The NFL preseason was good for the state of Ohio with 52 percent of all sports betting revenue in the state for 2023 Q3 to date received during the month of August.
That’s according to the most recent sports betting revenue data reported by the Ohio Casino Control Commission. The OCCC data shows $40.7 million in total sports gaming taxable revenue in Ohio for August — an 8.8 percent increase over July receipts. Ohio taxes sports betting GGR (gross gaming revenue) at a rate of 20 percent.
Most sports betting in Ohio takes place online or via mobile apps, and August was no exception: Of $378.7 million in total handle for August, $364.3 million was wagered online. A significantly more modest $14.4 million was wagered at retail locations for the month.
Ohio sportsbooks and state regulators are expected to see an even bigger payday in September as bettors step up wagering with the start of the NFL regular season.
Revenue data for September isn’t scheduled to be released by Ohio regulators until Nov. 1. But survey results released Sept. 6 by the American Gaming Association indicate that states will see a steep increase in betting on pro football this season.
As many as 73.5 million Americans – or 57.7 percent more than those surveyed by the AGA in 2022 – are likely to wager on the NFL this season, according to ESPN coverage of the results.
DraftKings Takes the Crown for August in Ohio
DraftKings was the top-grossing online sportsbook in Ohio for August and July after taking the backseat to FanDuel in June, according to the OCCC.
The Crown hauled in $133.8 million in Ohio online sports betting handle in August in partnership with Hollywood Casino Toledo, per the OCCC. That allowed DraftKings to pull ahead of FanDuel/Belterra Park, which had the state’s second-highest online handle of $115.8 million for the month.
DraftKings also ranked first in online sports betting handle in Ohio for July at $116.1 million, with FanDuel in second place for online handle at $106.6 million. It was a turnaround from June, when FanDuel’s Ohio sports betting handle online totaled $120.3 million to DraftKings’ $177.4 million.
FanDuel is also partnered with Belterra Park for retail sports betting. Sportsbook handle at Belterra Park in August totaled $393,150 for the month, per the OCCC. DraftKings does not have a retail sportsbook in Ohio.
Rounding out the top six online Ohio sportsbooks in August in terms of handle are: Bet365/Cleveland Guardians ($27.5 million), BetMGM/MGM Northfield Park ($26.4 million), Caesars Sportsbook/Scioto Downs ($17.9 million), and Barstool/Hollywood Columbus ($12.4 million).
August Best Month for Ohio Handle Since May
August was the eighth month for legal online and retail sports betting in Ohio and the state’s top month for sports gaming taxable revenue since May 2023.
Total sports betting revenue was $57.8 million statewide for the month of May, according to the Ohio Casino Control Commission. Total revenue then slumped for June ($32.7 million) and July ($37.1 million), rallying slightly in August ahead of the Sept. 7 NFL kickoff game.
Since its launch on Jan. 1, the state has reported $617.4 million in taxable sports betting revenue. Over half of that amount, or $385.4 million, was received in the first three months of legal sports betting statewide.
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