Ohio sports betting was launched on Jan. 1, 2023, when Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 29 into law. Currently, over a dozen Ohio sportsbooks, including BetMGM, bet365, and Caesars, are available to bettors.
Our betting experts at Gaming Today have ranked the best Ohio sports betting apps using key markers like Ohio sportsbook promotions, user experience, customer service, and banking options. Follow Gaming Today for full Ohio sports betting app reviews, Ohio sports betting news, and an Ohio betting guide.
Best Ohio Sports Betting Apps
21+ and present in OH. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Ohio residents have many legal sportsbooks to choose from. Since legal Ohio sports betting launched, nearly 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.
BetMGM Sportsbook
The BetMGM Sportsbook app derives from the MGM casino brand of Las Vegas. The app is particularly popular among traditional sports bettors and is known for processing all withdrawals within 48 hours. When it comes to wagering markets, you can bet on everything from cricket to darts to the NFL.
- Key features: Same-game parlays, live streaming, daily prop specials
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available on: iOS and Android
- App store ratings: Apple 4.8; Google 4.5
bet365
bet365 Sportsbook is currently available in 10 US states, including Ohio. Between having the most dynamic new-user bonus—you can choose between two bonuses—and one of the best iOS and Android applications, bet365 is widely considered to be one of the best sportsbook apps on the market.
- Key features: 24-48 hour withdrawals, existing-user promos, flexible new-user bonus
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available on: iOS and Android
- App Store ratings: Apple 4.8; Google 4.6
FanDuel Sportsbook
The FanDuel app is one of the two largest sportsbook brands in the United States. It grew from a daily fantasy sports (DFS) giant into a gambling empire featuring popular sportsbook and online casino apps. It offers consistently strong odds, an easy-to-use app interface, and tons of betting markets. You’ll find a wide variety of player props at FanDuel that you won’t see elsewhere, so it’s an excellent option for bettors who love exotic bets.
- Key features: In-game wagering, early cash outs, online betting guide
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available on: iOS and Android
- App store ratings: Apple 4.9; Google 4.6
Caesars Sportsbook
The Caesars Sportsbook app is the online child of the famous Caesars sportsbook and casino brand. As a platform, it is recognized as having one of the best customer rewards programs and one of the best client support systems.
- Key features: Fast payouts, same-game parlays, odds boosts
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available on: iOS and Android
- App store ratings: Apple 4.6; Google 4.3
Fanatics Sportsbook
The Fanatics Sportsbook, a rebrand of the former PointsBet app, went live in Ohio in August 2023. Users can receive FanCash, which can be applied to bonus bets or Fanatics merchandise. It also is one of the best for living streaming within the app.
- Key features: Pre-game stats, pre-packaged same game parlays, early cashouts, strong live betting section
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available on: iOS and Android
- App Store Rating: Apple 4.7; Google 4.6
Latest Ohio Sports Betting Updates
Ohio Sportsbook Promo Codes & Bonuses To Explore
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 September 2024.
📱Ohio Sportsbook 💰Promotion 🎯Promo Code
📱 BetMGM Ohio 💰 Get up to $1,500 in bonus bets 🎯 BETGTODAY
📱 bet365 Ohio 💰 First Bet Safety Net up to $1,000 OR Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets 🎯 GTODAYOH
📱 FanDuel Ohio 💰Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets Guaranteed + 3 Weeks of NFL Sunday Ticket 🎯 Use Our Exclusive Link
📱 Caesars Ohio 💰 Get up to a $1,000 First Bet on Caesars 🎯 TODAY1000
📱 Fanatics Ohio 💰Bet and Get up to $1,000 in Bonus Bets 🎯Click to claim promo
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 Online Sportsbook
Caesars Sportsbook, FanDuel, 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. Read our Ohio sportsbook reviews to find the app that suits your preferences.
Choose a Sportsbook Welcome Offer
Use one of Gaming Today’s exclusive sign-up links 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.
Download and Register
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.
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.
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 a 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 essential 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.
Types of Bets at OH Sportsbooks
Moneyline
Moneyline odds indicate how likely a team is to win a game. You just pick who you think will win.
The team that is deemed more likely to win a game will have a “-” in front of their odds. The number that follows the “-” shows how much you have to wager to win $100. These teams are considered the favorites.
The team that is deemed less likely to win a game will have a “+” sign in front of their odds. The number that follows the “+” sign shows how much one would win off a $100 bet. These teams are considered the underdogs.
Spread
Point spread bets concern the margin of victory for a contest. Considering one team is more likely to win, this spread is the point value at which there are even odds on both sides.
Say the Browns are playing the Bengals. The Browns may be slight favorites on the moneyline and, thus, may be listed at -3 on the point spread. If you bet the Browns on the spread, you would need them to win by more than 3 points. Someone who bets on the
Bengals would need them to lose by less than 3 (or win outright).
Total
Total bets are over/under wagers on the amount of points scored in a contest. Using the Browns vs. Bengals example, the total for the game may be set at 43.5
You can then bet the over or the under based on this total. Betting the Over means betting on more than 43.5 points to be scored.
Player Props
Player prop bets are over/under bets on statistical metrics for individual players. In the NFL, an example of a player prop wager would be betting on a wide receiver to have over or under a certain amount of receptions in a game. In the NBA, an example of a player prop would be betting on a player to have over or under a certain amount of points. Each major sportsbook offers player props for professional sports. College player prop selections may be limited.
Futures
Futures bets are wagers on any market that takes more than a day to settle. Sportsbooks set odds for events like the Super Bowl or College Football Playoff months before they take place. Once a future market is set, the odds will evolve to reflect the current probabilities. If it becomes clear, for example, that only two teams are true contenders for a championship, their odds will shrink as the season progresses.
Parlays
Parlays are bets that involve combining any of the bet types listed to make one wager in which each bet is dependent on every other bet. Each bet in a parlay is called a “leg.” The more legs that someone adds to their parlay, the longer the odds become, and the higher the potential payout becomes.
Sports To Bet on in Ohio
The launch of legal sports betting in Ohio taps into a massive market for the industry. Although other states have more professional sports franchises, 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 |
|---|---|
| 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 |
NFL Betting in Ohio
Cincinnati Bengals: Betting on the Cincinnati Bengals is more popular than ever. The Bengals enjoyed a 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. Then, the 2023-2024 season was marred by an injury to star quarterback Joe Burrow.
The Bengals look poised for more success and are a popular NFL betting option for 2024-25. You can check out their Super Bowl odds here.
Cleveland Browns: The Cleveland Browns, named after original coach and co-founder Paul Brown, compete in the NFL as an AFC North division team. Since resuming operations in 1999, the Browns have struggled to find success, especially during the 2010s when they did not post one winning season. They are one of four teams to have never appeared in a Super Bowl, along with the Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Football Betting Guides — Best NFL Betting Apps | Top College Football Betting Sites | Best Football Promo Codes
NBA Betting in Ohio
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.
In recent times, the Cavs have been fringe Eastern Conference contenders. In the summer of 2024, they signed star guard Donovan Mitchell to a massive, long-term contract. The team is also banking on the continued development of Evan Mobley.
Basketball Betting Guides — Best NBA Betting Sites | Best College Basketball Betting Sites | Latest Basketball Promo Codes
MLB Betting in Ohio
Cincinnati Reds: The Ohio fanbase has two professional teams to wager on for MLB. 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. The Reds finished the 2023 season 82-80, third place in the NL Central. This 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 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 AL 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.
Baseball Betting Guides — Best MLB Betting Sites | Latest Baseball Promo Codes
NHL Betting in Ohio
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. Subsequently, the Blue Jackets relieved Brad Larsen of his duties as head coach and announced that goaltending coach Manny Legace’s contract would not be renewed. Things didn’t get much better in 2023-24 as the Blue Jackets finished 27-43-12, last in the Metropolitan Division.
Hockey Betting Guides — Best NHL Betting Apps | Latest NHL Promo Codes
MLS Betting in Ohio
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 is 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 plays 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.
College Sports Betting in Ohio
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.
Ohio Sports Betting: Quick Facts
Ohio sports betting has become one of the most successful markets in the country since the launch of legal OH betting apps on Jan. 1, 2023. Read below for everything you need to know about Ohio sports gambling.
| 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% |
Ohio Sports Betting Laws
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.
Gov. 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.
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 (View NFL odds, MLS odds, NHL odds, NBA odds, MLB odds)
- College football (View Best NCAAF betting sites)
- College basketball (View Best NCAAB betting sites)
- Horse racing
- Super Bowl
- Stanley Cup
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
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 or protects 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 deposit options.
- There is no way to take legal action against offshore sites in a dispute.
OH Sports Betting Legalization Timeline
Ohio legislators ban college player props.
Legal sports betting launches on New Year’s Day. In the first month of legal wagering, the state accepts $1.11 billion in total bets.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission begins drafting rules for the implementation of sports betting in the state. It will start accepting licenses between June and July 2022.
Sen. Kirk Schuring introduces SB176. The bill passes through the Senate but fails to make progress in the House. Later, worried it may not make it through the year’s legislative session, Schuring reframes SB176 as an addition to HB29. This bill ultimately passes the House and Senate.
HB194 makes it out of committee, and negotiations begin in the Senate.
S111, an initial sports betting bill supported by Gov. Mike DeWine, gets heard eight times in the House finance committee. The Senate holds one hearing, content to wait until 2020.
Ohio Sports Betting Revenue and Handle
Since legal sports betting in Ohio launched, the state has established itself among the top markets in the country.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission reported the state collected $476,862,583 in total sports betting handle for the month of July 2024, a decline from the $529,807,321 in total sports betting handle posted in June.
Ohio online sportsbooks were responsible for $466,646,407 of the total handle while retail sports betting operators added another $10,216,176 in handle for July.
Overall, operators generated $ 55,089,099 in sports betting revenue. The tax rate on operators in the state of Ohio is 20%, while the tax rate on individual winnings is 24%.
| 🗓 July 2024 | 🗓 June 2024 | 🗓 May 2024 | 🗓April 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 📱Total Online: $466,646,407 | 📱Total Online: $516,106,443 | 📱Total Online: $595,228,863 | 📱Total Online: $657,085,444 |
| 🏦 Total Retail: $10,216,176 | 🏦 Total Retail: $13,700,878 | 🏦 Total Retail: $16,387,028 | 🏦 Total Retail: $16,084,196 |
| 💰Total Handle: $476,862,583 | 💰Total Handle: $529,807,321 | 💰Total Handle: $611,615,891 | 💰Total Handle: $673,169,640 |
Full List of Mobile Ohio Betting Apps
Betfred announced it will be ceasing operations in Ohio as of Aug. 31, 2024.
| 📱Sportsbook | 🤝 Local Partner | ✅ Mobile and/or Retail? |
|---|---|---|
| 📱BetMGM Ohio | 🤝 Cincinnati Reds and MGM Northfield Park | ✅ Mobile and Retail |
| 📱bet365 Ohio | 🤝 Cleveland Guardians | ✅ Mobile |
| 📱FanDuel Ohio | 🤝 Belterra Park | ✅ Mobile and Retail |
| 📱Caesars Sportsbook Ohio | 🤝 Cleveland Cavaliers and Scioto Downs | ✅ Mobile and Retail |
| 📱Fanatics | 🤝 Columbus Blue Jackets | ✅ Mobile |
| 📱BetRivers Ohio | 🤝 Hollywood Gaming Dayton Raceway | ✅ Mobile |
| 📱ESPN Bet Ohio | 🤝 Hollywood Casino Columbus | ✅ Mobile and Retail |
| 📱betJACK Ohio | 🤝JACK Cleveland Casino and JACK Thistledown Racino | ✅ Mobile and Retail |
| 📱Betr | 🤝 Pro Football Hall of Fame Village | ✅ Mobile |
| 📱Gamewise/MVGBet | 🤝 Miami Valley Gaming and Racing | ✅ Mobile |
| 📱Hard Rock Digital | 🤝 Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati | ✅ Mobile and Retail |
| 📱betParx | 🤝 Muirfield Village Golf Course | ✅ Mobile |
| 📱DraftKings Ohio | 🤝 Hollywood Casino Toledo | ✅ Mobile |
What To Look for in Ohio Betting Apps
From security to betting markets to new-user bonuses, there are many aspects to consider when deciding which sportsbook works best for you.
Gaming Today has considered each of these factors when rating the top legal sportsbooks in Ohio. Some of the factors to evaluate are:
- In-app navigation and user experience
- Variety of betting markets
- Competitive odds
- Quick withdrawal methods
- Tested security features, multi-factor authentication
- Multiple deposit and withdrawal options
- Accessible welcome offers and strong existing-user bonuses
Where To Bet in Ohio: Retail Sportsbooks
The most popular form of sports betting in OH is mobile sportsbooks. However, visiting retail sportsbooks is a great experience for a bettor of any experience level. Ohio residents are lucky, with more than 15 retail sportsbook locations across the state. Find the closest OH retail sportsbook to start placing in-person bets!
| 🏦 Retail Sportsbook Venue | 💰 Sports Betting Partner | 📍Address |
|---|---|---|
| 🏦 Hollywood Casino Toledo | 💰 ESPN BET | 📍 1968 Miami St, Toledo, OH 43605 |
| 🏦 Hollywood Casino Columbus | 💰 ESPN BET | 📍 200 Georgesville Rd, Columbus, OH 43228 |
| 🏦 Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course | 💰ESPN BET | 📍 655 N Canfield Niles Rd, Youngstown, OH 44515 |
| 🏦 Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway | 💰ESPN BET | 📍 777 Hollywood Blvd, Dayton, OH 45414 |
| 🏦 Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati | 💰 Hard Rock Sportsbook | 📍 1000 Broadway, Cincinnati, OH 45202 |
| 🏦 Scioto Downs | 💰 Caesars Sportsbook | 📍 6000 S High St, Columbus, OH 43207 |
| 🏦 JACK Cleveland Casino | 💰BetJACK | 📍 100 Public Square, Cleveland, OH 44113 |
| 🏦 JACK Thistledown Racino | 💰BetJACK | 📍 21501 Emery Rd, North Randall, OH 44128 |
| 🏦 Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse | 💰 Caesars Sportsbook | 📍 1 Center Court, Cleveland, OH 44115 |
| 🏦 FirstEnergy Stadium | 💰 Bally Bet | 📍 100 Alfred Lerner Way, Cleveland, OH 44114 |
| 🏦 Nationwide Arena | 💰 Fanatics Sportsbook | 📍 200 W Nationwide Blvd, Columbus, OH 43215 |
| 🏦 Belterra Park Cincinnati | 💰 FanDuel Sportsbook | 📍 6301 Kellogg Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45230 |
| 🏦 Great American Ball Park | 💰 BetMGM Sportsbook | 📍 100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202 |
| 🏦 MGM Northfield Park | 💰 BetMGM Sportsbook | 📍 10777 Northfield Rd, Northfield, OH 44067 |
| 🏦 Miami Valley Gaming | 💰 MVGBet | 📍 6000 OH-63, Lebanon, OH 45036 |
| 🏦 Historic Crew Stadium | 💰 Tipico Sportsbook | 📍 One Black and Gold Blvd, Columbus, OH 43211 |
| 🏦 Progressive Field | 💰 Fanatics Sportsbook | 📍 2401 Ontario St, Cleveland, OH 44115 |
| 🏦 Paul Brown Stadium | 💰 Betfred | 📍 1 Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH 45202 |
How Ohio Sports Betting Compares to Betting in Nearby States
There are a few differences between Ohio and neighboring sports betting states. Pennsylvania, Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio all have mobile and retail sports betting and have had a similar timeline for legalization.
Where Ohio stands out is the state’s tax rate. It 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 that of Pennsylvania (36%) and higher than that of Michigan (8.4%).
Overall, Ohio is a very appealing sports betting market. There is a wide range of sports to bet on, lower tax rates, and an emphasis on responsible gambling.
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%
Other Types of Gambling in Ohio
Beyond the popular ways to bet on sports in Ohio—apps and retail sportsbooks—other types of gambling are available. Daily fantasy sports (DFS) provide another option in the state.
| Gambling Alternative | Legal? |
|---|---|
| Social Sportsbooks | ✅ |
| Daily Fantasy Sports | ✅ |
| Horse Racing Betting | ✅ |
| Lottery | ✅ |
| Online Casinos | ❌ |
| Online Poker | ❌ |
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) Betting in Ohio
Daily fantasy sports have 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.
Social Sportsbooks in Ohio
Social sportsbooks, such as Fliff and Rebet, are both legal in the state of Ohio. They provide an alternative to gambling with real money. It’s the same concept: players bet 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 acquired through welcome bonuses or player rewards.
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
Ohio Online Casinos
Ohio does not offer online casinos, and it is unlikely that the state will legalize any form of online casino. Social casinos, however, are available in the state.
Ohio Online Poker
Online poker is not legal in the state of Ohio. Anyone looking to play poker legally can only do so at one of the licensed retail casino operators in the state. Some of these eligible casinos include:
Address: 1000 Broadway, Cincinnati, OH, 45202
Address: 200 Georgesville Rd. Columbus, OH 43228
Address: 1968 Miami St., Toledo, OH 43605
Address: 100 Public Square, Cleveland, OH 44113
Esports Betting in Ohio
Esports betting is legal in Ohio. Individuals across the state can bet on esports games such as League of Legends, Call of Duty, DOTA 2, Valorant, and more.
Ohio Responsible Gaming
Four state agencies have come together to form the Ohio 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.
More Resources For Ohio Bettors
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.
Ohio Sports Betting FAQ
Yes, Ohio is a legal sports betting state after the passage of HB 29. As of Jan. 1, 2023, Ohio residents can participate in online and in-person sports betting.
Yes. DraftKings is legal and available for anyone who’s 21+ and located in Ohio.
Yes. Like DraftKings, the FanDuel app is legal for anyone who’s 21+ and within state lines.
No. Sportsbook apps use geolocation technology to verify that you are in an area that permits sports betting. Thus, individuals do not need to be residents of Ohio to gamble in the state. They simply need to be located in the state.
You need to be 21 years of age or older to bet on sports in Ohio. Ohio’s retail casinos are also 21+.
Nearly 20 sportsbook apps are available in Ohio, including bet365, BetMGM, Caesars, BetFred, BetRivers, betJACK, Betr, DraftKings, ESPN Bet, FanDuel, Gamewise/MVGBet, Hard Rock Digital, SuperBook, betParx, and Fanatics.
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, it is legal to bet on the Ohio State Buckeyes and any other college sports. That said, it is illegal to bet player props for college sports in Ohio.
Yes, it is illegal to use offshore sportsbooks in Ohio such as Bovada and MyBookie.
Yes, online gambling is legal in Ohio. Mobile and retail sports betting have been available since Jan. 1, 2023.
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.
Latest Ohio Sports Betting News
Bovada Stops Accepting Bets in Ohio Following Cease-And-Desist
Betfred Ohio Sportsbook to Close on Aug. 31
House Study Commission Recommends Ohio iGaming, iLottery
2024 Ohio Sports Betting Moves Ahead of 2023 Pace with Latest Numbers
Ohio Considers Changing Rules for Unused Sports Betting Licenses
Similar to Ohio: More Legal Sports Betting States
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