Digital platforms and 12 retail outlets in Ohio gain authorization to commence operations on Sunday
Starting this Sunday, sports enthusiasts in Ohio will have the opportunity to legally place bets on their favourite teams, thanks to the launch of various sports betting platforms.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission has granted final regulatory approval to 16 digital sports betting platforms to launch, marking a significant milestone in the state's gambling landscape. Among these are well-known names like FanDuel, Caesars, BetMGM, and DraftKings.
Brick-and-Mortar Sportsbooks to Open
A total of 12 physical locations are set to open, with some of the most anticipated being Belterra Park (FanDuel), FC Cincinnati at Taft's Ale House (Superbook), Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati (Hard Rock Digital), Hollywood Casino Columbus (Barstool Sportsbook), and Hollywood Casino Toledo (Barstool Sportsbook).
Great American Ballpark and Taft's Ale House will offer sports betting in partnership with FC Cincinnati, marking the first involvement of an MLS team on a launch day.
Digital Platforms Going Live
Many operators plan to go live at 12:01 a.m. on New Year's Day or soon afterward. Caesars Entertainment has announced that the Caesars Sportsbook platform will be available for download and use starting Jan. 1, 2023, offering a deposit match up to $1,100 with the promo code HANDLEMATCH.
MGM will open its second retail book at a ballfield and one at Northfield Park. PENN Entertainment plans to open four Barstool Sportsbook-branded locations.
Online-Only Platforms
Some platforms, like bet365 and Betr, will only be available online and have no specified physical retail partners. DraftKings also plans to launch online-only, with no specific physical location in Ohio.
Bonus Offers
Consumers will be able to take advantage of various bonus offers. For instance, betJACK offers bet $100, get $100 in bonus bets every day for 10 days, available on iOS and Android. Caesars Sportsbook also offers $1,000 in bonus bets with no promo code required.
Kiosks and Grocery Chains
The Ohio law allows for retail locations for sports betting, including casinos, racetracks, professional sports venues, bars and restaurants, and more, as well as lottery partners offering kiosks in various locations. The Giant Eagle and Kroger grocery chains have plans for kiosks, but they will not be operating New Year's Day.
Sports You Can Bet On
Starting Sunday, consumers will be able to legally wager on the Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, and various other sports options.
Platforms Launching Later
Additional sportsbooks, such as betPARX, Bally Bet, Fanatics Sportsbook, ESPN BET, Prime Sportsbook, Out the Gate, and Underdog, will launch later or have TBD launch dates.
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Underdog, along with other platforms like betPARX, Bally Bet, Fanatics Sportsbook, ESPN BET, Prime Sportsbook, Out the Gate, and various online-only platforms such as bet365 and Betr, will join the sports-betting scene later or have undetermined launch dates in Ohio.
For those who prefer to wager on the major sports like football, consumers can legally place bets on teams such as the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals, as well as various other sports options starting this Sunday.
On New Year's Day, Caesars Entertainment will make their Caesars Sportsbook platform available for download and use, offering a deposit match up to $1,100 with the promo code HANDLEMATCH. This follows the Ohio Casino Control Commission's final regulatory approval, which has paved the way for 16 digital sports betting platforms to launch, including well-known names like FanDuel, Caesars, BetMGM, and DraftKings.
