Legal sports betting in Ohio launched on Jan. 1, 2023, after Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 29 into law.
There are currently 20 Ohio sportsbooks available to bettors in the Buckeye State and $3,745 in welcome bonuses to claim.
Here, we review the latest Ohio sports betting news, the best Ohio sports betting apps, and top OH sportsbook promotions. This Ohio sports betting guide also covers how to bet, available wagering options, and more.
With several great Ohio sports betting sites to choose from, there are terrific options available to every type of bettor.
Get $40
21+ and present in OH. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Ohio Sports Betting: At a Glance
Nearing the first anniversary of its launch, Ohio sports betting has been one of the most successful markets in the country. Read below for everything you need to know about OH sports gambling.
| Ohio Sports Betting: Key Facts | |
|---|---|
| Ohio Population | 11.78 million |
| Legal Betting Age | 21+ |
| Sports Betting Regulator | Ohio Casino Control Commission |
| Online Sportsbooks | ✔ Available |
| Retail Sportsbooks | ✔ Available |
| College Sports Betting | ✔ Available |
| Esports Betting | ⚠ Limited availability |
| Tax Rate | 20% |
Is Sports Betting Legal in Ohio?
Ohio sports betting is legal and available as of Jan. 1, 2023. State residents 21 and over can visit retail sportsbooks and participate in mobile sports betting.
Governor Mike DeWine signed HB 29 into law on Dec. 22, 2021, giving the state a year to prepare for sports betting before launching on New Year’s Day 2023. Unlike other markets, Ohio sports betting legislation allows gambling on professional and collegiate games in addition to the Olympics, horse racing, motorsports, and esports.
Through the legalization process, Ohio allocated 25 Type A licenses for mobile sportsbooks, 40 Type B licenses for retail sportsbooks, and 20 Type C licenses for Ohio sports betting kiosks. Businesses and Ohio sportsbooks apply for and get approved for licenses through the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC).
- For Type A licenses, initial license fees range from $500,000 to $2,500,000, and renewal fees range from $125,000 to $625,000.
- The initial fee for a Type B licensee, which also includes a Type A licensee, is $100,000 with a $10,000 renewal fee. For a Type B licensee that is not also a Type A licensee, the initial license fee is $50,000 with a $10,000 renewal fee.
- The initial fee is $100,000 for a Type C license with a $25,000 renewal fee.
By state law, retail and mobile sportsbooks in Ohio must pay taxes on winnings. The operator tax rate was initially 10% of gaming receipts. However, the rate changed to 20% when the state budget was approved during the summer of 2023. For individual sports bettors, mobile Ohio sports betting apps are supposed to withhold 24% of winnings for federal tax purposes when a bettor wins $5,000 or more.
Best Ohio Sports Betting Apps
Ohio residents have many legal sportsbooks to choose from. Since legal Ohio sports betting launched, 20 mobile sportsbooks have come online. To help users select a sportsbook, we have reviewed the best Ohio sports betting apps available to bettors in the Buckeye State.
bet365 Ohio
Best for New Bettors
- Welcome Offer: Get a First Bet Safety Net up to $1,000 OR you can Bet $5, and Get $150 in Bonus Bets with promo code GTODAYOH. *Deposit required. T&Cs, time limits, and exclusions apply. OH: Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
- bet365 Is Best For: New bettors who want to earn a great welcome offer that allows you to build a bankroll without making a large deposit.
Caesars Ohio
Best Loyalty Program
- Welcome Offer: New Caesars Ohio customers get up to a $1,000 First Bet on Caesars with promo code TODAY1000. OH only. 21+. New users and first wager only. Must register with eligible promo code. Bet amount of qualifying wager returned only if wager is settled as a loss. Maximum bet credit $1,000; must be used within 14 days of receipt. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Void where prohibited. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
- Caesars Is Best For: Active bettors who enjoy loyalty programs. Caesars Sportsbook offers one of the top rewards programs in the industry. It’s the first sportsbook to open a physical retail location in a sports venue. Caesars offers one of the most widely available mobile betting apps in the US market and is a popular choice across the country.
BetMGM Ohio
Best for Mobile Users
- Welcome Offer: New users in Ohio will receive up to $1,500 paid back in Bonus Bets with promo code TODAY. *Additional terms and conditions apply. 21+ and present in OH. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
- BetMGM Is Best For: Bettors seeking a terrific mobile experience. The BetMGM Ohio Sportsbook app is user-friendly and easy to navigate. BetMGM customers also earn MGM Rewards, which is among the best loyalty programs available to bettors today. There are also several regular promotions available to existing customers, so we recommend this sportsbook app to bettors looking for a long-term option.
Betfred Ohio
Best for Variety of Betting Markets
- Welcome Offer: Get up to $105 on Fred, if your first wager loses (No Sweat Bet). Use promo code GTODAY at sign-up to claim. OH only. 21+.Gambling Problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER
- Betfred Is Best For: Its wide variety of betting markets and promotions for existing customers. Betfred offers several promotions to its players, including Parlay Insurance and Odds Boosts.
Betway Ohio
Best For International Events
- Welcome Offer: New Betway Ohio customers will get a straightforward welcome bonus: Bet $20, Get a $40 Bonus Bet on your first wager. 21+ and present in OH. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
- Betway Is Best For: This sportsbook offers a very diverse set of sports betting options, including a wide variety of international leagues and types of wagers.
BetRivers Ohio Sportsbook
Best for Profit Boosts
- Welcome Offer: Receive a Second Chance Bet up to $100 with BetRivers promo code TODAYRIV. Must be 21+. Available in OH only. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER. Sports gaming is provided in partnership with Dayton Real Estate Ventures, LLC d/b/a Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway.
- BetRivers Is Best For: Newer bettors who want a simplified sports betting format with consistent parlay boosts and approachable bonuses. It’s simple to place wagers on the BetRivers desktop website and livestream sports, including the NHL.
Ohio Sports Betting Updates and Legalization Timeline
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July 10, 2023:
After Gov. Mike DeWine raised the Ohio sports betting tax rate to 20%, Ohio House Majority Floor Leader Bill Seitz criticized the move as “shortsighted”, Cleveland.com reports. “I didn’t think we liked to raise taxes as Republicans in Ohio,” Bill Seitz, a Cincinnati Republican, said. “I don’t agree with it. I think its shortsighted.” DeWine spokesman Dan Tierney said the governor proposed the change in February in response to aggressive ad campaigns from sports betting companies pushing boundaries.
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July 1, 2023:
The tax rate on sports betting operators in Ohio will double after state lawmakers passed a $86.1 billion state budget that would raise the tax rate from 10% to 20% starting in July. The change in the sports gaming tax rate is expected to boost Ohio’s sports betting tax revenue by $100 million to $135 million annually.
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June 30, 2023:
The Ohio Gaming Control Commission reported that Ohio sportsbooks handled $446.2 million in combined handle for May 2023. Of the total, $430.7 million in handle came from online sports betting in Ohio.
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June 27, 2023:
Betr, which counts Ohio native Jake Paul among its co-founders, announces it has secured $35 million in new funding at a $300 million pre-money valuation.
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June 21, 2023:
BetMGM, in partnership with the Cincinnati Reds, officially announces the relocation of the BetMGM Sportsbook at Great American Ball Park to The Banks in downtown Cincinnati. The sportsbook will feature the city’s fourth Nation Kitchen & Bar, a full-service restaurant. The BetMGM Sportsbook will be located at the corner of Second Street and Joe Nuxhall Way, formerly occupied by Galla Park.
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June 7, 2023:
Matt Schuler, executive director of the Ohio Casino Control Commission, blasts the decision by Kentucky regulators to legalize sports betting in the Bluegrass State for those 18 and older, ABC 9 WCPO reports. Ohio casinos and sportsbooks are prohibited from taking bets from anyone under the age of 21. “The age group that is most at risk of developing a gambling problem are males 18 to 35,” Schuler said.
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June 6, 2023:
The Ohio Gaming Control Commission reported that Ohio sportsbooks handled $520.6 million in combined handle for April 2023, down from $737.2 million in bets recorded for March 2023. Of the total, $505.6 million in handle came from online sports betting in Ohio.
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May 17, 2023:
The Ohio Casino Control Commission approved a permanent license for Phantom Fireworks to run a sports betting facility in downtown Youngstown, WKBN 27 reports. The plan is to run the sports book at the Covelli Centre where a section will be added on.
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May 1, 2023:
The Ohio Gaming Control Commission reported that Ohio sportsbooks handled $737.2 million in bets combined in March 2023, an increase over February’s tally of $638.8 million. Of the March handle, $715.3 million was bet online or via mobile devices.
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April 28, 2023:
Fanatics Sportsbook plans to launch its first two online sports betting apps in Tennessee and Ohio on May 1, a spokesperson confirmed to Gaming Today.
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March 31, 2023:
The Ohio Gaming Control Commission reports that Ohio sportsbooks handled $638.8 million in total bets in February 2023. Of the February handle, $621.1 million was wagered online or via mobile devices.
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February 14, 2023:
betPARX announces its launch of mobile sports betting in Ohio. betPARX, one of the nation’s leading mobile sportsbook operators, was named an official betting operator of the PGA TOUR and becomes the 18th online sporstbook to go live in Ohio.
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February 12, 2023:
Ohio enters GeoComply’s top five states, ranked by geolocation transactions over Super Bowl weekend. Ohio went live with sports betting on Jan. 1, 2023, and was second only to New York with 12.6 million GeoComply geolocation checks over Super Bowl 57 weekend. Ohio was also No. 1 for total unique accounts, with 1.1 million for the Super Bowl.
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January 11, 2023:
On the heels of its sports betting launch in Ohio, bet365 announced a multi-year partnership with the Cleveland Guardians to become the team’s exclusive mobile sports betting partner. bet365 launched in Ohio on Jan. 1, 2023. The Buckeye State became the third legal US market for bet365.
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January 3, 2023:
Ohio’s New Year’s Day sports betting launch pushed it straight to the top of the US market. GeoComply — a geolocation and anti-fraud solutions leader for the US iGaming industry — recorded 11.3 million geolocation transactions in Ohio throughout New Year’s weekend, surpassing New York.
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January 1, 2023:
Legal Ohio sports betting launches at 12:01 a.m. Mobile and retail OH sportsbooks begin accepting wagers.
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August 3, 2022:
The Ohio Casino Control Commission announces that mobile and retail sports betting will launch on Jan. 1, 2023. This decision came with pressure to launch before the Super Bowl after failing to be ready in time for kickoff of the NFL regular season.
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December 21, 2021:
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signs House Bill 29 into law. Legal sports betting in Ohio becomes a reality.
Best Ohio Sportsbook Promos: Welcome Offers
With legal sports betting available in the Buckeye State, Ohio sportsbooks offer lucrative welcome bonuses to new customers. Some of these sportsbook promotions require little to no financial commitment. New users can join multiple Ohio sports betting sites to line shop for the most competitive odds.
Use the promo codes and sign-up links to claim the best Ohio sports betting bonuses available in December 2023.
📱Ohio Sportsbook 💰Promotion 🎯Promo Code
bet365 Ohio First Bet Safety Net up to $1,000 OR Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets GTODAYOH
Caesars Ohio Get up to a $1,000 First Bet on Caesars TODAY1000
BetMGM Ohio Up to $1,500 paid back in Bonus Bets TODAY
Betfred Ohio Get $105 on Fred (No Sweat Bet, up to $105, if your first wager loses) Click to Claim
Betway Ohio Bet $20, Get a $40 Bonus Bet on your first wager Click to Claim
BetRivers Ohio Claim a 2nd Chance Bet up to $100 TODAYRIV
Other Types of Gambling in Ohio
Beyond the popular ways to bet on sports in Ohio — at sports betting apps and retail sportsbooks — other types of gambling are available. Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) and Racinos provide additional gambling options in the state.
Gambling Alternative Legal?
Social Sportsbooks ✅
Daily Fantasy Sports ✅
Horse Racing Betting ✅
Lottery ✅
Online Casinos ❌
Online Poker ❌
Social Sportsbooks in Ohio
Social sportsbooks, like Fliff, provide an alternative to gambling with real money. It’s the same concept where players are betting on sporting events. What makes them different is the use of social currency to place wagers. These forms of social money can be gold coins, sweep coins, or other items that are acquired through welcome bonuses or player rewards.
Ohio Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)
Daily Fantasy Sports has been legal in Ohio since 2017, when the OCCC established consumer protection regulations and responsible gaming requirements. Players must be 18 years or older to participate in DFS in Ohio.
Horse Racing Betting in Ohio
Horse racing betting has been legal in Ohio since 2000 when the Interstate Horse Racing Act of 1978 was amended to include mobile sports betting on races. Ohio has eight horse tracks, the largest being JACK Thistledown Racino. The others include:
- Mahoning Valley Race Course
- Miami Valley Gaming & Racing
- Belterra Park
- Northfield Park
- Dayton Raceway
- Cedar Downs
- Scioto Downs
How to Bet on Sports in Ohio
Ohio sports bettors are able to place real-money wagers in two ways: online or in person. Here, we break down how to bet at online Ohio sportsbooks.
Choose an Ohio Sportsbook App
BetMGM, Caesars, FanDuel, PointsBet, Betfred, and BetRivers are all great options that stand out among the best Ohio betting apps on the market. They’re all available to both iOS and Android users, too. Read our Ohio sportsbook reviews to find the app that suits your preferences.
Claim Welcome Offer
Use one of Gaming Today’s exclusive sign-up links and/or promo codes to claim the welcome offer(s) mentioned throughout this Ohio betting guide. The Ohio sports betting bonus will automatically be applied to your account when you use one of our links or codes during the registration process.
Create Account
Next, players must register for a sportsbook account. Complete the registration process by filling out the required identity-verifying information, including phone number, email address, and date of birth.
Download Sportsbook App
After claiming a welcome offer and signing up with an online OH sportsbook, you will likely receive a prompt to download the mobile app. You can also download mobile sportsbook apps from the Apple App Store (iOS users), the Google Play Store (Android users), or the desktop website. Some sportsbooks also require you to install geolocation software to ensure you are physically located within Ohio state borders.
Make a Deposit
Now, you can fund your new sports betting account using various payment methods. The best deposit methods to consider are PayPal and online bank transfers.
Open the mobile sportsbook app and log in with your email address (or username) and password. Visit the “Wallet” or “Cashier” section to get started.
Ensure your first deposit complies with any potential conditions of the welcome offer. Sometimes, your first deposit or initial wager must be of a certain value to receive the full bonus amount. Review the terms and conditions to ensure your first deposit unlocks the Ohio sports betting bonuses mentioned throughout this page.
Place Your First Bet
After funding your account, you can begin placing wagers on your favorite sports. Find the betting odds and markets that interest you.
Note: It’s important to consider the terms and conditions of the sportsbook bonus offer. Bet and Get offers, for example, usually include requirements for the initial wager, including the type of bet and wager amount. Ensure your first bet meets any potential requirements of the sign-up bonus.
Ohio Teams: Futures Betting
The launch of legal sports betting in Ohio taps into a massive market for the industry. Although other states have more professional sports franchises to boast about, Ohio has multiple professional sports teams with dedicated fans.
Lucky for football fanatics, Ohio sportsbooks can accept wagers on both NCAAF and NFL games. With Ohio’s professional and college teams, there is no shortage of fan favorites to bet on in the Buckeye State.
🏈 Ohio Sports Team League 🏆 Championship Futures
Cincinnati Bengals NFL
Cleveland Browns NFL
Cincinnati Reds MLB
Cleveland Guardians MLB
Cleveland Cavaliers NBA
Columbus Blue Jackets NHL
FC Cincinnati MLS
Columbus Crew MLS
Ohio State Football NCAAF
Ohio State Basketball NCAAB
Cincinnati Bengals
Betting on the Cincinnati Bengals is more popular than ever. The Bengals enjoyed another strong season in 2022-23. Cincinnati nearly earned a Super Bowl berth for a second consecutive year but fell 23-20 to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game.
The Bengals look poised for more success and are a popular NFL betting option with quarterback Joe Burrow, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 draft, at the helm of the offense. Burrow is a native of Athens, Ohio, in the southeast part of the state, roughly 2.5 hours from Cincinnati. However, Burrow had surgery on Nov. 27, 2023, to repair a torn ligament in his right wrist. The Bengals’ Super Bowl odds and playoff hopes have faded for the 2023-24 season.
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns, named after original coach and co-founder Paul Brown, compete in the NFL as an AFC North division member club. Since resuming operations in 1999, the Browns have struggled to find success, especially during the 2010s when they did not post one winning season throughout the decade. They are one of four teams to have never appeared in a Super Bowl, along with the Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Cincinnati Reds
The Ohio fanbase has two professional teams to wager on in MLB odds. The Cincinnati Reds have won five World Series championships, nine NL pennants, one AA pennant, and 10 division titles. The team’s last World Series title came in 1990 when the Reds swept the heavily favored Oakland Athletics in four straight games. The Cincinnati Reds finished the 2023 season 82-80, third place in the NL Central. It was a step up from 2022 when they suffered their first 100-loss season since 1982.
BetMGM, the Official Sports Betting Partner of the Cincinnati Reds, has a retail BetMGM Sportsbook at Great American Ball Park.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers have a solid fanbase and are popular with those who bet on the NBA. In 2016, with superstar and Ohio native LeBron James back on the roster, the Cavaliers won their first NBA Championship, marking Cleveland’s first major sports title since 1964. The 2016 NBA Finals victory over the Golden State Warriors marked the first time in Finals history a team had come back to win the series after trailing three games to one.
More: NBA Betting Promotions
The 2022-23 season saw the Cavs notch 51 wins, but they ran into a more physical, experienced team in the postseason. The New York Knicks defeated Cleveland in the first round of the NBA playoffs, cementing the series with a 106-95 win in Game 5 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Columbus Blue Jackets
For those in the Buckeye State who want to bet on the NHL, the Blue Jackets have been an exciting option since joining the league as an expansion team in 2000. Columbus advanced to the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in 2009 and won its first playoff series in the 2019 playoffs against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Blue Jackets finished an injury-ravaged 2022-23 season with a record of 25-48-9, 31st overall in the NHL. The Blue Jackets subsequently relieved Brad Larsen of his duties as head coach and also announced that the contract of goaltending coach Manny Legace would not be renewed.
Cleveland Guardians
On Dec. 18, 2020, the MLB club confirmed the Indians’ name would be dropped after the 2021 season and that their new name would be the Cleveland Guardians. Since becoming a Major League franchise in 1901, the Guardians have won 10 Central Division titles, six American League pennants, and two World Series championships in 1920 and 1948. The team’s World Series championship drought since 1948 is the longest active streak among all 30 MLB teams.
In 2023, the Cleveland Guardians finished third in the AL Central with 76 wins and 86 losses. A year prior, they won the American League Central title for the first time since 2018 and defeated the Tampa Bay Rays in the Wild Card Series. In five games, Cleveland ultimately fell to the New York Yankees in the Division Series.
The Guardians have partnered with bet365 Sportsbook. The Buckeye State was the third US state entered by the UK-based sportsbook.
Columbus Crew (MLS)
The Columbus Crew is one of Ohio’s Major League Soccer (MLS) teams. The Crew were part of the inaugural season of MLS in 1996. The Columbus-based team calls Lower.com Field home, as do the 20,000 fans who come to games.
The Crew finished the 2023 season in third place in the Eastern Conference, holding a 16-9-9 record. This was a big step forward for the club after finishing eighth in the conference a season prior.
FC Cincinnati (MLS)
FC Cincinnati are the second and newest MLS club in Ohio. The club started out in the United Soccer League Championship (USLC) in 2016 and left to join MLS in 2019. Cincinnati play at TQL Stadium and they have come a long way since making their MLS debut. After finishing in last place almost every season, FC Cincinnati jumped to the top of the Eastern Conference in 2023 with a 20-9-5 record.
Ohio State Football
Ohio’s loyalty to its professional teams spills over to its collegiate sports, most notably in betting on Ohio State football.
The Ohio State Buckeyes football team is recognized by the university and NCAA as having won eight national championships, with their last title coming in 2014. On the strength of an 11-1 season in 2022, Ohio State was seeded No. 4 but fell to top-seeded and defending national champion Georgia in the semifinals at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on Dec. 31.
The Complete List of Ohio Sportsbook Apps
📱Sportsbook 🤝 Local Partner ✅ Mobile and/or Retail?
📱Bet365 Ohio 🤝 Cleveland Guardians ✅ Mobile
📱Caesars Sportsbook Ohio 🤝 Cleveland Cavaliers and Scioto Downs ✅ Mobile and Retail
📱BetMGM Ohio 🤝 Cincinnati Reds and MGM Northfield Park ✅ Mobile and Retail
📱Betfred Ohio 🤝 Cincinnati Bengals ✅ Mobile
📱Betway 🤝 Belterra Park ✅ Mobile
📱BetRivers Ohio 🤝 Hollywood Gaming Dayton Raceway ✅ Mobile
📱Barstool Ohio 🤝 Hollywood Casino Columbus ✅ Mobile and Retail
📱PointsBet Ohio 🤝 Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley ✅ Mobile
📱betJACK Ohio 🤝JACK Cleveland Casino and JACK Thistledown Racino ✅ Mobile and Retail
📱FanDuel Ohio 🤝 Belterra Park ✅ Mobile and Retail
📱Betr 🤝 Pro Football Hall of Fame Village ✅ Mobile
📱Tipico Ohio 🤝 Columbus Crew ✅ Mobile
📱Gamewise/MVGBet 🤝 Miami Valley Gaming and Racing ✅ Mobile
📱Hard Rock Digital 🤝 Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati ✅ Mobile and Retail
📱SuperBook 🤝 FC Cincinnati ✅ Mobile and Retail
📱betParx 🤝 Muirfield Village Golf Course ✅ Mobile
📱Fanatics 🤝 Columbus Blue Jackets ✅ Mobile
📱DraftKings Ohio 🤝 Hollywood Casino Toledo ✅ Mobile
Latest Ohio Sports Betting News
PENN Set to Break Ground on Hollywood Casino Columbus Hotel Addition
Ohio Sports Betting Tops $5 Billion in First 9 Months
Ohio Gets Significant Sports Betting Revenue Bump in August
Best Ohio Sportsbooks & Football Betting Promo Codes: Over $2,000 for SNF Dolphins v. Patriots
BetRivers, Hall of Fame Village Apparently Punt Retail Sportsbook
Legal Ohio Betting Markets
The launch of sports betting in Ohio taps into a massive market for the industry. Looking across all the Ohio professional and collegiate teams, there will be no shortage of options to wager on. Below is a full list of the approved Ohio sports betting markets:
- Major Sports Leagues (NFL, MLS, NHL, NBA, MLB)
- College Football
- College Basketball
- Horse Racing
- Super Bowl
- Stanley Cup
Illegal Ohio Betting Markets
Some markets are off-limits for Ohio bettors. Luckily, Ohio has no restrictions on betting on college sports, but a few events are not accessible for residents of the Buckeye State:
- Political Events
- Grammy Awards
- Oscars
- High School Sports
- Pre-Recorded Events
- Coin Flips
Pros and Cons of Ohio Sports Betting
Legal Ohio sports betting has been available for almost a year. There have been some ups and downs with 20 mobile and 40 retail sportsbook licenses available. Read below to learn more.
✅ Pros ❌ Cons
Full mobile betting opportunities Residents went years without sports betting
Collegiate sports betting The universal launch date made it harder for residents to take advantage of all bonuses available
Many retail sportsbooks across the state State tax rate rose from 10% to 20%
How Ohio Sports Betting Compares to Nearby States
There are a few differences when comparing Ohio sports betting to neighboring states. Like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Indiana, all these states have mobile and retail sports betting and have had a similar timeline length when going through the legalization process.
However, where Ohio stands out is the state’s legalization of betting on college sports. This puts Ohio on a different playing field than other states currently legalizing sports betting. Another difference between some of these nearby states is the tax rate. Ohio started with a 10% tax rate on sports betting and pumped it up to 20% during the summer. This is still a lower tax rate than PA, which is 36%.
Overall, Ohio is a very appealing sports betting market with a wide range of sports to bet on, lower tax rates, and an emphasis on responsible gambling.
Ohio Sports Betting Revenue and Handle
Since legal sports betting in Ohio launched, the state has already established itself among the top markets in the country.
Ohio sportsbooks combined to handle $685 million in handle for September 2023, up from the $375 million between retail and online for the month of August 2023.
DraftKings was again the leading Ohio sportsbook, taking in $260 million in handle for September. FanDuel handled more than $207 million in wagers, followed by BetMGM with $47 million in handle.
In February 2023, sportsbooks reported $638.8 million in total handle. In January, more than $1 billion was wagered with Ohio sportsbooks — a figure few legal sports betting states have ever hit.
Since the beginning of legal sports betting in the state, Ohio has surpassed $5.1 billion in sports bets placed since January and recorded $700 million in taxable revenue at the 20% rate. The state’s Legislative Budget Office (LBO) estimates the sports gaming market to be approximately $3.35 billion, after several years of operation.
It’s clear that Ohio’s sports betting industry has the potential to provide the state government with a lot of funding power should it continue to grow.
Ohio Responsible Gaming
Four state agencies in Ohio have come together to form the Ohio for Responsible Gaming initiative. The four agencies include the Ohio Lottery Commission, the Ohio Casino Control Commission, the Ohio State Racing Commission, and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS).
OhioMHAS serves as the resource partner for the initiative and the lead agency responsible for the prevention and treatment of problem gambling.
The Ohio Casino Control and the Ohio Lottery Commissions have partnered to administer the Time Out Ohio program, which allows individuals to ban themselves from Ohio’s casinos, Ohio racinos, and Ohio sports gaming for one year, five years, or their lifetime. Once the request is validated, you are not permitted access to any Ohio casino or racino properties or to participate in Ohio sports gaming during the self-imposed ban. This ban may include affiliated properties outside of Ohio.
The OCCC also has a list of resources for problem gamblers.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Why Use a Legal Sportsbook in Ohio?
Using a legal sportsbook is important for any Ohio sports bettor. No governing body regulates offshore betting sites, and cannot protect the user or their money. Below are a few reasons why using a legal sportsbook in Ohio is the best option:
- Approval from a state governing body increases a user’s chance of a safe gambling experience.
- Offshore sites are not always responsible with the user’s money.
- Offshore sites don’t always use standard money depositing options.
- There is no way to take legal action against offshore sites in a dispute.
OH Sports Betting Successes and Failures
There have been many ups and downs since before sports betting launched in the Buckeye State. It was a long time coming and some say it didn’t come fast enough. Ohio sports betting legalization efforts took time and revenue away from the state with the lengthy timeline.
Failures
Ohio took its time with the legalization of sports betting. In the first year, Ohio has accumulated $699 million in revenue. This is both a success and a failure. Ohio has brought in the fourth most revenue of all legal sports betting states, but delaying the launch of legal gambling has allowed the state to miss out on millions of dollars in years past.
The state introduced HB 29 back in December 2021, and it took over a year of alterations. The bill was turned down before it was finally signed in 2022. Another year later, Ohio sports betting finally launched. The state moved slowly through the process of legalizing sports betting and it impacted the tax revenue.
Successes
Ohio professional sports teams have played a large role in the success of mobile and retail sports betting. Before the launch, sports teams like the Bengals and FC Cincinnati partnered with sportsbooks to show their support and commitment to the industry. The team’s stadiums worked hard and fast to get retail spaces up and running for launch. Because of their efforts, Ohio retail sportsbooks have brought in over $16 million in revenue.
Another item that Ohio did well is the legalization of betting on college sports. It is no secret that Ohio is a football state and this includes the sport at the college level. Allowing bettors to wager on college sports has been an important part of the $5.1 billion handle the state has seen.
Ohio Sports Betting FAQ
Yes, Ohio is a legal sports betting state after the passage of HB 29. Online and in-person sports betting is available for Ohio residents as of Jan. 1, 2023.
You need to be 21 years of age or older to bet on sports in Ohio. Ohio’s retail casinos are also 21+.
The best Ohio sportsbook apps include industry heavyweights like BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings, and FanDuel. Review the full list of Ohio sportsbooks.
With legal Ohio sports betting available to Buckeye State bettors, you can bet on all professional-level domestic and international team sports, individual sports, and college sports.
Yes, betting on horse races is a popular form of gambling in Ohio. Ohio is home to eight racinos that residents can visit or racing fans can use any of the legal horse racing betting apps available in the state.
Yes, it is legal to bet on the Ohio State Buckeyes and any other college sports. Unlike some other locations, there are no restrictions on betting on in-state teams.
Yes, it is illegal to use offshore sportsbooks in Ohio. There are many reasons why sports bettors should stay away from offshore sites, and Ohio residents should stick with legal sportsbooks for their wagers.
Yes, online gambling is legal in Ohio. Mobile and retail sports betting have been available since Jan. 1, 2023, when they first launched.
No, visitors and residents of Ohio can bet online when physically located within Ohio’s state boundaries. You can also bet online in other states that offer legal sportsbooks.
Ohio Sports Betting Industry: More Resources
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