Ohio Sports Betting

Ohio is one of a growing collection of states that have legalized sports betting. The state is home to over 11 million residents, making it one of the nation’s biggest untapped markets. After years of deliberation, finally, on December 8, 2021, Ohio residents and sports bettors alike saw lawmakers officially approve sports betting in the Buckeye State.

The state of Ohio has long shown that it is not averse to gambling, with 11 casinos/racinos having opened their doors since 2012. Now that sports betting is legal in the state, it appears that retail sportsbooks will not be too far behind in joining their counterparts.

This page will function as an overall summary of legal sports betting in the state of Ohio – we’ll cover eligibility requirements, the launch date, which sportsbooks will be in the state, bonus offers, promo codes, and more. Let’s take a look at what’s going on.

Ohio bettors must be 21+ and present to place wagers in the state. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling problem in Ohio? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

The Long Path to Legal Ohio Sports Betting

Ohio is at the finish line of what has turned out to be an extremely lengthy process toward legalizing sports betting. But how exactly did we get to this point?

It all began back in 2011 when New Jersey voted in favor of allowing sports betting to take place at the state’s casinos and racetracks. The mere idea of this happening would jumpstart a legal battle between the Garden State and the four major professional sports leagues and the NCAA, with their argument being that a repeal of PASPA (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act) would harm their leagues and players. The four leagues and the NCAA collaborated to sue New Jersey, thus stopping any momentum towards legalization. After losing the case, New Jersey appealed the decision in September of 2013, once again to no avail. 

It would take another four years and at least three failed attempts to finally break any ground on the matter. In June of 2017, the US Supreme Court took matters into their own hands and allowed the state of New Jersey to plead their case. This would be their final time doing so.

In May of 2018, the Supreme Court decided to abolish the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, the original legislation that imposed a nationwide ban on sports betting. Following this change, Nevada would no longer be the only state permitted to accept legal wagers.

Ohio would unfortunately still face a few bumps in the road despite the groundbreaking legislation. After failing to reach a consensus for years, and even a unanimous rejection in June, an agreement was finally reached in December of 2021, thus paving the way for legalized sports betting to take place in Ohio.

It may have taken a bit longer than some of the other nearby states, but Ohio joined the legal sports betting community on January 1, 2023.

Ohio Age and Location Requirements

Before you can bet on sports in the state of Ohio, you’ll need to be at least 21 years old. Additionally, you’ll need to be inside the state of Ohio. Sports betting legislation throughout the U.S. is done at the state level, meaning the rules are different in every state. Therefore, in order to legally engage with online sports betting in Ohio – you must be physically present in the state.

Ohio sports betting operators will require the use of geolocation tech, either through computer plug-ins or GPS chips (built into your phone) for proof of location. If you can’t prove where you are, the sites won’t let you wager.

OH residency is not required to place a legal bet. Anyone that is of age and in Ohio is eligible to take part.

Online Sportsbooks in Ohio

There are eleven retail sites in Ohio (four casinos, seven racinos) that are eligible to hold a sports betting license. Plus, each professional sports team is also eligible for a betting license. Each license includes up to two different online sports betting skins/brands. The first skin would cost $3 million, with the second coming in at $10 million. A second skin will only be awarded to a casino or sports team that can showcase how their skin provides an incremental benefit to the local economy.

There are 19 online sportsbooks bettors can use. We break down some of the top ones here:

ESPN BET

The newest online sportsbook in Ohio, ESPN BET is live as of November 14, 2023. PENN Entertainment is running ESPN BET through a partnership with the sports television network. New customers can get $150 in bonus bets after making any sportsbook bet. What a deal! Use the promo code GRIDERS to sign up!

Fanatics Sportsbook

Fanatics Sportsbook is a huge sports apparel brand that you’ve probably heard of, and the company decided in 2022 to get into the sports betting game. Fanatics Sportsbook has big plans and is assembling a talented team of sports betting industry veterans in preparation for launch. Fanatics Sportsbook has already partnered up with the Columbus Blue Jackets for an online and retail sportsbook and the Cleveland Guardians for a retail sportsbook. The company launched in Ohio in May 2023 and its app has garnered many positive reviews so far. We expect big things from Fanatics Sportsbook. 

Underdog Sports

Underdog Sports is another sportsbook that will launch. Underdog Fantasy is a very successful DFS operator that offers pick-em’ and traditional DFS contests in many states. The company has decided to expand its offerings to include traditional sports betting, and will be in Ohio as one of the first states for Underdog Sports. Underdog Sports has already signed a partnership agreement with the Cincinnati Reds for a digital sportsbook. Underdog is one of our favorite DFS sites, so there is no reason why their sportsbook won’t be just as successful.

DraftKings

As one of the few sportsbook brands to already land a market access deal with Penn National Gaming, DraftKings opened for business in Ohio on day one. DraftKings is typically one of the first brands to pop up in each new state that legalizes sports betting, and the deal with PNG meant that it was able to launch on opening day, January 1.

FanDuel Sportsbook

FanDuel is the biggest sportsbook in the country for a reason. Its app is superior, banking is a breeze, and the company offers the most sports and wagering opportunities. It is also available in just about every state with mobile sports betting. There is no doubt that FanDuel will be a top operator in Ohio. FanDuel lined up a partnership with Boyd Gaming’s Belterra Park Gaming & Entertainment Center to give it access to the Ohio market.

PointsBet

PointsBet was also confirmed as one of the sportsbook brands that will collaborate with Penn National Gaming in Ohio. PointsBet will operate as a mobile skin for PNG’s Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course.

BetRivers

Rush Street Interactive, the parent company of BetRivers and SugarHouse Sportsbook, struck a deal with Penn National Gaming in February of 2021. Their strategic market access partnership grants Rush Street Interactive the ability to implement its services in the state of Ohio for the next 20 years. The deal made BetRivers Ohio a reality on day one.

Unibet

In September 2020 the Kindred Group, and their primary U.S.-facing sports betting brand Unibet, announced a deal with Penn National that covers both Ohio and Illinois. The deal places Unibet under the wing of the Hollywood Casino at Dayton Raceway, a property owned by none other than PNG. 

Caesars Sportsbook

As the owner and operator of the Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs Racino, Caesars Sportsbook established the market access necessary to open up for business once Ohio on Day One.

BetMGM

Much like Caesars, BetMGM already has its own ties in the Buckeye State. BetMGM Sportsbook Ohio will operate out of MGM Northfield Park, which made the transition to mobile betting smooth and seamless.

Hard Rock Sportsbook

The third and final sportsbook brand with pre-existing ties to Ohio is none other than Hard Rock. Considering that they own the famous Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati, Ohio bettors can bank on this underrated book coming to their state.

Tipico Sportsbook

Tipico Sportsbook is a smaller sportsbook that is currently live in just New Jersey. It’s actually a German company, which is unusual in itself, but Germans like to bet on sports as much as any other country. Tipico is a fine sportsbook but it is rather unexceptional and hasn’t made a major impact in the American market. That may change when it comes to Ohio through a partnership with the Columbus Crew MLS team.

SuperBook Sports

SuperBook is famous for its Las Vegas retail location that has one of the biggest betting boards in the country and is a destination for those serious about their sports betting and prop bets. SuperBook is known for its wide variety of prop bets, which are offered on the SuperBook Sports app that is now available in a few states. SuperBook Sports went online in Ohio thanks to its partnership with FC Cincinnati, the new-ish MLS side (team).

BetPARX

Parx is a well-known online casino brand that operates online in Michigan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. BetPARX is the re-launched Parx Casino brand that includes a sportsbook. The online casino has done quite well, but the sportsbook has had limited success in the three states in which it operates. BetPARX is in Ohio thanks to a partnership with the PGA Tour and Memorial Tournament that takes place each year at Muirfield Village outside Columbus.

betJACK

JACK Casino is a well-known brand in Ohio, with four locations throughout the state. The casino company decided to create their own sportsbook brand instead of partnering with an established operator. Enter betJACK, which will be closely watched and should be quite successful thanks to the high brand recognition of the JACK casinos.

bet365

Bet365 is one of the biggest sportsbooks in the world but only operates in a few states and is barely a blip on the US sports betting radar. Perhaps coming to Ohio will be the kick bet365 needs to increase its profile and arrive in additional states. Either way, bet365 will be in Ohio thanks to its partnership with the Cleveland Guardians MLB team.

Betly/MVGBet

Betly is owned by Delaware North and is available in three states. Delaware North owns Miami Valley Gaming, a large horse track in Ohio. The company created MVGBet as an Ohio-specific sportsbook. We expect MVGBet will be the Ohio version of Betly. 

FOX Bet

The Stars Group was also mentioned as one of the companies to land an early market access deal with PNG. It remains to be seen which physical location will be tied into FOX Bet, but Ohio players can definitely expect to have this iconic app at their disposal at some point in 2023.

Additional Sportsbooks Coming to Ohio

Ohio Sports Betting Legislative History

Legal sports betting discussions in Ohio began in 2018 and continued on until December of 2021.

2018

2019

2020

2021

Banking with Ohio Sportsbooks

Once live, adding money to your Ohio online sports betting account will be really easy. Each site will have numerous options that both they and the state government have vetted. These payment processors will be fast, efficient, and, most importantly – safe.

Expect Ohio sportsbooks to utilize many, if not all, of the following banking options:

Reasons To Bet With a Legal Online Sportsbook

Legal sportsbooks offer a ton of advantages. Here are a few of the main reasons you should be entrusting your action to a regulated book once they arrive in Ohio:

Safety

Legal books are legal. They’re licensed and regulated through the state government and will be monitored closely by state regulators. Because of this regulation, you can trust a regulated online bookmaker the same way that you would trust a mega-casino in Las Vegas with your bet. They are 100% legitimate.

Mobility

Online sportsbooks that come to Ohio will do so with excellent, high-tier mobile betting apps. You can take a fully functional sportsbook with you anywhere in the state. Bet from your car, an airport, at work, or while sitting on your couch. As long as you have your phone and are physically in Ohio, you’re able to place a wager.

Promotions

The online sports betting market in Ohio will be a competitive one. With what looks like it will be room for 30+ betting sites, it could get crowded. This is great for bettors. When there is competition, there is value. Every site will have to bring its A-game, offering lucrative promotions and extras to entice players to stick with them. When sports betting sites square off, you win. There are more bonuses, bonus bets, odds boosts, and other extras to go around.

Ohio’s Betting History

Ohio isn’t the first state that comes to mind when you think of gambling. Before 2009, all forms of gambling were illegal in the state. However, everything changed in November 2009 when Ohio residents voted in favor of a measure to allow four casinos in the state. The plan was to allow one casino in each major city, including Cleveland, Toledo, Columbus, and Cincinnati. It took a few years to make this dream a reality, but on May 14th, 2012, the Jack Cleveland Casino opened its doors, and with it, Ohio had joined the list of states to offer legal gambling within their borders. The other 3 casinos opened shortly after in 2012.

Since 2012, Ohio has approved seven additional racinos, bringing its total number of gambling facilities to eleven. The gambling scene is alive and well in the Buckeye State and has grown into almost a billion-dollar industry annually. Tax revenue is divided between local communities, schools, and statewide funds.

Ohio Sports Betting FAQs

Is sports betting legal in Ohio?

Yes! Mobile and retail sports betting launched in Ohio on January 1, 2023. 

Where can I place a sports bet in Ohio?

Ohio offers both online and retail sports betting. Each of the state’s four casinos and seven racinos (eleven total sites) are eligible to house a retail sportsbook.

In addition, online/mobile wagering is available throughout the state through a wide variety of online operators.

What sports can I bet on?

Ohio’s sports betting legislation does not contain any major restrictions. All major sports leagues, including both professional and collegiate sports, will be available on betting sheets. Wagers on the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Cavaliers, Columbus Crew, and even the Ohio State Buckeyes will be fair game. Football, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, and plenty more – you name it.

What types of bets will I be able to make in Ohio?

Once sports betting goes live in Ohio, you will have a wide array of options at your betting disposal, including:

Which sports teams are eligible for an Ohio sports betting license?

All professional sports teams based in Ohio are eligible to obtain a sports betting license, and most have already announced sportsbook partnerships. This includes all of the following teams/facilities: