Ohio Sports Betting Updates

Ohio Sports Betting Updates

The sports betting bill in Ohio was passed in December 2021, making it legal to bet and operate in the state. Rick Anthony, who is the deputy executive director of the Ohio Casino Control Commission stated, however, that 2022 will be used to understand how the market should be best formed and regulated, before setting up and launching the market officially.

Is Sports Betting Legal in Ohio?

The short answer is yes. The long answer though is a little more involved. HB29, a sports betting bill was passed in December 2021, but at this stage there are no sportsbooks launched, and this is likely to remain the case until January 1, 2023. This is so the Ohio Casino Control Commission can establish all regulations, and what the market will look like before entrants join.

What Classes Have Been Set Up for Sports Betting Participants?

There have been three separate sports betting classes set up, with limited spots for each, and different requirements. When it comes to Ohio sports betting, operators will need to meet the relevant criteria, which they can use 2022 to prepare for.

Here are the different classes, and their respective meanings:

A License

An A License will permit 25 sportsbooks to have an online sportsbook, and they will be eligible to apply for a second skin. This second skin will only be granted if it is beneficial to the state of Ohio however, so these online operators need to ensure they spend 2022 meeting legislations and consumer demand, while also preparing to launch a second skin that is going to help the Ohio sports betting market. Only casinos, racinos (a combined race track and casino) and sports entities will qualify for this license.

B License

This license will be granted to around 40 physical sportsbooks, which will need to be spread throughout Ohio. The criteria of how many can be in each county depends on the population of each. In a county with a population of 800,000, there must be no more than five physical locations, counties with a population of 400,000 and 799,999 must have no more than three brick and mortar locations, and for those counties with a population ranging between 100,000 and 399,999, there must be no more than two locations. If your counties' population ranges between 50,000 and 99,999, than it must see 5 million tourists visit annually for one location to even be considered.

C License

If you are granted a C License, this means you could post a maximum of two kiosks in Class D locations. This includes places that hold a liquor license, like Grocery Stores, Bars and Restaurants, which is where the likes of the Ohio Lottery currently operate.

When Will Sports Betting Officially Launch in Ohio?

The January 1, 2023 date is actually the deadline for the Ohio Sports Betting Market to launch, but there is not expected to be any movement before that date. So Ohio sports betting users will need to wait for the new year, before they get the chance to wager on their favorite sport and casino games.

Check out our Ohio Free Bets Page, for all the latest offers available in Ohio, as and when they are available.

May 2022 Ohio Sports Betting Updates

May 4 2022 - The Ohio Casino Control Commission announce they will start accepting the majority of their sport betting license applications from June 15 thru to July 15. There will be an additional window after, that will run through to August 15.

May 18 2022 - June 1 is set as the date to announce the official launch date of the Ohio Sports Betting Market.

June 2022 Ohio Sports Betting Updates

June 1 - Jan 1, 2023 is set as the official launch date of the Ohio Sports Betting Market

June 15 - Applications opened for sports betting licenses in the Ohio Sports Betting Market. Around 3000+ applications are expected.

June 20 - BetMGM and PointsBet lead the way, as they become the first online operators for sports betting licenses in Ohio.

June 22 - DraftKings apply for their mobile sports betting license. BetJACK also applied for an in-person retail license (Type B), on top of their Type A applications for their mobile and casino locations. These are the latest updates from the Ohio Casino Control Commission release the latest applications to the public.

July 2022 Ohio Sports Betting Updates

July 1 - There is now two weeks left, before the applications for mobile sports betting licenses are closed. July 15 was the date set in the HB29 bill for applications, before they consider the 25 licenses they will grant.

July 13 - The Cincinnati Bengals have announced a partnership with Betfred Sportsbook. If Betfred are successfully approved for a mobile sports betting license, this will lead to fan activation, unique promotions and free-to-play games.

July 27 - BetRivers, who intend to partner with Hollywood Casino, missed the July 15 deadline, submitting their application to the OCCC 4 days later, on July 19. This does not mean they will not be approved, but it could mean they miss out on the January 1 launch date, which could miss a significant revenue hit.

August 2022 Ohio Sports Betting Updates

August 15 - Last week, it is reported that Acme Fresh Market and Kroger applied for C licenses, in the Ohio sports betting market. Acme Fresh Market were pre-approved for licenses in 9 stores, while Kroger got the same treatment in 42 locations.

What Sportsbooks Will We See First in Ohio?

At this stage, information of who will be around on the Jan 1, 2023 launch date is still pretty sparse. Our best guesses are based on recent sports betting launches, and how much of a share an operator has in existing markets.

Here are our best predictions of who will operate from day one in the Ohio Sports Betting Market.

DraftKings

Daily Fantasy Sports users can already play in the state of Ohio, so the natural progression from Daily Fantasy, to sports betting makes DraftKings a clear candidate for day one operations in Ohio.

DraftKings has history of launching first in newly legalised states, and they will look to continue that trend here.

FanDuel

Like DraftKings Sportsbook, their existing Daily Fantasy Sports operations makes FanDuel an ideal candidate for a launch date opening. We fully expect both DraftKings and FanDuel to be operable in Ohio from January 1, 2023.

BetMGM

Another that is not a surprise inclusion on this list is BetMGM Sportsbook, with DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM often cited as the "Big Three" when it comes to sports betting in the United States. MGM already operate business in Ohio, with their MGM Northfield Park property, giving them a head start on proceedings.

Caesars

Caesars Sportsbook is well established in AZ, IL, IN, IA, LA, MI, MD, CO, VA, NJ, NC, NY, TN, WV, Washington, DC and NV and also has a license pending in Louisiana.

Clearly then, Caesars has managed to pass legislation, abide by regulations and establish themselves as one of the biggest sportsbooks in the United States. With almost 6 months still to go before launch, it is likely Caesars Sportsbook will be ready to go on day one of operations in Ohio.

Hard Rock

Hard Rock, which is famous for its Hotel, Restaurants and Casino, has the means to be involved in the Ohio Sports Betting Market from the off.

There is already a Hard Rock Casino location in Cincinnati, and this gives the Hard Rock Sportsbook arm a head start when it comes to getting their sports betting license and therefore operating on the first day of the Ohio Sports Betting Market looks a distinct possibility.

JACK Entertainment

JACK Entertainment is a Cleveland-based gaming company, who's focal point of their business so far has been urban casinos. They are yet to break into the sports betting market, and that may be a stumbling block in the outset.

They do however have a partnership with Kambi, who are a huge B2B provider for sports betting services. Until recently Kambi were partnered with DraftKings, and there may have been a mutual benefit for DraftKings and JACK's here, but that will not the case now.

Barstool Sportsbook

Barstool are the face of Penn National Gaming, in terms of the sports betting department. They continue to boost their profile around the United States in terms of being a respected sports betting provider, and this will only continue the more states they enter. With Penn behind them, Barstool are primed to enter this new market in January 2023.

Additional Ohio Sports Betting Entrants

These are just seven possibilities drawn up based on the background information we have on Ohio so far, as well as predictions based on recent launches. With 25 licences up for grabs, there are many more names to get involved, starting with but not limited to, Bet365, BetRivers, FoxBet, PointsBet, Twinspires and WynnBet.

Potential Ohio Sportsbook Locations Already in Place

Here are some Casino locations in Ohio that will be looking to license Sports Betting in their properties, as of Jan 1, 2023.

• JACK CLEVELAND CASINO, 100 Public Square, Cleveland, OH 44113
• JACK THISTLEDOWN RACINO, 21501 Emery Rd., Cleveland, Ohio 44128
• HOLLYWOOD CASINO COLUMBUS, Georgesville Road and W. Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43228
• SCIOTO DOWNS RACINO, 6000 South High Street, Columbus, OH 43207
• HOLLYWOOD CASINO TOLEDO, 1968 Miami Street, Toledo, Ohio
• HOLLYWOOD GAMING AT MAHONING VALLEY RACE COURSE, 777 Hollywood Avenue, Youngstown, OH 44515
• HOLLYWOOD GAMING AT DAYTON RACEWAY, 777 Hollywood Blvd. Dayton, Ohio 45414
• MGM NORTHFIELD PARK, 10777 Northfield Road, Northfield, OH 44067
• MIAMI VALLEY GAMING, 6000 SR 63, Lebanon, OH 45036