The countdown is nearly over, Ohio! At midnight on January 1, 2023, Ohioans will ring in the New Year and the dawn of legal sports betting for the great Buckeye State. It’s time to get ready for the best Ohio sports betting launch parties.
This year, New Year’s Eve parties across the state will herald the launch of legal wagers, and Day 1 of Ohio sports betting will offer all kinds of bets and bonuses from the NFL to the NBA, college sports, and more.
For many of the newly launched sportsbooks, New Year’s Eve is a chance to celebrate placing your first bets. So we’ve rounded up the best sports betting launch parties, on NYE or around it, throughout Ohio. We’ve got the details you need to know for where to celebrate the big event this New Year.
Best New Year’s Eve Sports Betting Parties in Ohio
Here are the top five New Year’s Eve parties set to be thrown by Ohio sportsbooks. Celebrate with Ohio sports legends, celebrities, and fellow sports fans at the top casinos and sportsbooks.
New Year’s Eve at Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati with Pete Rose
The Hard Rock Sportsbook is celebrating Ohio’s sports betting launch with perhaps the most talked-about party of the year. The event at the Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati will host Ohio sports legends and celebrities as we ring in the New Year and Ohio sports bettors get ready to make their first bets.
The first legal bet at Hard Rock Cincinnati will be placed by Reds legend Pete Rose at 12:01 a.m. on January 1, 2023. Then the book will open, and the wagers – and champagne – will flow.
Cincinnati Bengals star running back Joe Mixon will host for the Hard Rock Casino New Year’s Eve Party, with entertainment from DJ Zayn and DJ Eddie Traynor (DJ Etrayn).
Other Ohio-grown celebrities include:
- Marty Brennaman, Hall of Fame broadcaster
- Bronson Arroyo, Cincinnati Reds legend
- Mary Wineberg, Olympic Gold Medalist and track & field star
- Anthony Muñoz, Cincinnati Bengals Hall of Famer
- Ickey Woods, Cincinnati Bengals legend
- Jim Breech, Cincinnati Bengals legend
- David Fulcher, Cincinnati Bengals legend
Attendees can find the Hard Rock Sportsbook inside the casino next to the Hard Rock Cafe. The sportsbook features a lounge, 33 betting kiosks, and several betting windows. You can sign up ahead of time with the Hard Rock Sportsbook app for iOS and Android.
Cincinnati Reds and BetMGM Ohio Sportsbook Debut at Great American Ball Park
The Cincinnati Reds and BetMGM Ohio are ringing in the new year of sports betting at the Great American Ball Park. A longtime season ticket holder will place the history-making first bet at 11 a.m. on January 1. Fans can also meet Cincinnati sports heroes and see the unveiling of a brand-new NASCAR BetMGM car.
“The BetMGM Sportsbook at the Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati is going to ring in sports betting in grand fashion,” said a BetMGM spokesperson. “As an added thank you for welcoming us into Cincinnati and Ohio, guests who place a sports wager in person at the Great American Ball Park anytime between January 1 through February 8 will be entered into sweepstakes to win a variety of prizes, including a VIP trip for two to Spring Training hosted by the Cincinnati Reds.”
Cincinnati sports legends in attendance include Cincinnati Reds two-time World Series Champion George Foster and Bengals legend Tim Krumrie. The party will be emceed by DJ Etrayn. As a grand finale, BetMGM will unveil its new No. 8 car for NASCAR driver Kyle Busch, the newest member of the Richard Childress Racing team.
Another bonus? Fans can get free wings and join an NFL watch party on-site. Now that’s what I call a New Year’s celebration.
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Peach Bowl & New Year’s Eve at MGM Northfield Park
Celebrations will also roll out at MGM Northfield Park starting at 12:01 a.m. on January 1. The casino will host a Peach Bowl watch party for Ohio State fans. Then, stick around for a New Year’s Eve countdown to the launch of sports betting and the New Year. Download the BetMGM app ahead of time to get started.
“We are excited at MGM Northfield Park that guests will be able to place the first sports wagers in Ohio at the BetMGM Sportsbook right after midnight on January 1,” said Matt Buckley, President of MGM Resorts Midwest Group. “The first 250 guests to wager at our sportsbook will be gifted a free winter hat. Prior to midnight, Ohio State fans can come to the book early to catch the bowl games within our unique entertainment destination as we count down to 2023.”
FanDuel Ohio Sportsbook Ribbon Cutting on January 5
On Thursday, January 5, FanDuel Ohio and Boyd Gaming will host a historic ribbon-cutting event at the FanDuel Sportsbook at Belterra Park Cincinnati.
Not to worry – FanDuel’s online and retail sportsbook will officially go live on January 1, right after midnight. But if you want to extend your excitement a few days, the January 5 event will be a fun time to celebrate with other Ohio sports fans and bettors.
Fans will be joined by one of Cincinnati’s sports celebrities, former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh. “Hoosh” will place the ceremonial first wager at Belterra Park during the official ribbon cutting.
The popular racino, operated by Boyd Gaming, is the official retail home for FanDuel Sportsbook in Ohio. FanDuel is one of the country’s largest mobile sports betting operators and offers Ohio sports bettors a great way to get started in the state.
The event is open to the public and is free to attend.
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New Year’s Eve at JACK Casinos with betJACK Sportsbook
JACK Cleveland Casino and JACK Thistledown are both hosting New Year’s Eve watch parties and sports betting countdowns.
The two casinos, some of Ohio’s most popular, will be open for Peach Bowl watch parties, so fans can cheer on Ohio State before placing their first bets after midnight. Expect a special countdown to the launch of sports betting at 12:01 a.m. on January 1, 2023.
JACK Cleveland Casino will also host a drawing for their betJACK app during the evening’s celebrations. Guests who stop by the sportsbook starting at 7 p.m. can show they have downloaded the app and enter the drawing.
The host will draw two names at the end of the first quarter of the Ohio State game and then another two at the end of the third quarter. All four winners will receive $1,000 in free bets on the betJACK app.
Hollywood Casinos and Barstool Sportsbook Celebrate New Year’s Eve
In partnership with Barstool Sportsbook, Ohio’s four Hollywood Casino locations are rolling out the red carpet for the new year and the launch of sports betting. At 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 1, each site will launch its first sports wagers as the Ohio market goes live.
In addition to the New Year’s Eve bash at all four retail sites, the online Barstool Sportsbook plans to go live in Ohio just after midnight on Jan. 1 as well.
“Ohio is definitely a state we’re excited about, with a strong retail presence and so many sites launching in the new year,” said a PENN Entertainment spokesperson. PENN Entertainment owns gaming brands Barstool Sportsbook, theScore, and Hollywood Casinos.
PENN Entertainment’s four Ohio properties include Hollywood Casino Columbus, Hollywood Casino Toledo, Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway, and Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course.
Whichever Hollywood party you live closest to, you can join the festivities and place wagers right after midnight. All four sites will offer sports betting via a branded Barstool Sportsbook.
If NYE parties aren’t your thing, you can plan a visit later in the year – all four casinos have renovations underway to build premium sportsbook spaces, complete with lounge areas, TV walls, and dining options for sports fans to get the max entertainment value every time they visit.
But here’s what to expect at each Barstool + Hollywood Casinos party on New Year’s Eve.
Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway
In Dayton, Hollywood Gaming will hold a ribbon cutting for its retail sports betting teller space at 12:01 a.m. Be there to place some of the first sports wagers in the state. A ceremonial ribbon cutting with local officials is scheduled for January 2.
Hollywood Casino Toledo
Hollywood Casino will host the Mayors of Toledo and Rossford on-site for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and first wagers just after midnight. Sports fans can join the countdown and place their wagers together.
Hollywood Casino Columbus
For sports fans and bettors alike, HC Columbus will run food and beverage specials throughout the evening. The highlight of the night – in addition to placing your first sports bet – is a Camaro giveaway on the casino floor, plus a 50/50 bonus via the Hollywood Casino app.
Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course
Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course will celebrate the launch of sports betting with a free concert featuring the cover band Light Up the Moon from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Join the party and place your first bets with the Barstool Sportsbook app.
Also read: Peach Bowl Betting a Longshot in Ohio | How to Start Sports Betting in Ohio
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