in-play wagering, live betting lets you place bets based on real time action. It’s a vital feature for any serious sportsbook, so this isn’t about whether it’s available or not. Instead, we focus on the betting markets available and how quickly the odds and game stats update.
By default, live betting lines change based on what takes place during the event. The best Ohio sportsbooks will adjust the markets and odds in real-time, so you can leverage any change without delay.
Furthermore, it’s ideal if the OH betting site or app supports live streaming. That way, you can watch the game directly. But if streaming is unavailable, live match trackers that show play-by-play updates is the next best thing.
Customer support
Reliable customer service is a big difference between quality and subpar betting sites. So, to identify the best betting sites in the Buckeye State, we test the contact channels available.
Live chat and email are a must-have for us, as they let you communicate in real time and send detailed queries, respectively. If phone support is offered, we rate the Ohio sportsbook higher. We always evaluate how quickly agents respond and whether they are knowledgeable and able to provide helpful answers.
We also like to see a help center, knowledge base, or FAQ section on the site. The sportsbooks featured on the banners of this page all have these resources, which means you are able to resolve some matters on your own.
Popular sports and teams for betting in OH
We recognize Ohio as one of the most sports-driven states in the US. To illustrate, a 2025 study by SmileHub named OH as the “best state for sports lovers” and as such, it’s not surprising that the online betting market is incredibly popular.
Next up, we take a look at the sports and teams you can wager on if you’re in the Buckeye State.
1. Football
No other sport comes close to football in Ohio. The main reason is that the state is home to two major NFL teams: the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals. These franchises attract heavy betting interest each season.
The Browns play at Huntington Bank Field, while the Bengals host games at Paycor Stadium. There is a good deal of Bengals-Browns rivalry, which has been referred to as the Battle of Ohio, since 1970. So, whenever they meet, there’s always huge interest from local bettors.
Besides the NFL, betting on college football teams like the Ohio State Buckeyes is also big. OH permits wagering on in-state college teams with fewer restrictions than some states. For example, while exploring the Illinois sports betting market, we found that in-state college wagers are only allowed at retail locations. Online sites and apps can’t offer these markets.
2. Basketball
Like football, basketball betting in Ohio applies to both professional and collegiate teams. The Cleveland Cavaliers, based at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, are the number one team for NBA fans in the state.
Of course, betting on basketball would be even more popular if it were during the LeBron James era. Unfortunately, Ohio sports betting sites were not legalized until after he left in 2018.
On the college side, the Ohio State Buckeyes men’s basketball team is the favorite for bettors. The team competes in the Big Ten Conference in the NCAA Division 1. We also noted the Cincinnati Bearcats and Dayton Flyers as popular picks, especially during March Madness.
3. Baseball
In Ohio, baseball is a traditional sport. Right now, the most popular team for bettors is the Cleveland Guardians, which plays in the MLB. Their home ground, Progressive Field, is one of the best ballparks in all of the Midwest.
During our reviews, we also spotted the Cincinnati Reds as a major pick for Ohio bettors. With the Great American Ball Park as their home ground, the Reds were the first professional baseball franchise in the US.
Minor League Baseball teams are not left out of the action. We can point to the Columbus Clippers and Akron RubberDucks, who bring further betting options during the baseball season. Incidentally, both teams are affiliated with the Cleveland Guardians.
4. Ice hockey
Ohio doesn’t have cold winters like the northern states. However, hockey is still an incredibly popular sport in the region, thanks to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Based at the Nationwide Arena, the Blue Jackets are OH’s only NHL team.
From what we know, Ohio bettors are often interested in matchups against the Blue Jackets and neighboring teams. The Pittsburgh Penguins in Pennsylvania and the Detroit Red Wings in Michigan being notable examples.
5. Soccer
The MLS has become popular for betting in Ohio because of the Columbus Crew’s successes. For context, the team won the MLS Cup in 2023 and the Leagues Cup in 2024. Columbus Crew goes up against FC Cincinnati in the Hell is Real Derby, which we view as a significant match for OH bettors.
International soccer events also draw betting interest in the Buckeye State. Examples include the Gold Cup, Copa America, and the FIFA World Cup, which often features the US men’s and women’s national soccer teams.
6. Golf
Last on our list is golf, which attracts Ohioan bettors during prestigious tournaments. The most notable of those is the Memorial Tournament, which takes place annually at the Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin. This event is a part of the PGA Tour and takes place on a course that’s notorious for its challenging layout.
Besides the PGA Tour, you can also bet on several smaller golf events and country club tournaments in the Buckeye State. These options are often made available by sportsbooks during the summer months.
Top betting markets and bet types at Ohio sportsbooks
With the best Ohio sports betting apps on the banners of this page, you’ll find an excellent selection of betting markets, and a wide range of bet types.
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Moneyline
This is a staple bet type, and it's listed first on all OH sportsbooks. To place a moneyline bet, you just pick which team or player you think will win. Moneyline bets are always popular for football, basketball, baseball, and hockey.
Suppose the Cleveland Browns face the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL. You can pick either team to win, with moneyline odds shown as plus (+) or minus (–). The favorite is denoted by the minus sign, while the plus sign indicates the underdog. You’ll see the same format whether you are betting on a Cavaliers NBA game or an Ohio State college matchup.
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Point spreads
With this market, you focus on the margin of victory and not just who wins. OH sportsbooks will give one team an advantage over the other. So, you wager on which of the two teams will cover the spread.
To illustrate, consider a -3.5 spread for the Cincinnati Bengals vs the Baltimore Ravens. The spread indicates that the Ravens are already 3.5 points ahead on the sportsbook’s side. If you bet on the Bengals, you win if they score at least 4 points more than the Ravens.
Conversely, if you bet on the Ravens +3.5, they can win the game or lose by up to 3 points, and you’d still get a payout. We regularly bet on spreads for NFL and NBA games. However, you may see them displayed as puck lines for the NHL and goal lines for the MLS at some sportsbooks.
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Totals
Also known as over/under, this market involves predicting whether the combined score of both teams will be higher or lower than the number set by the sportsbook. The benchmark varies from sport to sport. It can be 230.5 points for a high-scoring league like the NBA, and 8.5 runs for MLB events.
Let’s go with the 8.5 runs total for a Cleveland Guardians baseball game as an example. If you bet on Over, you expect at least 9 total home runs by the end of the match. On the flip side, betting on Under means you win if the number of runs doesn’t exceed 8. We recommend Totals if you’re interested in the overall game result, regardless of which side wins.
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Parlays
A parlay bet combines multiple outcomes into one bet slip. For example, you can pick the Browns to win, the Cavaliers to cover the spread, and the Guardians to go over the total. Note that these are all options for three different events.
Most Ohio sportsbooks also support same-game parlays (SGP), where you make several picks for the same game. Either way, each selection must win for you to receive a payout.
Consider the previous example, if the Browns and Cavaliers predictions are correct, but the Guardians don’t hit the expected total, the bet loses.
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Prop bets
Top Ohio sports betting brands always list prop bets for specific player and team performances. These are the popular ones we came across for various leagues:
| League | Common props |
| NFL | Total passing yards Anytime touchdown scorer Total rushing yards Over/under receptions |
| NBA | Player total points Points + rebounds + assists Total three-pointers made First player to score |
| MLB | Player total home runs Strikeouts by a pitcher Total hits Team to score first |
| NHL | Player total goals Total saves Player to record an assist Team to score first |
| College sports | QB passing yards Player rushing yards First team to reach X points |
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Futures
Just as the name suggests, you’re making future predictions for this type of bet. You wager on long-term outcomes like season and award winners rather than individual games. These bets often span an entire season or tournament, so they offer relatively high odds for correct predictions. Here are some examples we spotted at OH sportsbooks.
| League | Common futures |
| NFL | Super Bowl winner Conference champion MVP Total team wins |
| NBA | NBA champion Conference winner Rookie of the Year Win totals |
| MLB | World Series winner League pennant Cy Young winner Team win totals |
| NHL | Stanley Cup winner Conference champion Hart Trophy Season points total |
| College sports | National champion Conference champion Heisman winner Total team wins |
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Specials
Ohio sportsbooks also feature special markets during major sporting events like the Super Bowl or March Madness. Expect to see odds for things like the coin toss result, the length of the national anthem, and NFL draft picks. These are less common for day-to-day betting, but they add variety and entertainment when available.
Most common Ohio sports betting promos
We highlighted bonuses as one of the key factors for selecting the best OH online sportsbook. Here’s a closer look at some of the offers you’ll find, which are also displayed on the banners of this page.
Bonus bets
Also called bet credits at some sites, many Ohio sportsbooks feature bonus bets in their welcome offers. Usually, you need to place a qualifying bet and wait for it to settle to receive the bonus. But there are some variations on that theme.
For example, a sportsbook might advertise a deal like this: ‘Bet $10, Get Up to $100 Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Loses’. Meanwhile, another brand may have a ‘Bet $5 and Get $10 Instantly’ deal. Either way, the advantage is that you receive some additional funds to bet with.
We always find bonus bets easy to use after claiming them. All you need to do is activate them directly from your betslip. Note that if you win when using bonus bets, the original bonus bet amount is not included in your return.
Deposit match
These promotions can be available as a welcome bonus, or as a reload bonus. Simply put, they match a percentage of your deposit up to a set limit, and appear something like this ‘Get a 100% match on your first deposit up to $200’.
For example, if you were to deposit $50, you’ll receive another $50 in bonus credits. Conversely, if you deposited $250, you’ll only get $200 of bonus credit. It’s important to understand the limitations of any type of offer like this.
Most match deposit offers we’ve seen don’t require Ohio sports betting promo codes to claim them. Once you make a minimum qualifying deposit, you’ll receive the bonus immediately. Note that this type of offer may have wagering requirements you must fulfil before you can make a withdrawal.
No deposit bonus
As the name suggests, you receive the bonus amount without needing to make a deposit. In our experience, they’re mainly deals for new bettors, allowing them to test sportsbooks without pressure. However, these offers are extremely rare, not just in Ohio but across the US. For example, while we were reviewing Pennsylvania sports betting sites, we also didn’t find any no deposit bonuses available.
A typical no deposit bonus value would be around $5 or $10, and there will most likely be a maximum winnings cap in place. Nevertheless, we still consider no deposit bonuses great for new bettors who are still finding their way around.
Odds boost
With odds boosts, you get bigger odds than usual for specific betting markets.From our observations, OH sportsbooks mainly offer them for big events, and most often for moneyline and prop markets.
Let’s say the standard odds for the Browns to win the Battle of Ohio are +100. That means if you bet $100, you can potentially win $100. Boosted odds increase the line to +150, indicating a $150 potential win instead.
Parlay insurance
This promotion acts as a safety net when you place parlay or accumulator bets. Normally, if one leg in your parlay loses, you won't get a payout.
However, when parlay insurance is applied, you’ll either receive your stake back as a bonus bet, or receive a reduced payout. Most Ohio sportsbooks apply a maximum cap of around $20.
Refer-a-friend bonus
From the description, you can already guess what this offer is about. Many Ohio sports betting sites feature referral programs that reward you for inviting your friends to join the site. This usually involves sharing your unique link or code.
We’ve seen referral rewards given as bonus bets, site credit, or cash. It all depends on the sports betting site. Typically, your friends must meet a requirement to trigger the bonus, such as making a minimum deposit or betting a certain amount.
Five useful tips for Ohio bettors
There are never any guarantees with sports betting, but it never hurts to have a strategy in place to maximize your chances of success. On that note, we’ve shared five top tips for you below.
1. Support local teams but don’t bet emotionally
In the Buckeye State, sports fans are passionate about local teams like the Browns, Bengals, Cavaliers, and Buckeyes. However, don’t just put your money on these franchises or their players simply because you love them.
Instead, research and compare their performances against opponents and bet objectively. It’s fine to simply support your favorite teams, you don’t have to wager on every game.
2. Watch the weather for NFL and MLB home games
Ohio's climate is a mix of cold, dry air from Canada and warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico. These clashing air masses mean the weather can shift quite fast, especially in Cleveland and Cincinnati, where top sports teams are based.
So, before you bet on games at Huntington Bank Field or Paycor Stadium, consider the weather. This strategy is most important for total (over/under) picks. We also mentioned this in relation to the Hoosiers in our Indiana sports betting review because both OH and IN are in the Midwest and share the same climate patterns.
3. Bet early on college lines
We often find softer odds early in the week for college games. Naturally, as the event date draws near, more people wager, and sportsbooks tighten the lines. If you wait till Friday or Saturday to place your NCAA football or basketball bets, you may get less value.
4. Prioritize totals for NBA games
Totals are easier to predict for basketball because it’s a high-scoring sport. With stats like pace and efficiency, you can spot teams that play more offensively or defensively. Then, you would pick over or under, respectively, while not ignoring their opponents.
We also recommend totals for potential blowout games, where one team is much stronger than the other. If the former wins by a large margin, a high over pick can easily come to fruition.
5. Bet responsibly
We always highlight safe betting when discussing sportsbooks. The excitement of betting on sports can easily get a bit out of hand.
We recommend that you use the tools available on your selected OH sportsbook, to limit the amount you bet, or the time you spend on the site. You can also activate temporary or permanent self-exclusion if necessary.
Pros and cons of the Ohio sports betting market
After analyzing the sports betting industry in the Buckeye State, these are the upsides and downsides we noted:
Pros
- Legal and well-regulated market
- Features top US sportsbook brands
- Excellent selection of local teams
Cons
- Relatively high 20% sportsbook tax
Take you pick of the best sportsbooks in the Buckeye State
We’ve covered the key details about the Ohio sports betting market, from the laws to how we nail down the best sportsbooks and top promos. With this knowledge, you can make informed choices and bet confidently on your favorite teams or players. Select your ideal Ohio sportsbook from the banners on this page and click the link to create your account today.
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