Ohio, with its vibrant sports culture and large population, has become an attractive market for legal sports betting. The journey to legalize sports betting in Ohio was a long one, but it finally became a reality with the passing of H.B. 29 by both the House and Senate in late 2021. Governor Mike DeWine signed the bill into law shortly after, officially making sports betting legal in Ohio. The exact catalyst for breaking the legislative logjam remains a mystery, as the debates and negotiations took place behind closed doors.
Now that the past is behind us, it’s time to look to the future. Starting on January 1, 2023, legal sports betting will be available in Ohio.
OH sports betting license types
Simply passing legislation to legalize sports betting is just the first step. The next stage involves the rulemaking and regulatory actions, which often proceed at a slow pace. Some states prioritize the speedy licensing of sportsbooks, like Arizona, while others, such as Ohio, take a more diligent approach to ensure that all the necessary details are in place before granting final approval to online and retail sportsbook operators.
To delve deeper into what Ohio can expect with the arrival of sports betting on January 1, 2023, let’s explore the different types of licenses up for grabs.
Type A licenses
Up to 25 Type A licenses are authorized, specifically for the state’s eight professional sports teams, the PGA Tour, NASCAR, and Ohio’s 11 existing casinos. Each license allows the holder to partner with up to two sportsbooks, acting as their online “skin.” For instance, the Cincinnati Bengals were the first professional sports team in Ohio to apply for a Type A License, which, if approved, will allow them to partner with a commercial operator(s) and operate online within the state. It is expected that most, if not all, of Ohio’s qualifying professional sports entities and casinos will eventually apply for a license and form partnerships with major sportsbook operators.
Type B licenses
Ohio will also grant up to 40 Type B licenses for retail sportsbooks. This means that there could be numerous retail sportsbooks across the state, including establishments like Scioto Downs Racino, which will need to apply for both Type A and Type B licenses if they want to offer both retail and online sports betting.
Type C licenses
Type C licenses bring an interesting twist to the sports betting landscape in Ohio. Any retail establishment in the state with a liquor license, which includes thousands of establishments, can apply for a Type C license. This would enable them to install a sports betting kiosk. Managed by the state lottery, these kiosks would offer simple bet types like spread, over/under, and moneyline wagers. This approach could have a significant impact on the popularity of sports betting in Ohio, as it provides an alternative for those who may not want to open and fund an online account with one of the state’s mobile sportsbooks.
Additional details on Ohio sports betting
Here are some additional details about sports betting in Ohio:
- The tax rate is set at a competitive 10%, benefiting bettors and maximizing tax revenue generated by the betting handle in the state. A lower tax rate fosters more competition, resulting in better odds for bettors and increased revenues for the state government.
- Ohio authorizes wagering on esports, which could become more popular as video games continue to grow in popularity.
- Importantly, wagering on in-state college teams is allowed. Ohioans can continue to bet on their beloved Buckeyes without any major restrictions on the types of wagers offered by sportsbooks in the state.
- All licensed sportsbooks will go live on the same day to ensure fairness and avoid favoring one over another. This strategy has been successfully implemented in other states like New York, Michigan, and Arizona.
- All tax revenue generated from sports betting in Ohio will be allocated to education and youth sports programs. The state anticipates generating $12 million or more in tax revenue annually, contributing to the improvement of schools and funding for youth sports initiatives.
Professional sports team partnerships in Ohio
As Ohio’s sports betting landscape continues to develop, partnerships between various sportsbook brands and the state’s professional teams have already started to emerge. Let’s take a closer look at some of these partnerships:
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns, one of the NFL franchises based in Ohio, announced a sports betting partnership with Bally Interactive on April 26, 2022. This long-term agreement includes the establishment of a Bally Bet-branded lounge at FirstEnergy Stadium and market access for launching the mobile Bally Bet Sportsbook app once Ohio goes live on January 1, 2023.
Cincinnati Bengals
Fresh off a Super Bowl appearance and boasting exciting young players like Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, the Cincinnati Bengals are sure to attract numerous sportsbook brands. The Bengals became the first professional sports franchise in Ohio to submit its application for a Type A License on July 8, 2022. They have partnered with Betfred, making the UK bookmaker their official sports betting partner.
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds have entered into partnerships with Underdog Sports, BetMGM Sportsbook, and WynnBET (note: WynnBET has ceased operations as of August 11th). Underdog Sports will gain market access for online sports betting, enhancing their popular DFS platform. BetMGM Sportsbook’s partnership includes the launch of a retail sportsbook at Great American Ballpark, making it BetMGM’s second location in an MLB park.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers, an up-and-coming NBA franchise, made Caesars Sportsbook their official sports betting partner on February 24, 2022. Future plans with Caesars include the opening of an in-house retail sportsbook at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in 2023. The Cavaliers have also formed partnerships with Betway and FanDuel.
Cleveland Guardians
The Guardians have agreed to partnerships with Fanatics Sportsbook and bet365 Sportsbook. The former will open a retail sports betting location in Progressive One Field starting in the 2023 MLB season. Fanatics, a prominent name in sports merchandising, is expanding into the sports betting industry.
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets, Ohio’s professional hockey team, have partnered with Fanatics Sportsbook and Prophet Exchange. Fanatics will have both retail and online sports betting market access in Ohio, while Prophet Exchange offers unconventional sports betting allowing users to bet against each other.
Columbus Crew
The Columbus Crew, one of the original Major League Soccer teams, has formed a long-term partnership with sportsbook operator Tipico. This agreement grants Tipico market access and certain entitlement rights within Lower.com Field, the team’s home stadium.
PGA Tour
The PGA Tour, through its Memorial Tournament, has partnered with betPARX, the mobile sports betting and casino arm of Parx Casino. The deal includes market access for betPARX in Ohio, as well as the brand becoming an Official Betting Operator of the PGA Tour.
Hall of Fame Village
Hall of Fame Village, located around the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, has joined forces with Betr Sportsbook. Betr is a micro-betting platform created by YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. The collaboration allows Betr to launch its app and establish market access in Ohio. Additionally, Rush Street Interactive and Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company have a partnership, with Rush Street operating a sports-betting location at Hall of Fame Village.
With all these exciting partnerships between sportsbook brands and Ohio’s professional teams, the sports betting experience in the state is set to be both thrilling and diverse. Ohioans can look forward to a wide range of options and opportunities when it comes to betting on their favorite teams and sports.
Please remember, this is a general informational article about sports betting in Ohio. It is crucial to refer to official sources and consult with legal experts for the most accurate and up-to-date information specific to your situation and location.
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