Ohio Sports Betting

Ohio Legal Sports Betting Overview

Ohio Sports Betting Summary

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine legalized retail and online sports betting in OH by signing HB 29 on December 22, 2021. Retail and online sportsbooks subsequently launched on January 1, 2023 in the Buckeye State with almost all major operators getting involved in the new market.

Ohio's regulatory body, the Ohio Casino Control Commission, have issued three types of sports betting licenses. The state will allow up to 25 operators to receive a Type A license, which is the only license to cover online wagering. There are also 40 licenses for Type B retail sportsbooks, and Type C licenses will be available to any eligible bar or restaurant. A Type C License allows an establishment to operate betting kiosks.

Read our complete guide to learn about sports betting in Ohio, including the legal status, gambling age, the latest news about licensed sportsbooks, and available operators.

Ohio Online Sportsbook Summary

Ohio sports betting is now live, with a large number of major sportsbooks available to bettors immediately upon market launch. BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings and FanDuel are all operating online now in the Buckeye State, while a host of other brands such as PointsBet, BetRivers and Betfred are available too. Meanwhile, OH retail betting options are expected to spring up in stadiums, bars and restaurants across the state over the coming weeks.

Ohio bettors are now spoilt for choice when it comes to wagering on their favorite teams, and there is no longer any need to travel to neighboring states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, Indiana, and West Virginia to place bets online. While Ohio has now joined the list of states where gambling is legal, there is also still the option for fans to compete in Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) games if they wish.

How Does Ohio Compare to Other States?

• Market Coverage

Ohio sportsbooks are offering markets on major leagues and more niche sports such as MMA and NASCAR. All types of college sports betting are leg, including wagering on in-state teams. This matches regulations in states like Pennsylvania and Michigan, two of the least restrictive in the US.

• Competitive Odds & Prices

Top brands like DraftKings, Caesars, and BetMGM are among those who have launched in Ohio, and they use the same betting odds across dozens of US states. Ohio bettors are therefore getting access to these same competitive betting lines.

• Gambling Revenue

HB 29, which legalized sports betting in Ohio, set the sportsbook tax at 10% of gross gaming revenue. Colorado and West Virginia both also have a 10% tax rate. Ohio has a much larger population, almost 12 million, than Colorado (nearly 7 million) and West Virginia (around 1.75 million). With six major league sports teams, Ohio could collect more than the $20 million and about $12 million brought in by Colorado and West Virginia respectively as of May 2022.

• Betting Taxes

You need to pay state income tax in Ohio, which includes your betting winnings. The tax rate varies from 2.850% to 4.797% for five different income brackets. If you earn less than $21,750, you don’t need to pay income tax.

Alongside this, you must declare all your betting winnings to the IRS. If you make more than $600 in bets, you must fill out a W-2G form. Sportsbooks can also hold up to 25% of your winnings for tax purposes.

According to the Internal Revenue Code, every sportsbook also needs to pay an excise tax of 0.25% of its betting handle. The Internal Revenue Code also requires operators to pay $50 for every employee involved with accepting bets.

How to Place a Bet in Ohio

Online sports betting has arrived in Ohio, and many sports fans are looking to place their first wagers. Follow our step-by-step guide to registering with Ohio sportsbooks below to get signed up and betting:

1. Choose one of the online sportsbooks that has launched in Ohio.

2. Many sportsbooks have mobile apps you can download by visiting the operator’s mobile browser site. Alternatively, you can go to your Apple or Android app store.

3. Enter your full name, address, phone number, and the last four digits of your Social Security number to register an account. You may also need to create a password and answer security questions.

4. Visit the sportsbook’s cashier section and choose a payment method for depositing your money. You can add as much as you want, but ensure you are depositing enough to meet the minimum deposit requirements of the sportsbook’s welcome offer.

5. Look through your sportsbook’s markets and choose a betting line. Add it to your bet slip, where you can select your stake and place the wager.

6. If your bet wins, return to the sportsbook’s cashier section and follow its instructions to make a withdrawal.

7. You must verify your identity before withdrawing to avoid fraud and underage gambling. Send copies of documents like your photo ID and proof of address to the sportsbook.

Who is Not Eligible to Bet in OH?

You must be 21 or older to wager in Ohio. If you are using a mobile device, you must be within the state’s borders and allow your sportsbook app to access your device’s geolocation services to prove it. Legal OH sports betting is not exclusive to Ohio residents - as long as you’re old enough to gamble, you can legally place bets from anywhere in the state.

However, some people are prohibited from betting in Ohio, including:

• Individuals with the professional authority to influence players.

• Athletes, coaches, or members of any professional sports and college teams.

• Referees for professional and college sports leagues.

• Individuals with a stake in a sports team.

• Individuals employed by the leagues that create rules for sports (e.g., NFL, NCAA).

• Individuals employed by organizations with licensing from the Ohio Casino Control Commission, including key staff, owners, directors, and officers.

• Individuals with non-public information about a sports team (e.g., player medical records).

• Individuals that have voluntarily excluded themselves from gambling activities.

• Individuals prohibited from betting on a state or federal level (e.g., due to criminal history).

Latest Ohio Sports Betting Updates

Timeline for Sports Betting in Ohio

• January 1, 2023: Sports betting launches in Ohio.

• October 27, 2022: Caesars, DraftKings and FanDuel offer pre-launch sign-up bonuses and promo codes ahead of the market going live.

• July 14, 2022: The window for sportsbook licensing applications closes. Applicants include Bally Bet, Barstool Sportsbook, betJACK, BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars, DraftKings, Elys, FanDuel, PointsBet, and Tipico Sportsbook.

• June 14, 2022: The application period for most sports betting licenses in Ohio opens. The Ohio Casino Control Commission approves provisional licensing rules.

• June 1, 2022: The Ohio Casino Control Commission announces the sports betting launch date as January 1, 2023.

• April 26, 2022: The NFL's Cleveland Browns and Bally Bet announce a partnership, including plans to build a retail sportsbook at FirstEnergy Stadium pending license approval.

• February 24, 2022: Caesars Sportsbook announces a betting partnership with the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers. Part of this partnership includes plans to build a retail sportsbook at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse Stadium, pending license approval.

• January 3, 2022: Tipico Sportsbook becomes the first sportsbook to sign a partnership to become a stadium sports betting location, signing a long-term agreement - pending license approval - with MLS franchise Columbus Crew.

• December 22, 2021: Ohio Gov. DeWine signs H B29, legalizing sports betting in the state pending regulation by the Ohio Casino Control Commission.

• December 8, 2021: Ohio lawmakers finally pass HB 29, sending sports betting to Gov. DeWine’s desk for approval.

• February 3, 2021: HB 29 is introduced to the Ohio House for the first time, sponsored by Senator Kirk Schuring, among others.

• June 2, 2020: HB 194 is introduced to the Senate. However, the bill loses support as the Senate breaks up for a summer recess.

• May 28, 2020: HB 194 passes the House after feedback from the Finance Committee.

• April 9, 2019: Representative Dave Greenspan introduces HB 194, a bill to legalize sports betting, to the House.

• May 14, 2018: The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) is ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. The ruling gives individual states the right to legislate sports betting.

Ohio Sports Betting Background

Ohio has a long history with horse racing betting, with pari-mutuel wagering launching in 1933. There are seven active racetracks in the state. In 2009, a referendum saw Ohio residents vote in favor of building casinos in the state, with 11 opening by 2014.

Following the US Supreme Court striking down PASPA, Ohio tried to pass several sports betting bills before the successful HB 29, with HB 194 in 2019-2020 the closest attempt to success. Sponsored by Rep. Greenspan, the bill passed the House but lost support following the summer recess.

Future of Ohio Sports Betting

The future is bright for sports bettors in Ohio after the market launched on January 1, 2023. People in OH are now able to gamble online or in-person where retail options are available, and major brands, including Barstool Sportsbook, BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel, are all operating in the Buckeye State.

The Ohio Casino Commission holds a maximum of 25 Type A license, so there is scope for more sportsbook applications in the future. Type A licenses are awarded to retail locations, which can then partner with operators to provide online sportsbooks. Initially, all Type A license holders are permitted one online sportsbook but may be able to apply for a second in the future.

Meanwhile, Type B licenses are expected to be awarded to retail sports betting locations over the coming weeks as more venues look take advantage of the new legislation.

Ohio Sports Betting Locations

10 casinos in Ohio signalled their intent to open retail sportsbooks after sports betting was legalized in 2021. Following the market launch on January 1, 2023, bettors now have the opportunity to place wagers in person at these venues.

Hollywood Casino Columbus

• Address: 200 Georgesville Road, Columbus, OH 43228

• Website: https://www.hollywoodcolumbus.com/

• Phone Number: (614) 308-3333

• Sportsbook Operator: Barstool Sportsbook

Styled as a Las Vegas casino in Ohio, Hollywood Casino Columbus is open 24/7. It features seven restaurants, one of which is a sports bar where you can watch your favorite teams in action. A Barstool Sportsbook has been built within the sports bar (the bookmaker’s owner, Penn National Gaming, runs the casino) and bets are now being taken. Elsewhere, you can enjoy 800 progressive slots, 65 table games, and 18 video poker games at the venue. There is also a dedicated poker room. The casino has six different restaurants and also offers entertainment and events.

Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati

• Address: 1000 Broadway Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

• Website: https://www.hardrockcasinocincinnati.com/

• Phone Number: (513) 250-3150

• Sportsbook Operator: Hard Rock Sportsbook

Across two stories, Hard Rock Casino has 100,000 square feet of gambling space. With casino owners Hard Rock International operating an online sportsbook, it was inevitable that the casino would feature a Hard Rock Sportsbook come January 1, 2023. The sportsbook is open for business, while you can also enjoy 85 table games, 2,000 slot machines, and 31 poker tables across the rest of the venue. Alongside this, the casino offers a range of cuisine across all four restaurants across from the Hard Rock Center Bar. The bar hosts a variety of events, including concerts and comedy acts.

Jack Cleveland Casino

• Address: 100 Public Square, Cleveland, OH 44113

• Website: https://www.jackentertainment.com/cleveland/

• Phone Number: (216) 297-4777

• Sportsbook Operator: betJACK

Jack Cleveland Casino is located at the heart of Cleveland City. Partnering with UK-based Kambi Sports, Jack Entertainment (the entertainment operator of Jack Cleveland Casino) launched its own online sportsbook, betJACK, in January 2023. betJACK is providing retail betting at JACK Thistledown Racino in North Randall as well as the casino’s sportsbook in Cleveland. The casino currently employs more than 1,600 team members to operate its near 2,000 slot machines, 89 table games, large poker room, and four restaurants. The casino is partnered with three downtown hotels and over a dozen local restaurants, which you can visit and receive special discounts if you are a ClubJACK member.

Other Ohio Land-Based Casinos

Ohio Lottery Locations

Although the Ohio Casino Commission officially manages sports betting in Ohio, the Ohio Lottery has begun licensing sports betting kiosks in bars and restaurants around Ohio. Type C licenses will only be available for establishments in Ohio with Class D1 (beer only), Class D2 (wine and mixed drinks only), or Class D5 (full bar) liquor permits.

There are more than 2,000 of these locations in Ohio. As of June 10, 2022, 556 establishments applied for this license.

Off-Track and Stadium Betting Locations

Despite being home to seven horse racing tracks, there is only one off-track betting (OTB) location in Ohio. The Ohio State Racing Commission oversees this. However, you can also place pari-mutuel wagers at every racetrack.

Stadiums in Ohio can apply for a Type B license to operate a retail sportsbook. The Ohio Casino Commission have already licensed a number of operators including Caesars at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse after the brand secured a partnership with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Bally Bet have a similar agreement with the Cleveland Browns while Tipico have opened a retail sportsbook at Columbus Crew's Lower.com stadium.

Teams to Bet on in Ohio

• Pro Sports

Cincinnati Bengals: Winning its first NFL playoff game in 32 years to get to the 2022 Super Bowl, the Cincinnati Bengals play at the Paul Brown Stadium to crowds as large as 66,000. This is an exciting time for the team that won the AFC Conference in 2021, led by star quarterback Joe Burrow and promising rookies such as wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase.

Cleveland Browns: After temporarily being suspended when the owner moved the NFL franchise to Baltimore, the Cleveland Browns have been in continuous operation since 1999. Playing to average attendances of 67,000 at the FirstEnergy Stadium, the team has struggled in the last 23 years with just a .302 record from 1999-2019. The Browns did, however, make it to the playoffs in 2020 under head coach Kevin Stefanski.

Cleveland Cavaliers: Launching in 1970 as an expansion franchise, the Cleveland Cavaliers have been hugely successful in the last decade. Superstar LeBron James notably led a comeback from a 3-1 deficit against the Golden State Warriors to win the NBA championship in 2016. Playing at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, the team qualified for the NBA Play-Offs in 2021/22, marking the first time a Cavs team has done so without James since 1998.

Cincinnati Reds: As a five-time World Series and nine-time NL Pennant winner, MLB franchise the Cincinnati Reds will soon celebrate their 142nd birthday. Famous for the 'Big Red Machine' of the '70s, the Reds play from the Great American Ball Park, which hosted 1.4 million fans across the 80 home games in 2019.

Cleveland Guardians: The Cleveland Guardians were founded as the Grand Rapids Rippers in 1894. From 1915 to 2021, the MLB franchise was known as the Cleveland Indians. The Guardians hold the unenviable record for the longest time without winning the World Series, a run stretching back to 1948. Competing in the American League, the team plays at Progressive Field with an average attendance of 21,000.

Columbus Blue Jackets: The Columbus Blue Jackets were founded as an NHL expansion franchise in 2000 andare named after the famous blue jackets of the Union in the American Civil War. Since 2007, the Blue Jackets have famously brought a replica of a Napoleonic Cannon to home games at the Nationwide Arena. Firing after every start, goal, and win, the cannon fired 164 times in its first season.

• College Sports

Akron Zips: The University of Akron Zips are famous for the NCAA Division I National Championship-winning soccer team in 2010, led by head coach Caleb Porter, who now coaches MLS team the Portland Timbers. The Zips also have successful basketball, football, and baseball teams.

Bowling Green Falcons: Contesting major rivals Toledo Rockets in the Battle of I-75, the Bowling Green State University Falcons have several historic sports teams. The football team holds the second most MAC Conference Championships in history, the men's basketball team has 10 MAC titles, and the women's basketball team has 13. The hockey team is also fiercely competitive, holding seven CCHA titles.

Cincinnati Bearcats: The pride of the University of Cincinnati Bearcats is the UC Baseball Stadium, which was voted the best in the Big East Conference when it opened. The school also has a history of producing stars like baseball Hall of Famers Sandy Koufax and Miller Huggins.

Cleveland State Vikings: Basketball and soccer are the flagship programs for the Cleveland State University Vikings, with the women's and men's basketball teams playing at the 13,000-seater Wolstein Center arena. The team has been playing in green and white since its creation in 1931.

Dayton Flyers: Named after local brothers Orville and Wilbur Wright, who invented the world’s first airplane, the University of Dayton Flyers can boast one of the best-supported teams in the US. The men's basketball team regularly ranks in the top 25 best-supported college teams in the country. The football team produced the first 'Mr. Irrelevant', the last pick of the NFL draft, Kelvin Kirk.

Kent State Golden Flashes: Playing in navy blue and gold, the Kent State University Flashes basketball team holds the record for the most twenty-win league seasons with 10. The school’s baseball team boasts 15 MAC regular-season titles and a football team that won the Frisco Bowl in 2019.

Miami Redhawks: Based in Oxford, Ohio, the Miami University Redhawks disbanded its No. 1 national ranking ice hockey team in 2013, with basketball, football, and baseball programs ongoing. The Redhawks are known as the 'Cradle of Coaches', having produced many notable coaches, including John Pont, Ara Parseghian, Woody Hayes, Bo Schembechler, Weeb Ewbank, Jim Tressel, and Terry Hoeppner.

Ohio Bobcats: With attendance at Peden Stadium for football games reaching 25,000 for a university with just 18,000 active students, the Ohio University Bobcats are well-supported. The Bobcats are known for the Marching 110 marching band that has played at events such as Bill Clinton's Inauguration Parade.

Ohio State Buckeyes: The Ohio State University Buckeyes are one of only seven teams to have won an NCAA National Championship in baseball, basketball, and football. The team boasts alumni such as Jesse Owens, Archie Griffin, and Hall of Fame coaches Paul Brown, Fred Taylor, and Woody Hayes.

Toledo Rockets: Facing off against the Bowling Green Falcons in the Battle of I-75, the University of Toledo Rockets play in midnight blue and gold. The football team plays at the 75-year-old Glass Bowl stadium.

Wright State Raiders: The Wright State University Raiders’ famous men's basketball team has gained a reputation as a giant slayer, frequently beating top 25 opposition in the NCAA Tournament. Alongside this, as of 2022, its baseball team had won 12 conference tournament championships.

Xavier Musketeers: Playing in navy blue, white, and gray, the Xavier University Musketeers basketball team has qualified for 16 consecutive NCAA Tournaments. Its baseball program also has several notable alumni, including Jim Bunning, the only Hall of Famer ever elected to the US Senate.

Youngstown State Penguins: Named lovingly by fans observing players flapping arm movements to stay warm in the cold, the Youngstown State University Penguins’ football team won 4 national championships in the late 90s. However, its women's basketball team is infamous for 12 straight seasons without a winning record between 2000 and 2012.

• Women’s Sports

There are no professional women's teams in Ohio. However, almost every college program has women's varsity teams that compete across several sports, with basketball most prominent in Ohio. For example, the Kent State Golden Flashes women’s basketball team has won six regular-season MAC titles and appeared in the NCAA Tournament five times.

Ohio Responsible Gambling Resources

• Ohio for Responsible Gambling – Brings together four Ohio state departments to provide advice on treating problem gambling, gambling addiction warning signs, and resources to find treatment. (800) 589-9966

• GamblingHelpOhio – Offers a local database of responsible gambling resources.

• Gamblers Anonymous – Provides a complete recovery program from gambling addiction, including meetings and mentoring. (855) 222-5542

• Ohio Lottery Commission Play Responsibly Initiative – Links to further resources, alongside providing information about warning signs and problem gambling. (216) 774-5747

Like other states, Ohio has a state-wide self-exclusion program, the Ohio Voluntary Exclusion Program. Bettors struggling with problem gambling can ban themselves from Ohio casinos for a set amount of time, potentially the rest of their life. To enroll in this program, you must complete a 'Request for Voluntary Exclusion' form while in the presence of a trained staff member at an Ohio casino. You can also make alternative arrangements with the Ohio Casino Control Commission or Lottery Commission.

As in other legal betting states in the US, Ohio online sportsbooks are expected to proactively introduce responsible gambling measures such as tools to manage time limits and bankrolls.

Who Oversees Sports Betting in Ohio?

The Ohio Casino Control Commission is the regulatory body responsible for sports betting in the Buckeye State. The Commission has drafted the rules and regulations for the fledgling betting industry. This includes setting the licensing requirements and deciding which sports betting sites can offer. The commission also decided which applicants for the Type A online sports betting licenses and Type B retail sportsbook licenses will be accepted. Seven commissioners, chosen by the Ohio Governor with advice from the Senate, headed up the commission.

In addition, Type C licenses for betting kiosks are overseen by the Ohio Lottery Commission. The Ohio Lottery Commission will follow the Ohio Casino Control Commission’s rules when implementing this type of betting across the state.