Best Ohio Sports Betting Apps in 2023: Over $4,000 in Offers

A total of 18 of the best sportsbooks are now participating in legal Ohio sports betting.

Bettors can claim the top Ohio sports betting bonuses worth over $4,800 that sports betting apps are offering new users.

The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) was at the forefront of making sure everything was set for the launch so Ohio bettors could wager on popular sporting events like the Super Bowl and March Madness.

Here is all the latest news and information you need to know now that Ohio sportsbooks have launched, including reviews of the top sportsbook apps and how to take advantage of all the Ohio sports betting promo codes listed below.

Rank

Sportsbooks

Bonus

Features

Play

1

Visit Bet365 Sportsbook

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GET $365

In Bonus Bets

Bet365 Sportsbook Review

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2

Visit Caesars Sportsbook

$1,000 FIRST BET

On Caesars

Caesars Sportsbook Review

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Stream NFL Games In-App for Free

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3

Visit BETMGM Sportsbook

UP TO $1,500

In Bonus Bets

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Free Live Streaming - Watch Live Games 

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4

Visit BetRivers Sportsbook

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BetRivers Sportsbook Review

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5

Visit Betfred Sportsbook

GET UP TO $1,111

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6

Visit Betway Sportsbook

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Betway Sportsbook Review

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Best Ohio Sportsbook Apps Now Live in 2023

21+ and present in OH. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER

Is Sports Betting Legal in Ohio?

Yes, sports betting is legal in Ohio. A total of 18 sportsbooks are currently live and offering bonuses including Caesars and FanDuel.

Retail and online sports betting launched in Ohio in January 2023 after a lengthy wait. Ohio residents can now place wagers on collegiate and professional games, as well as the Olympics, horse racing, race car events, and esports all under the terms of the legislation. The legal age to bet is set at 21.

Ohio Sports Betting – Quick Overview

Best Ohio Sportsbook Bonuses & Launch Promotions

Ohio sports betting is now live and all the Ohio sportsbooks are offering sign-up bonuses for new users. Requiring little to no financial commitment, new users can claim over $4,800 in Ohio sports betting bonuses. Claim the offers below to get started.

What Sports Betting Apps Work In Ohio?

A total of 13 retail sportsbooks and 18 online sportsbooks are fully licensed by the Ohio Casino Control Commission to accept bets in the state.

Which Sports Can I Bet On In Ohio?

The Ohio Casino Control Commission has an approved a sports wagering catalog, establishing what customers can and cannot bet on with online sports betting now live in the state. Ohio bettors can wager on a wide range of sports and entertainment options.

Where Can I Bet On Sports In Ohio?

Now that Ohio sports betting is legal and has launched, residents can also walk into a retail sports betting location and place a bet in person. Find out what cities have already been approved for an Ohio retail sportsbook and which ones are open now.

Caesars Sportsbook: Rocket Mortgage Field House

• Caesars Sportsbook was among the sportsbooks that opened its doors on New Year’s Day 2023 —starting at 9 a.m. Caesars Sportsbook at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse is Caesars Entertainment’s third sportsbook at a U.S. professional sports facility, adding to the industry’s first in-arena sportsbook – Caesars Sportsbook at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., and Caesars Sportsbook at Chase Field in Arizona, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The space is open near year-round on both event and non-event days.

BetMGM Sportsbook: The Banks (Coming Soon)

• On June 21, 2023, BetMGM and the Cincinnati Reds announced the relocation of the BetMGM Sportsbook at Great American Ball Park to The Banks in downtown Cincinnati. The BetMGM Sportsbook will be located at the corner of Second Street and Joe Nuxhall Way in the area formerly occupied by Galla Park. The new sportsbook will feature a restaurant open to all ages, along with a sportsbook open to patrons 21 and older.
• The existing BetMGM Sportsbook at Great American Ball Park will remain open throughout Fall 2023.

BetMGM Sportsbook: MGM Northfield Park

• A second BetMGM retail sportsbook location opened at MGM Northfield Park on New Year’s Day. The sportsbook has 2,200 square ft of space and offers has 14 total kiosks within the gaming floor and 16 odds boards.

FanDuel Sportsbook: Belterra Park

• FanDuel Sportsbook opened its retail location at Belterra Park on Jan. 5. The sportsbook is a 2,800-square-foot location and offers sports betting with 4 self-service betting kiosks, 12 television screens, and a large video wall with a sports ticker. FanDuel offers spreads, single bets, parlays, and more, for all major U.S. sports including professional soccer, football, golf, boxing, motorsports, and collegiate football and basketball.

Approved Retail Ohio Sportsbooks

Ohio Sports Betting Partners

These new Ohio sportsbooks already have a strong presence based on their partnerships with the state’s top sports teams. Many of the sportsbooks have already announced cross-promotional bonuses with their perspective teams.

• Cincinnati Reds: The Reds announced that BetMGM will serve as a sports betting partner for the team and has opened a retail BetMGM Sportsbook at Great American Ball Park.
• Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals and Betfred announced a multi-year partnership to make Betfred the team’s official sports betting partner.
• Cleveland Browns: The Browns have partnered with Bally Bet as the team’s official sports betting partner.
• Cleveland Cavaliers:  Caesars Sportsbook has partnered with the team’s official sports betting partner.
• Cleveland Guardians: The Guardians have partnered with bet365 Sportsbook
• Columbus Blue Jackets: Fanatics Sportsbook has plans for a retail sportsbook with the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena
• Columbus Crew: The Columbus Crew announced a partnership with Tipico as their official sports betting partner.
• FC Cincinnati: Cincinnati has partnered with SuperBook as their official sports betting partner for mobile and a retail sportsbook
• Pro Football Hall of Fame Village: Not a specific professional sports team, but honoring many of the Ohio NFL teams, the Pro Football Hall of Fame has partnered with Betr Ohio for their retail sports betting partner.

Betting On Ohio Sports Teams

The launch of 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 all the football fanatics, the launch of sports betting coming to residents in January has allowed for there to still be room to bet on college and NFL games. Looking ahead across all the Ohio professional teams there will be no shortage of teams to wager on.

Ohio’s most famous professional leagues are the NBA, NFL, MLB, MLS, and NHL. The famous teams to speak of are:

Cincinnati Bengals

Betting on the Cincinnati Bengals is more popular than ever. The Bengals enjoyed another strong 2022-23 season, clinching a playoff berth for a second straight year thanks to the Jacksonville Jaguars’ defeat of the New York Jets on Dec. 22, 2022. Cincinnati nearly earned a Super Bowl berth for a second straight year but fell 23-20 to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game.

The Bengals should be poised for more success and 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.

Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns, named after original coach and co-founder Paul Brown, compete in the NFL as a member club of the AFC North division. 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 that 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.

If you are interested in how to bet on the Cleveland Browns, you can read our primer, including upcoming odds, at the link.

Cincinnati Reds

The Ohio fan base is spoiled with two professional teams to bet on in the MLB. The Cincinnati Reds have won five World Series championships, nine NL pennants, one AA pennant, and ten division titles. The team’s last World Series title came in 1990 when the Reds swept the heavily favored Oakland Athletics in four straight. The Cincinnati Reds finished the 2022 season 62-100, tied for fourth in the NL Central. It was their first 100-loss season since 1982 and their second in franchise history.

BetMGM, the Official Sports Betting Partner of the Cincinnati Reds, has a retail BetMGM Sportsbook at Great American Ball Park.

Cleveland Guardians

On December 18, 2020, the team confirmed that the Indian’s name would be dropped after the 2021 season and that their new name will be the Cleveland Guardians. Since their establishment as 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 among all 30 current Major League teams.

In 2022, the Cleveland Guardians won the American League Central title for the first time since 2018 and defeated the Tampa Bay Rays in the Wild Card Series. Cleveland ultimately fell to the New York Yankees in the Division Series in five games. The Guardians have partnered with bet365 Sportsbook. With sites live in New Jersey and Colorado, the Buckeye State became the third US sportsbook for bet365.

Columbus Crew (MLS)

The Columbus Crew is one of Ohio’s Major League Soccer (MLS) teams. The Crew was part of the inaugural year of MLS in 1996. The Columbus-based team calls Lower.com Field home as do the 20,000 fans that come out to games. The Crew ended the 2022 season in eighth place in the Eastern Conference, holding a 10-16-8 record. There is an uncertain future ahead for the Crew as the decision was made to fire Head Coach Caleb Porter after the conclusion of this disappointing season. The decision of the new manager of the team has not been announced.

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 has turned the team around since making its MLS debut. Finishing in last place almost every season, this year the club finished in fifth place in the Eastern Conference with a 12-13-9 record.

Therefore, Ohio is one of the few states that has all four major sports leagues represented by their own home teams. These teams compete every year in major tournaments and competitions. Each of the above teams also has a small army of dedicated fans that would provide instantaneous sports betting revenue to the state government when Ohio sports betting is finally legalized.

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 will not be renewed.

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavaliers have a solid fan base and are a popular with those who bet in 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, more 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.

Can I Bet on College Sports in Ohio?

Yes, betting on college sports in Ohio is legal with no restrictions. With sports betting launching in Ohio in January 2023, state residents were able to bet on the 2023 March Madness tournament for the first time.

While Ohio State men’s basketball team missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017, Ohio was still well represented during March Madness. The Xavier men’s basketball team earned the No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament Midwest Region.

The Musketeers saw their run end in the Sweet 16 when they lost 83-71 to No. 2 seeded Texas in the NCAA Regional Semifinals at the T-Mobile Center. Xavier ends its season with a 27-10 overall record.

The Kent State Golden Flashes men’s basketball team was selected as the No. 13 seed in the NCAA Tournament but lost to the No. 4 seeded Indiana Hoosiers 71-60 win in the first round in Albany, New York.

Ohio’s loyalty to its professional teams spills over to its collegiate sports, most notably when it comes to betting on Ohio State football.

The Ohio State Buckeyes football team are 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 and but fell to top-seeded and defending national champion Georgia in the semifinals at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on Dec. 31.

Men’s and women’s basketball are also popular at Ohio State. The Ohio State women’s basketball team got off to a record-breaking 19-0 start this season before suffering their first defeat to Iowa on Jan. 23.

Many states that have legalized sports betting have also implemented restrictions on collegiate bets for their home teams. For example, New Jersey doesn’t allow any collegiate sports bets whatsoever if the games take place within the state or if their team is playing.

While Ohio State has urged legislators to limit betting on collegiate sports, bettors will be able to gamble on college sports the way things currently stand in the state’s sports betting market. Unlike some other locations, Ohioans can place wagers on local teams and player prop bets.

Can I Bet Horse Racing in Ohio?

Yes, Ohio has seven horse racing tracks that host live racing. Four of those tracks host live harness racing and three host live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing

• Mahoning Valley Race Course: 655 N. Canfield Niles Rd, Youngstown, Ohio 44515 (Thoroughbred & Quarter Horse Racing)
• Belterra Park: 6301 Kellogg Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45230 (Thoroughbred & Quarter Horse Racing)
• JACK Thistledown: 21501 Emery Rd., North Randall, Ohio 44128 (Thoroughbred Racing)
• Miami Valley Gaming & Racing: 6000 SR 63, Lebanon, Ohio 45036 (Standardbred Racing)
• Northfield Park: 10705 Northfield Road, Northfield, Ohio 44067 (Standardbred Racing)
• Dayton Raceway: 777 Hollywood Blvd, Dayton, Ohio 45414 (Standardbred Racing)
• Scioto Downs: 6000 S. High St., PO Box 7823, Columbus, Ohio 43207 (Standardbred Racing)

BetMGM Ohio also launched a horse racing app that is legal for residents to use and bet on horse racing. The app launched a year ago and allows users within the state of Ohio to bet on over 200 races around the world. While fans wait for sports betting to become available, they can get a head start getting to know BetMGM through their legal horse racing app.

How Did Ohio Sports Betting Become Legal?

Ohio sports betting became legalized when both chambers overwhelmingly approved the activity after long-stalled and sought-after legislation. The amended version of House Bill 29 was first passed by the Senate 31-1, and later by the House, 72-12. Legal sports betting then launched in the state on January 1, 2023 after many months of planning by the Ohio Casino Control Commission to establish sports betting guidelines in the state, awarded sports betting licenses, and approve final business plans.

Sportsbook apps, brick-and-mortar sportsbooks, and Ohio sports betting kiosks in bars all became eligible on launch day.

The sports gaming bill, HB 29, was the result of the work of the Conference Committee of Representatives Jay Edwards, Bill Seitz, Adam Miller, and Senators Kirk Schuring, Nathan Manning, and Cecil Thomas. The bill permits Ohio online gambling, under the regulatory authority of the Ohio Casino Control Commission and the Ohio Lottery.

With 11 casinos and 9 professional teams in Ohio, there are numerous operators in the state once the market settles. Betting on college sports is also allowed in the Buckeye State with no regulations.

WFMJ-TV cited an industry study that suggested Ohio could be among the top sports betting markets in the US when it reaches it’s full maturity.

Ohio Sports Betting Market

Now that the newest sports betting market has launched, there are many opportunities for sports bettors to be creative in the new gambling space. Ohio residents should stick to legal betting methods but can choose between multiple sports betting apps and retail sportsbook locations.

Who Regulates Sports Betting in Ohio?

The Ohio Casino Control Commission has the responsibility to ensure the integrity of casino gaming, sports gaming, skill-based amusement machines and fantasy contests by licensing, regulating, investigating and enforcing state laws.

The Ohio Casino Control Commission is a bipartisan regulatory body made up of seven Commissioners, an Executive Director and supporting staff that provides oversight of the casino gaming industry in Ohio. The Commission was created in 2011 following the passage of the Casino Control Law (Revised Code Section 3772).

Any person operating, conducting, or assisting in operating or conducting sports gaming in Ohio must first obtain the appropriate license from the Commission. In so doing, these persons must meet the relevant standards in the state’s sports gaming control law and the rules adopted thereunder.

Ohio Sports Betting Laws, Tax Rates, and License Fees

• Ohio’s sports wagering legislation provides for mobile and land-based within the state’s borders with at least 25 mobile sports betting platforms licensed as permitted platforms.
• The tax rate for sports betting in Ohio was originally set at 10% but will double to 20% after Ohio state lawmakers passed a $86.1 billion state budget on June 30, 2023 that included the rate hike
• The licensing fees for Type A are dependent on the type of license, whether 1 or more mobile provider partnership  are involved and the type of organization involved.
• 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 that 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.
• For a Type C license, the initial  license is $100,000 with a $25,000 renewal fee.

Source: American Gaming Association

Ohio Sports Betting Licenses

When planning the launch of Ohio sports betting, the application that each sportsbook or establishment filled would determine which license it would be awarded. These licenses also determine what sports betting experience bettors will have.

• Type A: Mobile and online sports betting apps, such as DraftKings and FanDuel;
• Type B: Retail sports betting establishments such as casinos;
• Type C: Sports betting kiosks available to select bars and restaurants.

Ohio Sports Betting Revenue

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 $446.2 million in handle for May 2023, down from the $520.6 million between retail and online for the month of April 2023. That total represents the lowest monthly figure since sports betting launched in Ohio on Jan. 1, 2023.

February’s revenue total came in at $638.8 million in handle. In January, more than $1 billion was wagered with Ohio sportsbooks, a figure few legal sports betting states have ever hit.

FanDuel once again was the leading Ohio sportsbook, taking in $158.5 million in online handle for May. DraftKings handled more than $137 million in online wagers followed by bet365 with $32.1 million in handle.

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.

Responsible Gaming Measures in Ohio

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 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 offers individuals the ability 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, racino properties and to participate in Ohio sports gaming during the length of 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 FAQs

Ohio Sports Betting: More Resources

• Ohio Casino Revenue
• Ohio Casino Control Commission
• Ohio Sports Betting Bill
• Michigan Online Betting
• Pennsylvania Online Betting
• Indiana Online Betting
• West Virginia Online Betting