Legalized online Sports Betting expected to launch on January 1st, 2023 in Ohio. Last updated July 19th, 2022.
Check back for updates leading up to launch day. Ohio Sports Betting Pre-Registration Launching Soon!
Sports Betting is coming to Ohio, and it will be here before you know it!
Since PASPA was overturned in 2018, and the official regulation of Sports Betting and Online Casino in New Jersey, there is a mad dash to be next. Ohio has been on the road towards legalized online sports betting for quite some time, having passed their bill in late 2021. On December 6th 2021, Governor Mike DeWine officially signed the bills into law. This bill got the ball rolling on creating a regulatory body.
The Buckeye state is no stranger to gambling, as they have had land based (“brick-and-mortar”) casinos in all major cities since 2009. However, Starting January 1st, 2023 every resident of Ohio will be able to sports bet from the comfort of their home via computer or smart phone.
About the Ohio Sports Betting Bill
The bill that finally legalized Ohio sports betting was HB29 but it was originally drafted to issue Veteran ID cards in the state. A separate piece of legislation, SB 176, was designed to legalize sports betting specifically. When it became clear that SB 176 would not receive a House hearing, Sen. Schuring moved the infrastructure of SB 176 onto the framework of HB 29. Once HB 29 passed through the legislative process, Ohio sports betting was officially legalized.
Highlights of the Ohio sports betting bill:
- All sports betting revenue taxed at 10%, with 2% of taxes going towards problem gambling assistance.
- 25 Type A mobile sports betting licenses that could ultimately allow for up to 50 sportsbook skins in Ohio. Professional sports teams and casinos can apply for a second sportsbook skin. However, they must demonstrate an economic benefit to the state in order to partner with a second sports betting site.
- 40 Type B retail sports betting licenses with strict location requirements. Brick-and-mortar Ohio sportsbooks cannot be placed in a county with less than 50,000 residents, and preference is given to professional sports leagues and teams to receive a Type B license.
- Type C licenses that will allow Class D liquor-licensed businesses to establish sports betting kiosks.
As per law, Ohio sports betting must launch before January 1, 2023. Check back frequently for updates and Ohio Sports Betting pre-registration!
Ohio Sports Betting Tracker
- July 15, 2022: Application window closes for any sportsbook operator that wants to launch on January 1st, 2023.
- July 13, 2022: A slew of sportsbooks apply for licensure before window closes. Books include the likes of Bet365, Betfred Sportsbook, Ballys, and Fanduel.
- June 25, 2022: Powerhouse brand Draftkings, and Ohio local betJACK, are latest two operators to submit for an Ohio license.
- June 22, 2022: Draftkings becomes third operator to apply for Ohio Sports Betting license, applying under the name Crown Ohio Gaming.
- June 16, 2022: PointsBet and BetMGM among first sports betting operators to officially apply for licensing in Ohio.
- June 15, 2022: Initial application window opens for sports betting operators.
- June 1, 2022: Roadmap and timeline for Ohio sports betting legalization made available.
- April 26, 2022: Bally’s announces partnership with the Cleveland Browns for Ohio market access.
- February 24, 2022: Caesar’s Entertainment announces partnership with Cleveland Cavaliers for Ohio market access.
- December 6, 2021: Governor Mike DeWine signs sports betting bill into law, paving the way for establishing a regulator.
Ohio Sports Betting Apps:
Mobile sports betting is already legal and regulated in over a dozen states. With mobile sports betting applications, users can bet with ease from their couch or on the go. Based on the bill proposed by the Ohio Select Committee on Gaming in 2021, Ohio will soon allow mobile sports betting. The initial licensing application period will take place starting June 15th, with over a dozen sports betting operators vying for the first of what will eventually be around 40 operating licenses awarded.
With that in mind, here are some of the top sports betting apps we expect to see in Ohio’s starting lineup on launch day on January 1, 2023:
Caesars Sportsbook
WynnBET Sportsbook
BetRivers Sportsbook
Fanduel Sportsbook
Betfred Sportsbook
Draftkings Sportsbook
Projected Day One Sports Betting Apps
Caesars Sportsbook
At this point, Caesars is basically a household name, with famous locations in Atlantic City and the Las Vegas Strip (made famous by the 2009 comedic hit, The Hangover). Caesars has already cemented themselves across the US as one of the top apps and betting sites with strong welcome offers and competitive daily boosted odds.
Bonus Offer: We don’t know for sure what the Caesars welcome bonus will be on launch day in Ohio, but we do know their current offer is a whopping $1500 Risk-Free first bet – so something to look forward to on day one.
WynnBET Sportsbook
WynnBET is one of the hottest sportsbooks right now, and has the spokespeople to prove it. Both Shaquille O’Neal, and former New England Patriot Julian Edelman have been seen toting the well known name in betting.
Bonus Offer: Following Superbowl LVI, Wynn has slowly rolled back all their bonus offers, moving from a $1 to $50 bet to receive the $200 bonus. With Ohio being a new market, the bonus offer will likely be strong day one – so don’t miss out.
BetRivers Sportsbook
BetRivers is an online casino fan favorite where online casino is regulated (New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia). They may be known for Online Casino but don’t sleep on BetRivers Sportsbook as it is a favorite of The US Gambler expert staff for consistently better odds than the competition, and an extremely fair welcome offer.
Bonus Offer: BetRivers currently offers the same welcome offer across all their jurisdictions, a $250 deposit match with only a 1x playthrough requirement. BetRivers welcome bonus is excellent because it’s one of the few that offers a deposit match, and with a super easy rollover requirement.
Fanduel Sportsbook
Fanduel is one of the two OG sportsbooks that got their start as a Daily Fantasy provider. They began operating DFS long before PASPA (the bill that made online wagering legal federally) was repealed in 2018. Being an OG and a household name, it makes sense that Fanduel would enter the Ohio Sports Betting market.
Bonus Offer: Fanduel has a long time singular offer of a risk-free bet up to $1000 but recently they have broke that mold. Fanduel is testing offers in a few different states, including Colorado where they now offer a deposit bonus up to $250. Fanduel should roll out their usual offer on day one in Ohio.
