Ohio Sports Betting Launches With 13 Licensed Apps

Ohio sports betting became legal on Jan. 1, 2023, following the signing of House Bill 29 by Governor Mike DeWine. The Ohio Casino Control Commission has since licensed 13 sportsbook apps for online and retail use, allowing bettors aged 21 and older to wager on professional and collegiate events.

The legislation was signed in December 2021, but the first apps did not become available until January 2023 after receiving clearance from the commission. Since launch, the state has approved multiple platforms for both digital and in-person betting. Users must be physically located within Ohio to place a wager, though residency is not required.

Bettors can access various local teams across major professional leagues. In the NFL, the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns are available for wagering. Major League Baseball options include the Cleveland Guardians and Cincinnati Reds. The NBA features the Cleveland Cavaliers, while the Columbus Blue Jackets represent hockey. College football betting is also prominent, with Ohio State among the popular programs. Wagers are permitted on sides, totals, and spreads for both professional and college games. However, the state prohibits betting on college player props.

The market offers several types of promotional incentives for new users. Profit boosts can increase potential returns, such as doubling odds on specific wagers. Deposit matches provide a 1:1 match in bonus funds, which are distinct from real cash but usable for betting. Bet-and-get offers typically involve placing a small initial wager to receive a larger amount in bonus bets.

Thirteen retail locations currently operate within the state. Most of these sites are situated inside casinos, with specific partnerships between brands and venues. FanDuel operates at Belterra Park in Anderson Township. Caesars runs locations at Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs in Columbus and the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland. Hard Rock Bet is present at Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati.

ESPN BET maintains a wider retail footprint, with locations at Hollywood Casino Columbus, Hollywood Casino Toledo, Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway in Dayton, and Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley in Youngstown. betJACK operates at JACK Cleveland Casino in Cleveland and JACK Thistledown Racino in North Randall. BetMGM has a presence at MGM Northfield Park in Northfield and The Banks in Cincinnati. Finally, MVGBet is located at Miami Valley Gaming in Lebanon.

The selection of a specific sportsbook depends on individual preferences regarding user interface, deposit and withdrawal options, and overall accessibility. Using multiple sportsbooks may be beneficial due to differing odds and incentives offered by each platform.