Ohio Sports Betting – All 20 Sportsbook Apps September 2023
Ohio sports betting is live and legal. DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, FanDuel and BetRivers are among 20 active Ohio sports betting apps currently offering welcome bonuses and promotions for new users.
Best Ohio sports betting sites available in September 2023
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Is sports betting legal in Ohio?
Yes, Ohio sports betting is legal and available for play in the state. A number of online sportsbook apps and physical sports betting locations went live on Jan. 1, 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.
What’s happening in Ohio sports betting right now
- Sept. 27, 2023 — Once located inside the Cincinnati Reds’ stadium, Great American Ballpark, BetMGM’s Cincinnati sportsbook is now located in The Banks, between its old location and Paycor Stadium, home of the Cincinnati Bengals.
- Sept. 26, 2023 — The OCCC fined Hollywood Casino Columbus $200,000 for incidents related to people under the age of 21 accessing the casino and understaffed security.
- Sept. 21, 2023 — Operations are reportedly back to normal after a cyber attack on BetMGM caused the BetMGM Northfield Park racino to experience some minor issues
- Sept. 14, 2023 — Prime Sportsbook launched in Ohio. There are now 20 live sports betting sites available in the state.
- Sept. 13, 2023 — The Cleveland Browns are partnering with Bally’s to open a new retail sportsbook in downtown Cleveland.
- Sept. 5, 2023 — Ohio sports betting handle fell to $331.1 million in July, down 8.6% from June. Revenue, however, increased 13.5% month-over-month, hitting $37.1 million in July.
- Aug. 30, 2023 — Bally Bet officially launched in Ohio. Partnered with the Cleveland Browns, Bally Bet is the 19th live sports betting site in Ohio. The operator plans to relaunch in five other states after a multi-month hiatus.
Comparing the top Ohio sports betting sites
Ohio has allotted 25 slots for online sports betting apps. Many sportsbooks launched when the state went live on Jan. 1, 2023, but more continued to trickle in over the following months. There are now plenty of options for Ohio bettors, but each app comes with its own pros and cons. Ultimately, what works best for you will come down to personal preference and the way you like to bet. Here’s a quick look at some of the top sportsbooks in Ohio in several key categories:
- Best sportsbooks for top events: DraftKings, FanDuel. These two books are consistently at the top of the charts for handle in Ohio. They’re on point for top games and events, with innovative features like DraftKings’ pools and FanDuel’s same-game parlays.
- Best sportsbooks with biggest overall selection: BetMGM, Bet365. While all of the top sportsbooks have a good selection of sports to choose from, BetMGM and Bet365 have a deeper menu of available markets for bettors to choose from.
- Most consistently competitive odds: Betway. The Ohio sports betting marketplace is incredibly competitive with so many sportsbooks now available in the state. That means sportsbooks are always looking for a way to set themselves apart from each other. Betway does that by consistently paying careful attention to the odds and lines from release right to game time and through live betting.
- Top sportsbook for player rewards: Caesars. Caesars Sportsbook is renowned for its Caesars Rewards program that gives bettors access to not only bonuses through the sports betting app, but credits for sports tickets, dining, getaways, and VIP experiences through the vast Caesars network of hotels and casinos.
1. Bet365 Sportsbook
An international sportsbook now available in Ohio’s legal market, Bet365 sportsbook is best known for its selection of live wagers from across the world and offering some obscure sports as well as some options to edit bets. The online book landed an exclusive deal with the MLB’s Cleveland Guardians.
- 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 $1 get $365
- Use Bet365 Sportsbook bonus code LSROH
2. Caesars Sportsbook
Caesars Sportsbook in Ohio is live in the state, representing 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 comes with a slew of options for bettors.
- App store rating: 4.6 (iOS), 4.5 (Android)
- Key takeaway: Solid app with above-average promotions using the Caesars sportsbook promo code.
- Best feature: Caesars Rewards
- Bonus offer: $1,000
3. BetMGM Sportsbook
BetMGM Sportsbook is live and available for betting in Ohio. Representing MGM Resorts, MGM already has a presence in Ohio through its ownership of the MGM Northfield Park. Its “Edit My Bet” feature allow users to change a bet after submitting it. BetMGM is also a popular option for unique betting markets 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: $1,500
4. BetRivers Sportsbook
BetRivers is another sportsbook that has been expanding its national footprint. In Ohio, it has partnered with the Hollywood Casino Columbus. BetRivers Sportsbook stands out with one of the best rewards programs in the industry and offers a good variety of sports and betting 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: $100
5. Betfred Sportsbook
Nearly a dozen states now have Betfred Sportsbook available, including Ohio. The welcome bonus is one of the largest remaining in the betting industry. Either on desktop or mobile, the sportsbook is easy to navigate but is fairly generic. There’s a number of sports to place wagers on, but the betting market in general is limited compared to the competition.
- App store rating: 4.0 (iOS), 4.2 (Android)
- Key takeaway: Decent sports selection but lacks live betting options.
- Best feature: Daily odds boosts
- Bonus offer: Up to $1,111 with Betfred promo code LSRBONUS
6. Betway Sportsbook
A big player in Europe’s sports betting scene, Betway is growing in popularity in North America and offering bonuses for new users in Ohio. The app is known for its deep menu of available markets and its intuitive design. This is not the flashiest app, and it could use some more interesting features, but it is easy to navigate and use.
- App store rating: 4.7 (iOS), 4.3 (Android)
- Key takeaway: Competitive odds and an easy-to-use app.
- Best feature: Sports coverage
- Bonus offer: Bet $20, get a $40 bonus bet on your first wager. No code necessary.
Full list of Ohio sports betting sites
There are 20 live sports betting apps available in Ohio as of September 2023, and the list is constantly changing. Here is a summary of the application status and partnerships for the legal online sportsbooks in Ohio:
| Online sportsbook | Ohio partner | Application status |
|---|---|---|
| Bally Bet | Cleveland Browns | Launched |
| Barstool | Hollywood Casino Columbus | Launched |
| Bet365 | Cleveland Guardians | Launched |
| Betfred | Cincinnati Bengals | Launched |
| BetJACK | JACK Casinos | Launched |
| MVGBet (Betly) | Miami Valley Gaming & Racing | Launched |
| BetMGM | MGM Northfield Park | Launched |
| BetPARX | Muirfield Village Golf Course | Launched |
| Betr | Pro Football Hall of Fame Village | Launched |
| BetRivers | Hollywood Casino Dayton | Launched |
| Betway | Belterra Park | Launched |
| Caesars | Scioto Downs | Launched |
| DraftKings | Hollywood Casino Toledo | Launched |
| Fanatics | Columbus Blue Jackets | Launched |
| FanDuel | Belterra Park | Launched |
| Hard Rock Bet | Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati | Launched |
| PointsBet | Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley | Launched |
| Prime Sportsbook | Spire Institute | Launched |
| SuperBook | FC Cincinnati | Launched |
| Tipico | Columbus Crew | Launched |
| Underdog | Cincinnati Reds | Conditional approval |
Daily Deals in Virginia
How to sign up at an Ohio sportsbook
No matter the sportsbook app you ultimately choose to use in Ohio, the procedure for getting started is going to be remarkably similar and fairly quick. In fact, signing up goes through the same steps everywhere. Here’s what to do:
- Download and install the app on your mobile device.
- Register for an account.
- Fund your account.
- Make your first wager.
Bonuses and promotions definitions
With Ohio online sports betting live, bettors can take advantage of bonuses and top sportsbook promos. Although the offers will always change, they typically fall into one of the categories listed below, and it’s helpful to know how to recognize the offers and what they mean for you.
- No deposit: A no deposit bonus, also known as a welcome bonus, is usually applied to new players as a reward for their registrations. They involve the placement of site credits into players’ accounts in order to give the app a try.
- Deposit: With deposit bonuses, the app matches a portion of your deposit amount with extra money. The percentage matched varies, as does the limit of bonus dollars you can acquire.
- First-bet offer: With a first-bet offer, there may be a deposit requirement to qualify. Once you have made your initial deposit, you can make your first bet. If you win that first bet, you can continue as usual. If you lose that first bet, the site will often match whatever your initial deposit was with site credits. You won’t be able to withdraw that credited amount as it’s meant to be played on site.
- Rewards programs: Rewards or loyalty programs award you points for each dollar that you wager on the app. These points serve one or two functions, depending on the program. No matter the app, your point total will place you on a reward system. Your points may also be redeemable in specialized stores, which offer bonus bets and branded swag that you cannot purchase with cash.
- Odds boosts: Odds boosts involve the manual inflation of selected bet payouts beyond what their odds would 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 play before you can withdraw the funds. This requirement is called a playthrough or wagering requirement. It is a multiple of the amount of bonus dollars you receive. Make sure to read through the terms and conditions of any bonus offer before you accept the promotion.
Latest Ohio sports betting news
Ohio Sports Betting Sees New Market Leader In July
DraftKings hit the top spot in Ohio sports betting online handle in July with $116.1 million. It is the first time DraftKings accepted the most OH sports betting dollars since…
Ohio sports betting law
Ohio is a legal sports betting state after the passage of HB 29.
The language of the law creates the potential for dozens of sportsbooks to set up shop in Ohio. There are several different types of sports betting licenses that companies may pursue, and Ohioans are soon to 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 slots allotted for this type of license. They are reserved for companies operating inside of Ohio or Type B licensees in the state. 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 can demonstrate an economic need for one.
- Type B — Type B licenses are reserved for physical sportsbooks inside Ohio. There are 40 licenses that the OCCC may issue. The number of licenses that may be issued is determined, in part, by the population of the county in which it would reside. Even the largest counties in Ohio may have no more than five retail locations, and counties with fewer than 50,000 residents aren’t permitted to host a sportsbook.
- Type C — Type C licenses are set to be the most numerous in the state, as they are reserved for Class D liquor licensees in the state. In other words, bars, restaurants, and other locations that serve alcohol might soon 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 in order to be eligible for such a partnership.
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 sites in Ohio, it is important to bet only on regulated sportsbooks. There are illegal offshore sports betting apps that accept bets from people in Ohio. Without holding a license from any US jurisdiction, these offshore websites can’t be counted on to pay out winnings.
The only safe and protected way to bet on sports in the US is to do so with a licensed operator. Ohio is now home to several of those.
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 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 was in 1964. Worse, what was previously the Cleveland Browns 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.
- Super Bowl 58 odds for Browns to win:
- Super Bowl 58 odds for Bengals to win:
NBA betting in Ohio
LeBron James put his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers on the map, winning them the NBA title in 2016. Since King James left, the Cavaliers have been a team in transition, slowly building the team back to contender status.
MLB betting in Ohio
There’s more than 200 years of combined Major League Baseball history in Ohio, which could be considered the birthplace of professional baseball. The Cincinnati Red Stockings became baseball’s first all-professional team in 1869, a year in which they went a perfect 57-0.
A Cincinnati Reds team was a charter member of the National League in 1876. However, that team was kicked out of the league four years later 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 2016-2022 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 did finally win its first playoff series in 2019.
NCAA betting in Ohio
While fandom around the state is divided into regions in the professional sports, most of Ohio can come together 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 vs 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. And the Bearcats have an active streak of nine consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.
Not to be outdone, 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.
Sports betting in nearby states
- Michigan sports betting
- Indiana sports betting
- Kentucky sports betting
- West Virginia sports betting
- Pennsylvania sports betting
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 operators.
Interestingly given the Ohio sports betting debate, the Ohio Casino Control Commission was granted oversight of DFS.
With the legal clarification, major DFS sites such as DraftKings, FanDuel, Yahoo and Fantasy Draft operated in Ohio.
Ohio sports betting timeline
2023
Legal online sports betting officially launched in Ohio on January 1 at the stroke of midnight. Several online sportsbooks including DraftKings and FanDuel began taking bets in the state.
Ohio sports betting handle was a whopping $1.11 billion in January, the state’s first full month in operation. $1.09 billion of that total came via online sports betting. Revenue was $208.9 million, a single-month record for any state.
New legislation passed in the state increased the tax on Ohio sports betting operators to 20% of their revenue, up from the original 10%.
PENN Entertainment sold Barstool Sports back to founder Dave Portnoy, and plans to rebrand Barstool Sportsbook as ESPN Bet in the fall.
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 in the Buckeye State. It releases several different sets of rules for public comment and adjusts the language in the proposals according to feedback from stakeholders. In addition, the licensing applications are subject to the same type of public comment.
In early May, the OCCC announces that it will accept license applications for most types of sports betting licenses during a month-long window in June 2022 and July 2022. The remaining licenses will gain access to the process in their own window, a month-long opportunity immediately following the first window and stretching into August 2022.
The commission confirms on the first day of June that sports betting will begin in Ohio on Jan. 1, 2023, as previously suggested. 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 they are quickly joined by other interested parties. The Cincinnati Bengals become the first Ohio sports franchise to apply for its own license in July 2022. On Aug. 3, OCCC Executive Director Matt Schuler said sportsbooks can accept bets at midnight on January 1.
2021
With new legislators, like State Sen. Kirk Schuring, taking up the cause of passing an OH sports betting bill, the process essentially started over again in Ohio.
Schuring introduced his own sports betting bill, SB 176, in May 2021. The bill passed through the Senate after about a month of discussion, but its momentum stalled when it reached the House.
Schuring realized that the chance of a hearing for SB 176 in the House before the summer 2021 recess was very low, so he took the guts of the bill and grafted them onto an unrelated measure, HB 29, that had a better opportunity to move forward.
After several months of debate, HB 29 passed through the House and Senate with several amendments in place to allow sports betting. Although several of the particulars of the bill changed from Schuring’s initial vision, the basic shape of SB 176 was signed by DeWine in late December.
2020
After multiple delays, the House Finance Committee finally advanced an Ohio sports betting bill on its ninth hearing. The House promptly passed the bill a day later, prior to its summer recess.
Rep. Dave Greenspan said that he planned to reach out to Senate sponsor Sen. John Eklund to discuss the differences between their bills over the summer with the hope of coming into the fall session in September ready to pass the legislation.
In addition to oversight, the key differences between the bills are the tax rate (House 10%, Senate 6.25%), that the House bill allows veterans’ and fraternal organizations to have sports betting while the Senate bill limits it to state casinos and racinos, and that all proceeds from sports betting go to education in the House version while the Senate places the revenue in the general fund.
Unfortunately, neither bill nor the legislative terms of Greenspan and Eklund survived beyond the 2020 legislative session. The two lame duck lawmakers attempted to pass the bill through the Senate in the waning days after the November 2020 election, but could not get enough votes together.
2019
Eklund and Greenspan introduced their bills, then spent most of the year arguing in the press on the merits of each regulator and building a coalition of support.
H 194 got support from the Legislative Service Commission and key Sen. William Coley, who served as president of the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States. But S 111 got most important supporter of all in Gov. Mike DeWine, the guy who needs to sign off on the legislation.
The House Finance Committee held eight hearings on the bill. The only real conclusion was that the bill would not include an official league data mandate. The Senate held one hearing, content to wait until the House bill comes over.
Ohio sports betting FAQ
Who oversees legal sports betting in Ohio?
The Ohio Casino Control Commission oversees all gambling in the state and as such will also manage and regulate the incoming legal sports betting market.
Does Ohio allow mobile sports betting?
Yes. The 2021 law calls for legal online sports betting with remote registration. Online sports betting in Ohio began on Jan. 1, 2023.
Who can bet on sports in Ohio?
Anyone over the age of 21 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 lines through each app’s geolocation software.
Where can I bet on sports in Ohio?
You can bet on sports at any of several online sportsbooks that launched on Jan. 1. 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.
Can I bet on college sports in Ohio?
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.
Is horse racing legal in Ohio?
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 throughout the year in Ohio, with thoroughbred racing at tracks in Cleveland, Cincinnati and Youngstown. Quarter horse races and harness racing also takes place in Ohio. Seven of the 11 casinos in Ohio are racinos on the site of tracks with live horse racing.
Online horse betting is available in Ohio through sites such as TVG, TwinSpires, BetAmerica and, most recently, Caesars Racebook.
There are some sports betting websites that say they accept bets from the United States. Are those legal options?
No. Any website that says it takes wagers from anywhere in the United States is operating illegally. These sites offer no protection to people who bet with them. All US sportsbooks are licensed at the state level.