Ohio Sports Betting: Best 15 Ohio Sportsbooks 2024
Ohio sports betting is live and legal. DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, FanDuel, and Fanatics Sportsbook are among the 15 active Ohio sportsbook apps.
There are also many in-person sports betting locations in the state.
Read on for the latest news and information about Ohio sports betting, including reviews of the top sportsbook apps, available promos, and more.
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Ohio sportsbooks available in December 2024
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Contents
Is sports betting legal in Ohio?
Yes, Ohio sports betting is legal and available in the state. Several online sportsbook apps and physical sports betting locations went live in January 2023. The Ohio sports betting law, HB 29, passed both chambers of the Ohio Legislature in December 2021. Gov. Mike DeWine then signed it into law.
One recent development now prohibits prop bets on individual college athletes, a reversal from the launch. As of March 1, 2024, that is now in effect.
What’s happening in Ohio sports betting right now
- Nov. 27, 2024 — The Ohio State Buckeyes enter the 14th week of the college football season still holding the top position on the CFB Playoff odds board, just ahead of Oregon.
- Nov. 13, 2024 — The Cleveland Cavaliers are the lone remaining undefeated NBA team with a 12-0 record.
- Oct. 17, 2024 — With the Cleveland Browns taking on the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 7, check out the latest Week 7 odds before the game.
- Oct. 2, 2024 — The Problem Gambling Network of Ohio launched a new telehealth network to increase access to care for people with problem gambling.
- Sept. 27, 2024 — Change the Game Ohio, a responsible gambling program, has partnered with the Ohio High School Athletic Association to educate young people on the importance of responsible gambling.
- Sept. 19, 2024 — State Sen. Niraj Antani filed a bill to legalize Ohio online casinos.
- Sept. 1, 2024 — Betfred officially exited Ohio and is no longer available to users in the state.
- Aug. 28, 2024 — The sportsbooks inside the Penn-owned Hollywood Columbus and Hollywood Toledo casinos will reportedly be rebranded to ESPN Bet locations in September.
- Aug. 23, 2024 — Offshore sportsbook Bovada is no longer available in Ohio. The Ohio Casino Control Commission issued a cease and desist to the sportsbook with an Aug. 16 deadline to exit the state.
Ohio Sportsbook Promos Today
Check back here for the latest odds boosts and promotions.
Comparing Ohio sportsbooks
Ohio has allotted 25 licenses for online sports betting apps. Many sportsbooks launched when the state went live, but more continued to trickle in over the following months. There are plenty of options for Ohio bettors, but picking one may not be an easy decision. Ultimately, how you bet and what you like to bet on will determine your choice. If you’re looking for the best NFL betting sites heading into football season, here’s a quick look at some of the top sportsbooks in Ohio.
1. BetMGM Sportsbook Ohio
BetMGM Sportsbook is live and available for betting in Ohio. Representing MGM Resorts, MGM already has a presence in Ohio through its ownership of MGM Northfield Park, a racino near Cleveland. The BetMGM bonus code is competitive in Ohio, with a bonus of up to $1,500. BetMGM’s “edit my bet” feature is one of its calling cards, allowing users to change a bet after submitting it. The sportsbook is also a popular choice for more niche wagering options such as table tennis and snooker, but the navigation on the app can be clunky.
- App store rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.4 (Android)
- Key takeaway: BetMGM offers flexibility before and after you place a bet.
- Best feature: Edit my bet
- Bonus offer: Up to $1,500 in bonus bets paid back if your first bet does not win.
2. Bet365 Sportsbook Ohio
Bet365 Sportsbook has an exclusive deal with MLB’s Cleveland Guardians in Ohio and is quickly ascending the ranks as an option for bettors in the state, as well as in a growing number of other locales in the US. The sportsbook is best known for its deep selection of live wagers and for offering bets on obscure and niche sports you’re unlikely to find elsewhere. The app isn’t the flashiest compared to some competitors, but it has everything you need from a betting perspective, including the option to edit some bets.
- App store rating: 4.6 (iOS), 3.5 (Android)
- Key takeaway: Good list of rare sports and live betting options.
- Best feature: Live betting options
- Bonus offer: Bet $5, get $150 OR a first-bet safety net up to $1,000 with the bet365 bonus code.
3. FanDuel Sportsbook Ohio
Via a partnership with Belterra Park, a racino in Cincinnati, FanDuel Sportsbook offers a great menu of betting options and an app that is user-friendly and easy for beginners to navigate. This industry-leading app also boasts some of the most competitive odds in the market and a solid selection of sports to wager on. Same-game parlays are one of the calling cards of this app and are one of the most popular features for all kinds of users.
- App store rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.7 (Android)
- Key takeaway: User-friendly app and solid menu of available markets.
- Best feature: Same-game parlay options.
- Bonus offer: Bet $5, get $150 in bonus bets if your bet wins, plus three free months of NBA League Pass.
4. Caesars Sportsbook Ohio
Caesars Sportsbook in Ohio represents the hotel and casino company of the same name. The company’s massive portfolio includes Ohio’s Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs. In addition, Caesars has a retail partnership with the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers. Caesars also recently debuted a horse betting app in Ohio. The Caesars app is basic in design with few innovative features, but it provides many options for bettors.
On top of the Caesars Sportsbook welcome bonus, the sportsbook also allows bettors access to the company’s Caesars Rewards program. Bettors can receive bonuses through the sports betting app and credits for sports tickets, dining, getaways, and VIP experiences through the vast Caesars network of hotels and casinos.
- App store rating: 4.6 (iOS), 4.5 (Android)
- Key takeaway: Solid app with above-average promotions using the promo code.
- Best feature: Caesars Rewards
- Bonus offer: Bet $1, double your winnings on next 10 wagers.
5. BetRivers Sportsbook Ohio
BetRivers is another sportsbook that has been expanding its national footprint. The BetRivers bonus code is currently available and offers access to a promo of up to $100. In Ohio, the sportsbook has partnered with the Hollywood Casino in Dayton. BetRivers Sportsbook stands out with one of the best rewards programs in sports betting and offers a good variety of sports and wagering options, but there have been mixed reviews on the platform’s overall performance.
- App store rating: 4.1 (iOS), 3.6 (Android)
- Key takeaway: Average app with above-average promotions and bonuses.
- Best feature: iRush Rewards
- Bonus offer: Second-chance bet up to $100.
6. Fanatics Sportsbook Ohio
Fanatics Sportsbook tested its beta product in Ohio and launched its full app to customers in August 2023. The sportsbook has established a strong foothold in the state, striking deals with both the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets and MLB’s Cleveland Guardians.
The app itself is still a work in progress as it can be buggy and slow at times, affecting the overall usability and sports betting experience. However, there are plenty of features for new users, including a curated “Discover” page with personalized bets, promos, and rewards.
FanCash, the app’s loyalty program, is another popular feature. FanCash lets users collect bonus funds they can redeem for merchandise on the Fanatics website or for bonus bets in the app.
- App store rating: 4.7 (iOS), 3.5 (Android)
- Key takeaway: New app with interesting features
- Best feature: FanCash
- Bonus offer: Bet and get up to $1,000 in no-sweat bets. No code necessary.
Ohio sportsbook promos
With so many sports betting apps for Ohio bettors to choose from, deciding which book to sign up with can be challenging. But not all sportsbooks are created equal, and some have better bonuses and promos available for new bettors than others.
Below is a breakdown of some Ohio sportsbook promos for new users, along with the codes you’ll need to claim them:
- BetMGM bonus code: Up to $1,500 in bonus bets paid back if your first bet does not win. Use the code LSR50.
- Bet365 bonus code: Bet $5, get $150 OR a first bet safety net up to $1,000. Use the bet365 bonus code LSROH.
- FanDuel bonus code: Bet $5, get $150 in bonus bets if your bet wins, plus three free months of NBA League Pass. No promo code necessary; click to claim.
- Caesars promo code: Bet $1, double your winnings on next 10 wagers. Use the code LSRDYW.
- BetRivers affiliate code: Second-chance bet up to $100. Use the code LSRRIV.
- Fanatics Sportsbook promo: Bet and get up to $1,000 in no-sweat bets. No code necessary; click to claim.
How to bet on sports in Ohio
1. Choose a sportsbook
With 15 live Ohio sports betting apps to choose from, bettors can wager at a variety of sites. Whether you prioritize bonuses, odds, interesting features, or aesthetics, there is an Ohio sportsbook that should suit your taste. Signing up at more than one sports betting site can also be beneficial to ensure you’re getting the best lines for your bets.
2. Sign up
Once you have picked your app, sign up by following the prompts on your phone or device. In Ohio, you can do this from anywhere in the state by simply providing some form of identification and creating a profile. The app will verify that you are within state lines.
3. Claim your Ohio sportsbook promo
Enter the code above that corresponds with your sportsbook of choice and claim your promo or bonus. Each app will have different promos available for new users, and more bonuses will be available once you’re signed up and are ready to bet. For example the DraftKings promo code offers a deposit match while the FanDuel promo code offers a bet-and-get promo. The different types of bonuses are outlined below.
4. Deposit funds
You can deposit funds into your account in many ways, but legal sportsbooks usually make this part of the process easy. Available banking methods generally include a credit card, debit card, PayPal, or a bank transfer.
Make sure to check with your financial institution before selecting a payment method to see if it charges any transaction fees.
5. Start betting
Once you have deposited some money and claimed your bonus, you can begin betting. Whether you want to wager on a futures bet involving the Columbus Blue Jackets or a Cleveland Browns point spread, there will be plenty of options to bet on Ohio sports.
Make sure you find the best lines by comparing apps, as not every sportsbook has the same lines. Check here for the best NFL odds on every spread, total, or moneyline at Ohio sportsbooks.
Bonus and promotion definitions
With Ohio online sports betting, bettors can claim bonuses and some of the top sportsbook promos on the market. Although the promos are subject to change, they typically fall into one of the below categories, and it’s helpful to know how to recognize what each one means for you.
- No deposit bonus: Available when you register for an account. These bonuses often result in the sportsbook placing site credits into players’ accounts to entice the bettor to try the app.
- Deposit bonus: With deposit bonuses, the app matches a portion of your deposit amount with extra money. The percentage that the book will match can vary, as can the maximum in bonus dollars you can receive.
- First-bet offer: There may be a deposit requirement to qualify. You can make your first bet once you have made your initial deposit. If you win that first bet, you generally continue betting as usual. If you lose that first bet, however, the site will often match whatever your initial deposit was with site credits. You won’t be able to withdraw that credited amount until you meet a playthrough requirement as it’s meant to be played on the site.
- Rewards programs: Rewards or loyalty programs award points or credits as you place wagers. For every dollar you bet, these points accumulate and are eligible for you to redeem later for bonus bets. Sometimes, points can also qualify you for free or reduced-cost hotel stays or event tickets. You will automatically enroll in many of these programs at the participating sportsbook.
- Odds boosts: Odds boosts involve the inflation of selected bet payouts by the sportsbooks beyond what the odds would normally suggest. The boosts are designed to generate action on particular wagers and increase the potential payout.
As mentioned, some of these offers will yield site credits or bet vouchers that require you to wager before you can withdraw the funds. This requirement is called a playthrough or wagering requirement. It is a multiple of the number of bonus dollars you receive. Make sure to read through the terms and conditions of any bonus before you accept the promotion.
Complete list of Ohio sportsbooks
Below are the 15 Ohio sportsbook apps that are live in the state as of December 2024. Betway, SuperBook, and Tipico, not included on the list below, are available only for customers to withdraw funds from their accounts.
- Bally Bet
- Bet365
- BetJACK
- MVGBet (Betly)
- BetMGM
- BetPARX
- Betr
- BetRivers
- Caesars
- DraftKings
- ESPN Bet
- Fanatics
- FanDuel
- Hard Rock Bet
- Prime Sportsbook
What sportsbooks are legal in Ohio?
While 15 Ohio sportsbooks are available right now, more are licensed in the state but have not launched, and others have yet to receive regulatory approval. Tipico, Betfred, and Betway are technically still available in the state, but only for withdrawals from existing customers. Below is a complete list of Ohio sportsbooks, along with their in-state partner and application status.
| Online sportsbook | Ohio partner | Application status |
|---|---|---|
| Bally Bet | Cleveland Browns | Launched |
| Bet365 | Cleveland Guardians | Launched |
| Betfred | Cincinnati Bengals | Exiting the state soon |
| BetJACK | JACK Cleveland Casino | Launched |
| MVGBet (Betly) | Miami Valley Gaming & Racing | Launched |
| BetMGM | MGM Northfield Park | Launched |
| BetPARX | Muirfield Village Golf Club | Launched |
| Betr | Pro Football Hall of Fame Village | Launched |
| BetRivers | Hollywood Casino Dayton | Launched |
| Betway | Belterra Park | Exiting the state soon |
| Caesars | Scioto Downs | Launched |
| N/A | Cavaliers Operating Company | Conditional approval |
| DraftKings | Hollywood Casino Toledo | Launched |
| ESPN Bet | Hollywood Casino Columbus | Launched |
| Fanatics | Columbus Blue Jackets, Cleveland Guardians | Launched |
| FanDuel | Belterra Park | Launched |
| Hard Rock Bet | Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati | Launched |
| Prime Sportsbook | Spire Institute | Launched |
| N/A | Stark Enterprises | Submitted |
| Tipico | Columbus Crew | Exiting the state soon |
| Underdog Sportsbook | Cincinnati Reds | Conditional approval |
| WynnBet | JACK Thistledown Racino | Conditional approval |
Ohio sports betting law
Betting on sports is legal in Ohio after the passage of HB 29.
The language of the law created the potential for dozens of sportsbooks to set up shop in Ohio. There are several types of sports betting licenses that companies may pursue, meaning Ohioans may soon see legal options pop up close to them, wherever they might be. Here’s the structure for the licenses that companies can pursue:
- Type A — There are 25 of these licenses available. They are reserved for companies operating inside Ohio or the state’s Type B licensees. Although the language of a license’s eligibility is vague, it is understood that the intended licensees are the state’s casinos and major professional sports organizations. Other businesses in Ohio are more likely to use a Type C license if they want to offer sports betting. Type A licenses permit only one online skin, but the state’s casinos and qualified sports organizations can apply for a second skin if they demonstrate an economic need for one.
- Type B — Type B licenses are for physical sportsbooks inside Ohio. The Ohio Casino Control Commission may issue up to 40 such licenses. The number of licenses available in each county depends, in part, on the county’s population. Even the largest counties in Ohio may have no more than five retail locations, and counties with fewer than 50,000 residents cannot host a sportsbook.
- Type C — Type C licenses are the most numerous in the state, as they are reserved for holders of Class D liquor licenses. In other words, bars, restaurants, and other locations that serve alcohol can potentially be locations for sports betting kiosks. Any retailer that sells Ohio Lottery tickets may apply.
Online sportsbook operators that partnered with Type A licensees must apply for a mobile management services provider license to be eligible for such a partnership.
Ohio sports betting revenue by the numbers
Ohio launched legal sports betting on New Year’s Day in 2023 and has immediately become one of the top markets nationwide. Below are tables displaying Ohio sports betting handle, revenue, and taxes for 2023 and the start of 2024, as well as a month-by-month breakdown.
Ohio sports betting year over year
| Year | Handle | Revenue | Taxes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 to date | $4,074,850,574 | $436,100,688 | $87,605,766 |
| 2023 | $7,594,118,451 | $1,047,598,415 | $133,252,221 |
Ohio sports betting month over month
| Month | Handle | Revenue | Taxes |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2024 | $525,612,343 | $51,266,301 | $10,270,112 |
| May 2024 | $606,573,141 | $67,365,769 | $13,506,810 |
| April 2024 | $668,027,816 | $74,028,160 | $14,813,313 |
| March 2024 | $802,632,458 | $63,804,330 | $12,792,592 |
| February 2024 | $666,845,168 | $66,374,384 | $13,549,445 |
| January 2024 | $806,149,042 | $113,367,294 | $22,697,038 |
| December 2023 | $826,100,577 | $87,235,462 | $17,486,186 |
| November 2023 | $861,168,637 | $67,854,690 | $13,650,718 |
| October 2023 | $742,945,929 | $80,385,098 | $16,148,132 |
| September 2023 | $686,244,860 | $81,639,905 | $16,375,764 |
| August 2023 | $375,076,377 | $40,786,643 | $8,175,341 |
| July 2023 | $328,811,653 | $37,273,216 | $7,466,419 |
Other legal betting options in Ohio
Aside from betting on horse racing and sports betting, Ohio is also home to a robust list of casinos and racinos.
With the advent of legal betting apps in Ohio, betting at regulated sportsbooks is essential. Some offshore sports betting apps accept wagers from people in Ohio, but they are not legal. Without holding a license from any US jurisdiction, these offshore websites can’t be counted on to pay out winnings or resolve any potential disputes.
The only safe and protected way to bet on sports in the US is to do so at a licensed sportsbook. In addition to online options, Ohio is now home to several of those brick-and-mortar locations.
Land-based Ohio sportsbooks
Below is a list of legal retail sports betting locations in Ohio:
| Retail Location | Sportsbook | City |
|---|---|---|
| Belterra Park | FanDuel | Cincinnati |
| BetMGM Sportsbook at The Banks | BetMGM | Cincinnati |
| Eldorado Scioto Downs | Caesars | Columbus |
| Fanatics Sportsbook in the Arena District | Fanatics Sportsbook | Columbus |
| Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati | Hard Rock | Cincinnati |
| Hollywood Casino Columbus | PENN Play | Columbus |
| Hollywood Casino Toledo | PENN Play | Toledo |
| Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway | PENN Play | Dayton |
| Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley | PENN Play | Youngstown |
| JACK Cleveland Casino | BetJACK | Cleveland |
| JACK Thistledown Racino | BetJACK | Cleveland |
| MGM Northfield Park | BetMGM | Northfield |
| Miami Valley Gaming | MVGBet (Betly) | Lebanon |
| Fanatics Sportsbook at Progressive Field | Fanatics Sportsbook | Cleveland |
| Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse | Caesars | Cleveland |
Sports betting kiosks
In addition to the in-person sports betting locations in the table above, people in Ohio can place legal bets on kiosks. More than 1,000 businesses in Ohio have been approved to host a sports betting kiosk, and there are nearly 1,000 active kiosks statewide. Any holder of a Class D liquor license can apply, meaning Ohio bettors can place wagers in participating bars, restaurants, convenience stores, and grocery stores.
There are restrictions in place when operating a sports betting kiosk in Ohio as each proprietor can program their own house rules into the terminals. In general, players are able to make picks, fund their bets, and redeem winning tickets on the kiosks. Wager rules, minimum and maximum bets, disputes, and other details may be decided by the house rules.
You must be 21 or older to use a kiosk, and bettors cannot place a wager of more than $700. The kiosks also have a weekly limit of $700.
Sportsbooks to avoid in Ohio
Online sportsbooks such as Bovada and BetOnline should be avoided in Ohio. Any offshore sportsbook that claims to operate in the United States is doing so illegally. These offshore sportsbooks are not licensed in Ohio or any other state, so customers are not protected should a book decide not to pay out bets. Offshore books may also close accounts without notice, and deposits and withdrawals can sometimes have issues. We recommend using only legal, regulated sports betting apps to place bets in Ohio.
Most popular sports to bet on in Ohio
Championships might be few and far between, but Ohio has a long history in professional sports and at least one team in every major league. Fandom for many major sports in the state is divided between Cincinnati in the southwest and Cleveland in the northeast.
NFL betting in Ohio
The Cleveland Browns played in the league championship game their first 10 years in existence. Yet the Browns have never won a Super Bowl, which started in 1967.
The last of their four NFL championships came in 1964. Worse, the original Browns franchise won two Super Bowls after moving to Baltimore and becoming the Ravens in 1995. The Cleveland Browns started anew in 1999 and have only made the playoffs once since. Despite the struggles, the Dawg Pound remains rabid.
If it makes Browns fans feel any better, the cross-state Cincinnati Bengals have never won a Super Bowl — though they did appear in one in 2022. The Bengals were the worst team in the league in 2019, landing the top pick in the draft and reason to be optimistic about the future with Heisman-winning QB Joe Burrow at the helm.
NBA betting in Ohio
LeBron James put his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers on the map, leading them to the NBA title in 2016. Since King James left, the Cavaliers have been a team in transition, slowly building back to contender status.
MLB betting in Ohio
Ohio has more than 200 years of combined Major League Baseball history. In fact, the state was the birthplace of professional baseball. The Cincinnati Red Stockings became baseball’s first openly all-professional team in 1869, a year in which it went a perfect 57-0.
A Cincinnati Reds team was a charter member of the National League in 1876. However, four years later, that team was kicked out of the league for refusing to agree not to sell beer at games. The modern Cincinnati Reds were formed in 1881 and have won five World Series titles, the latest in 1990.
Fans of the Cleveland Guardians don’t feel the least bit bad for their cross-state counterparts. The Guardians (formerly the Indians) haven’t won a World Series in 72 years. They flirted with breaking the streak over the last few seasons, winning the AL Central four times from 2016-22, including a World Series appearance in 2016.
NHL betting in Ohio
Columbus technically has the largest population of any city in Ohio, but the only major professional team it has is the Columbus Blue Jackets of the NHL. The newcomer to Ohio professional sports, founded in 2000, has yet to kiss the Stanley Cup, but it did win its first playoff series in 2019.
NCAA betting in Ohio
While fandom around the state is divided into regions in sports, most of Ohio can unite to root for Ohio State in NCAA football. One of the most prestigious programs in the country, the Buckeyes have won eight national championships since their founding in 1890, including taking the first College Football Playoff national championship in 2014.
The Cincinnati Bearcats also have made some noise in football of late, appearing in the 2021 Cotton Bowl versus Alabama (one of the two CFP semifinal games) and finishing with nine or more wins in five straight seasons.
The state of Ohio hasn’t had as much success in NCAA basketball. The Buckeyes do have 11 Final Four appearances and an NCAA Tournament title back in 1960. The Bearcats have an active streak of nine consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.
The Xavier Musketeers make the tournament pretty much every year, though they have yet to make a Final Four. The Dayton Flyers and Miami Redhawks play occasional Cinderella come March Madness.
Ohio and daily fantasy sports
Ohio legalized daily fantasy sports in 2018. The industry-friendly law set a $10,000 maximum annual licensing fee and installed no tax on DFS platforms.
Interestingly given the Ohio sports betting debate, the Ohio Casino Control Commission has oversight of DFS.
With the legal clarification, major DFS sites such as DraftKings, FanDuel, Yahoo, and Fantasy Draft operate in Ohio.
Ohio sports betting timeline
2024: In its first year of legal sports betting (2023), Ohio was the sixth largest market in the US by total betting handle.
According to GeoComply, Paycor Stadium (the home of the Cincinnati Bengals) led all NFL venues in in-stadium online sports betting with an average of 67,000 transactions per game during the 2023-24 season.
Ohio legislators banned college player prop bets in the state early in the year.
April’s sports betting handle pushed Ohio over $10 billion in handle since launching on Jan. 1, 2023. It took Ohio 16 months to reach $10 billion, the shortest span of time of any state.
SuperBook and Betfred announced they are both exiting Ohio. SuperBook has stopped accepting new deposits or bets, and Betfred is exiting on Aug. 31. The last day to deposit on Betfred is July 31, and the last day to bet is Aug. 14.
MGM considered selling Northfield Park, according to Bloomberg. The Northfield racino has a 2,200-square-foot sportsbook.
2023: Legal online sports betting officially launches in Ohio on New Year’s Day.
Ohio sports betting handle was a whopping $1.11 billion in January, the state’s first full month of operation. Of that total, $1.09 billion is via online sports betting. Revenue is $208.9 million, a single-month record for any state.
New legislation in the state increases the tax on Ohio sports betting platforms to 20% of their revenue, up from the original 10%.
2022: In the wake of DeWine’s signature on HB 29, the Ohio Casino Control Commission spends the first half of 2022 preparing its rules for administering sports betting.
The commission confirms on the first day of June that sports betting will begin in Ohio on New Year’s Day 2023. Two weeks later, the OCCC begins to receive the first of the sports betting license applications. The first companies to apply for licensure are BetMGM and PointsBet, but other interested parties quickly join them. The Cincinnati Bengals became the first Ohio sports franchise to apply for its own license in July 2022.
2021: Sen. Kirk Schuring introduces his own sports betting bill, SB 176, in May 2021. Schuring realizes that the chance of a hearing for SB 176 in the House before the summer 2021 recess is very low, so he takes the bill’s guts and grafts them onto an unrelated measure, HB 29, that has a better chance of moving forward.
After several months of debate, HB 29 passes through the House and Senate with several amendments in place to allow sports betting. Although several of the particulars of the bill change from Schuring’s initial vision, the basic shape of SB 176 is signed by DeWine in late December.
2020: After multiple delays, the House Finance Committee finally advances an Ohio sports betting bill on its ninth hearing. The House promptly passes the bill a day later, prior to its summer recess.
However, the bill does not survive beyond the 2020 legislative session.
2019: S 111 gets the most important supporter of all in Gov. Mike DeWine, who would need to sign off on the legislation.
The House Finance Committee holds eight hearings on the bill. The only real conclusion was that the bill would not include an official league data mandate. The Senate holds one hearing, content to wait until the House bill comes over.
Ohio sports betting conclusion
Since launching at 12:01 a.m. on New Year’s Day 2023, Ohio sports betting has grown quickly into one of the more important markets nationwide. With six pro sports teams and several major colleges in the state, there is a considerable appetite for sports and sports betting in Ohio, and that hunger has been evident in the first year of legal betting. Through the end of November 2023, bettors have wagered more than $6.8 billion in Ohio, resulting in $847.9 million in revenue and $115.6 million in taxes back to the state.
Ohio sportsbooks and responsible gambling
The state of Ohio and the OCCC have put several resources in place to help support people who suffer from problem gambling. The Ohio government website has pages with tips and information on spotting warning signs and an extensive resource page where bettors can find assistance depending on their specific issue.
Ohioans can also call the Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-589-9966, 24 hours a day.
Ohio sports betting FAQ
The Ohio Casino Control Commission oversees all gambling in the state and, as such, also manages and regulates the legal sports betting market.
Yes. The 2021 law calls for legal online sports betting with remote registration. Online sports betting in Ohio began on New Year’s Day 2023.
Anyone who is 21 or older and inside Ohio may place a wager on sports. You may need to furnish proof of your age during the registration process. Additionally, you will need to verify your location within the state through each app’s geolocation software.
You can bet on sports at any of several online sportsbooks. In addition, all of Ohio’s casinos, racinos, racetracks, and major sports arenas are either planning to offer onsite sports betting or are eligible to do so. The short answer is that you can bet on sports throughout Ohio and have many options for doing so.
Yes. Whether you plan to bet on the Ohio State Buckeyes, the Cincinnati Bearcats, or one of the other major college teams in the Buckeye State, you are be able to do so at all sportsbooks in Ohio. In 2024, however, the state prohibited prop bets on individual college athletes.
Yes, horse betting is legal in Ohio. The Ohio State Racing Commission launched in 1933 after the legislature approved pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing. Horses race yearly in Ohio, with thoroughbred racing at tracks in Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Youngstown. Quarter-horse races and harness racing also take place in Ohio. Seven of the 11 casinos in Ohio are racinos at the site of tracks with live horse racing.
Additionally, People in Ohio can participate in Kentucky Derby betting or wagering on other races through sites such as FanDuel Racing.
No. Any website that says it takes wagers from anywhere in the United States operates illegally. These sites offer no protection to people who use them. All US sportsbooks are licensed at the state level.