The launch of legal sports betting in Ohio commenced over New Year’s weekend. The first Ohio sports bet was placed by Cincinnati Reds legend Pete Rose. Rose placed said wager on the Reds’ 2023 odds to win the World Series. Rose was banned from the MLB for wagering on the Reds while serving as the team’s manager decades ago.
Now he celebrates sports betting in Ohio, which is sure to have fan sentiment split to some degree on Rose’s inclusion in the festivities.
Pete Rose Kicks Off Ohio Betting Market
Rose places his wager at the Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati. The retired MLB All-Star wagered based on his loyalty to the team with no focus on the odds. Rose has been a fixture in the sports betting industry as it has gained in popularity across the U.S. As an advocate for legal sports betting, it is only fitting that he would be the one to bring in the New Year and new market.
“I don’t know a damn thing about odds,” said Rose. “Go Reds! Go Bengals!”
Ohio is projected to be a major player in U.S. sports betting. Experts estimate approximately $8.8 billion during the first full year of sports betting. These projections would place Ohio as the number two sports betting market, just behind New York and ahead of New Jersey.
“Ohioans are crazy about their sports, they really love their sports and we think it’s going to be quite popular,” said George Goldhoff, Property President of Hard Rock Cincinnati. “The money that was being bet by Ohioans, whether it was in Michigan or Indiana, is all going to stay here in the state and the taxpayers are gonna benefit.”
Future Of The Ohio Betting Market
The first Ohio sports bet placed by Pete Rose jump-started what will likely be a juggernaut betting market. More than $50 million in tax revenue is projected for the state with both retail and online sports betting available.
Ohio will have several online sports betting options for residents, multiple retail sportsbooks at local casinos, sports betting kiosk options at several locations, and in-stadium sportsbooks at professional games. Sports betting in Ohio is readily available to all residents no matter how they chose the play. The future of betting in Ohio is a bright one.
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