The Midwest portion of the United States has become a leader in the legal sports betting industry, and another state will soon join the market. Online sports betting is not legal in Ohio in 2022, but that is going to be changing on January 1, 2023.
It was not an easy path to legalizing sports betting in the state of Ohio, and at times it looked as if the industry would never become legal. Ultimately lawmakers were able to come to an agreement, and it could set up a big market.
When the state officially legalized sports betting, the launch date of January 1 was a requirement that was listed. There was some hope that things could launch much earlier than that, but sportsbooks will be live for the first time at 12:01 AM ET on January 1.
Retail sports betting will also become available at the same time, but that is going to require some traveling to get to the sportsbooks. The Ohio Casino Control Commission has been put in charge of the new industry, and it has been busy approving license applications and handing out those licenses.
As soon as online sports betting is legal, there are going to be plenty of sportsbooks that begin accepting bets on that first day. Some of the biggest names in sports betting have been offering pre-registration bonuses to customers to get them signed up before the big day.
Different Licenses Available
The sports betting law in the state of Ohio outlined three different sports betting licenses that were available to apply for. Every license is much different in terms of who can apply for them and what type of betting can be offered.
There are 25 Type A sports betting licenses available in the state, and this is where you will find the top online sportsbooks that are looking to apply. It’s not explicitly stated in the law who can apply for this type of license, but they are reserved for commercial casinos and the professional sports teams.
A Type B license in Ohio is very different from a Type A, and this only pertains to retail sports betting. Those that receive a Type B license will have the ability to accept in-person wagers at a location that has already been established.
Things start to get a bit more wide open when looking at the Type C licenses that are going to be available in the state. Anyone that has a liquor license in Ohio can apply for a Type C license, and sports betting can then be offered in person.
Teams Will Drive the Industry
One nice thing that the state of Ohio has going for it is the fact that there are some very popular professional teams. Football is king when it comes to online sports betting, and there are actually two NFL teams in the state: the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals. Whether fans are members of the “Dawg Pound” or are shouting “Who Dey” on game day, being able to bet on the local club is always a good thing for betting markets.
The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Cleveland Guardians are also popular teams in the state, and basketball and hockey do attract wagers. Ohio also has an NHL team, as the Columbus Blue Jackets have a nice following throughout the state.
One nice thing about the sports betting laws in Ohio is the fact that college betting is available as well. When it comes to college sports, the Buckeyes of Ohio State University are easily the most popular team to root for. However, several other schools throughout the state can make a splash. Keep an eye out for Xavier Musketeers and Dayton Flyers for the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, and on the gridiron, the Cincinnati Bearcats, Akron Zips, and Toledo Rockets are always a threat to make a bowl game.
The fact that teams in the state of Ohio can also partner with sportsbook operators should lead to even bigger numbers for the state. There’s also a strong possibility that stadiums retrofit their facilities to allow for sports betting kiosks within the stadiums on game day. Stadiums may also open up and expand public wifi access so fans can bet directly from their seats. For online betting, in particular, this could drive betting revenue, especially in live-betting markets.
Best Sportsbooks and Offers for Betting Online in Ohio
Top 5 sportsbooks to get special promotions and bonuses to bet on sports online in Ohio:
- BetFred – starting Jan 1st, place a $50 wager to get up to $1,111 in Bonus Bets
- FanDuel – deposit $10, bet $5 and get guaranteed $200 in Bonus Bets
- Caesars – place your first bet and receive a Bet Credit of up to $1,500 if it doesn’t win
- DraftKings – first deposit of $5 or more qualifies for up to $1000 in Bonus Funds
- BetRivers – deposit $10 using code SPORTS, wager, and get 2nd chance bet up to $500
Should Be a Massive Market
There are some states in the Midwest that have become massive sports betting markets, and online sports betting in Ohio should put this state down the same path. It is going to take the state some time to get going as not all of the licensed sportsbooks are going to launch right away.
Illinois is the clear leader in the Midwest, and it is one of the biggest markets in the entire country. The goal for Ohio is to find a way to compete with the Land of Lincoln, but that state is nearing a monthly sports betting handle of close $1 billion.
Four of the five states bordering Ohio have already legalized and launched sports betting. Ohio bettors have needed to travel to Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, or West Virginia to place a wager. Though those states may see a small dip in numbers following the launch in the Buckeye State, it shouldn’t be enough to impact the national rankings in any of those states.
While retail sports betting can be found at many places throughout the state of Ohio, it will be mobile betting that gets things done. With up to 25 online sportsbook licenses available at least, you will see all of the big-name operators applying for a license.
Sportsbooks such as BetMGM, DraftKings, and FanDuel are the online leaders in the U.S., and all three will be ready to go in Ohio as well.
Want to learn more?
How To Bet On The Super Bowl In Ohio (2023)
7 Pro Sports Teams In Ohio With The Biggest Legacies
8 Best Athletes Born In Ohio
Best Massachusetts Sports Betting Sites (2023)
Is Sports Betting Legal in Massachusetts? (2023)