Two more mobile sports betting operators have been approved ahead of the Buckeye State’s universal launch on Jan. 1. That brings the total number of Ohio-approved mobile operators to seven so far.
FanDuel and Barstool Sportsbook were approved as Ohio sports betting mobile operators by the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) at a meeting today. FanDuel is partnered with Belterra Park racino in Cincinnati. Barstool is partnered with Hollywood Casino in Columbus.
Both operators have also been approved as retail operators for their mobile partners. Additionally, Barstool has been approved to operate retail sportsbooks at Dayton Raceway and Hollywood casinos in Toledo and Youngstown, bringing the total number of approved Ohio retail sportsbook operators to nine.
Ohio approved its first five mobile sportsbook operators on Oct. 5. Those five operators were PointsBet, Caesars, Betfred, bet365, and SuperBook. It is uncertain how many more operators, or service providers, will be approved before launch.
Sportsbook Approval Conditional On Meeting Upcoming Deadlines
Approval of all sportsbooks and their facility partners is conditional. Potential licensees must submit their sports gaming employee applications, responsible gaming plans, facility plans, geolocation procedures, and house rules to the OCCC by Nov. 2 in order to launch on Jan. 1.
Missing the Nov. 2 deadline will push their launch date to later next year.
Additionally, all sports gaming facilities and sportsbooks must have their gaming equipment ready for verification no later than Dec. 2 if they hope to launch on New Year’s Day.
OCCC staff were among hundreds of participants at the G2E Conference last week in Las Vegas, where companies that will drive the Ohio sports betting market shared their latest ideas.
Staying on track to meet the universal launch date was emphasized at today’s meeting by OCCC Chair June Taylor.
“We are essentially seven and a half weeks away from what we are calling ‘the launch,’” Taylor said to operators. “So we ask that you continue to work with our team and ask questions, and just be authentic in your quest to get your paperwork and everything complete. Because we are genuine in what we’re doing in responding to you morning, night, weekends, and working as best as we can.”
“The date is the date, the deadlines are the deadlines, and let’s continue to work hard to meet them and we’ll hope this operation is successful.”
Sports Betting Kiosks and Suppliers Also Approved Ahead of Jan. 1 Launch
Sports betting kiosks will also go live in Ohio at the first of the year at hundreds of locations statewide, including supermarkets, restaurants, bars, and gas stations. The OCCC approved another 29 locations today.
That brings the total number of approved kiosk hosts, so far, to 877.
Before today, the OCCC had not approved any of the seven companies that will service the hundreds of sports betting kiosks around the state. Four of those companies – Green Bear Gaming (UBet Ohio), Intralot, betIGG, and Skybox Sports Network – were finally granted approval this morning.
Several new sports gaming suppliers were also approved today by the OCCC, bringing the total number of approved suppliers to 15. The suppliers provide software and other equipment for wagering from start to finish. Suppliers approved today include IGT, SimpleBet, IMG Arena, Skybox Sports, and Aristotle.
Image by: viewimage
About the Author
