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Ohio approved its first sports betting licenses on Wednesday, as gaming regulators signed off on 200 lottery sports betting kiosks statewide.
The betting terminal licensees – including restaurants, bars, bowling alleys, and golf courses, among other establishments – are among 1,200 or so potential small retail locations that could launch in the state when Ohio sports betting goes live on Jan. 1, 2023. All licenses are awarded by the Ohio Casino Control Commission, or OCCC, by recommendation of the Ohio Lottery, which will oversee kiosk operations.
Lottery sports betting kiosks are also being sought by large retailers including Kroger, which has been recommended for 42 kiosk locations by the Ohio Lottery, and Giant Eagle grocery with a recommended 63 kiosk locations.
Fricker’s restaurant chain – popular for its sports-bar theme –is on tap for 22 kiosks per the lottery’s recommendation.
Here is a full list of retailers pre-approved for Type C Gaming licenses in Ohio:
Ohio sports betting, pre qualified host locations
Additional Steps Required For Kiosk Licensees, Other Retail and Mobile
Once licensed, lottery sports betting retailers still have work to do before they can go live.
Licensees must show state regulators they have met all sports betting compliance and responsible gaming standards before they are allowed to operate next year.
Still pending, too, is state approval of up to 20 “lottery sports gaming proprietors” who will provide sports betting operations at the kiosks. Those companies will be selected by the OCCC and contract with the Ohio Lottery to operate in the state.
Seven companies have filed an application with the OCCC for a proprietor license, with approval pending as of Aug. 17. Those seven companies include:
- Elys Gameboard Technologies, LLC
- Green Bear Gaming Development
- Intralot Inc.
- Skybox Sports Network Inc.
- Iron Gate Gaming, LLC
- J&J Ventures Gaming of Ohio
- Gold Rush Amusements, LLC
Still waiting for regulatory approval are up to 40 retail sports betting licenses for Ohio professional sports stadiums and casinos.
Online sports betting tied to the stadiums and casinos is also pending approval, with up to 25 mobile licenses available.
Ohio sports betting was legalized in Dec. 2021 with the passage and signing of 2022 House Bill 29.
