Ohio is one of the most popular states for sports betting. The Buckeye State has a rich history of gambling. Therefore, it’s not surprising that it ranks in the top states in terms of revenue generated by online gambling.

Are sports betting legal in Ohio? Which are the best sportsbooks available for Ohio residents? Learn more about betting on sports online in Ohio below.

Can I legally bet on sports online in Ohio?

Yes. The state of Ohio has been slow to legalize sports betting. However, Buckeye State is now in a position to launch sportsbooks if one or more operators want to open up shop there.

A sports betting bill, HB 29, passed both chambers of the Ohio Legislature in December 2021 and was signed on Dec. 31, 2021. The law allows for wagering at brick-and-mortar casinos and racinos (which are horse racing tracks with slot machines) and online sites regulated by the state.

Sports betting is legal for residents of Ohio who are at least 21 years old and physically located within the state’s borders. Online gambling websites in the US must be licensed by the state lottery commission and pay taxes on revenue earned from their operations.

All operators must also provide information regarding their business activities to the commission to be monitored for compliance with regulations set forth by law.

Sports betting sites expected in OH

Below is a look at popular sports betting sites that could operate in Ohio:

DraftKings Ohio

DraftKings Sportsbook is a sports betting site operating for more than five years. It is a product of DraftKings, Inc. The company offers daily fantasy sports contests and other forms of online gaming. The US betting mobile app allows users to download it on their smartphone or tablet and place bets while they are on the go. They can also bet using their desktop computer or laptop.

The DraftKings Sportsbook app uses Google Play and the Apple App Store to allow users to download it directly from their devices. The app is available for Android and iOS devices, including iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch models. DraftKings Sportsbook will offer a full suite of sports betting options, including NFL and NBA games and college football, baseball, and basketball. Like most other online sportsbooks in America, DraftKings will also offer parlay betting options where players can select multiple odds together for a single bet.

The company plans to offer more than 100 games every week. This includes popular events like March Madness college basketball and Super Bowl LIV. They are also offering several promotions, including signup bonuses and cashback offers which should help attract new customers to their site.

FanDuel Ohio

FanDuel Sportsbook is one of the most popular sports betting sites globally, with more than 250,000 new signups each month. The site is licensed and regulated and it operates in several other states, including Pennsylvania. New York and possibly Ohio. The FanDuel Sportsbook offers a massive amount of betting options from over 50 different professional sports leagues around the globe, including MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, and NCAA college football and basketball games.

The site features a wide range of betting options, including point spreads, money lines, and future bets on individual games. FanDuel also offers in-play betting, which allows players to place wagers on various sporting events while they are taking place. In addition to traditional sports betting, FanDuel also offers online poker games that include Texas Hold’em, Omaha Hi-Lo, and Seven Card Stud. Many casino games such as blackjack, craps, and roulette are available at the FanDuel Sportsbook online casino area.

BetMGM Ohio

BetMGM Sportsbook is the online betting site that will soon seek approval to operate in Ohio. MGM Resorts own the sportsbook International owns and operates several casinos in Ohio. This includes the famous Horseshoe Casino Cleveland. BetMGM Sportsbook is expected to launch soon and will feature a wide array of betting options for all sports fans. BetMGM Sportsbook is a great option for those who love betting on their favorite teams and players. They have over 50+ years of experience providing fair odds to their customers. Moreover, you can rest assured that you are getting the best value possible when you choose this site as your go-to sportsbook.

The first thing that stands out about BetMGM Sportsbook is its ease of use and simplicity. They have kept things simple with just one page of options for each sport that are easy to navigate. Plus, they offer various payment options, including Visa, MasterCard, and Bitcoin.

Barstool Ohio

The Barstool Sportsbook Ohio site expects to be up and running in Ohio soon. The Barstool Sports site has been a popular destination for sports fans looking to place their bets, with the website offering a wide array of wagers on all major sports leagues. The site first launched in 2018 and quickly became one of the most popular online sports betting sites globally.

Barstool Sportsbook Ohio will allow people from all over the United States to place wagers on their favorite teams and players and enjoy other unique features like live betting events and more. The site will also offer daily fantasy sports games and other fun options for those looking for more than just traditional betting action.

The site has been around for a few years and has proven to be a reputable online gambling operator. One thing to note about this site is that it is based in Curacao, which means you will have to pay taxes on your winnings if you live in the United States. The good news is that they offer some of the best odds on popular sporting events such as football and basketball.

Caesars Ohio

Caesars Entertainment is expected to be among the first online sports betting operator to launch in Ohio. The company seeks a casino license for its Horseshoe Cleveland casino and plans to open an online sportsbook there in 2020, according to media reports. The website says it plans to offer “a broad range” of sports betting options when its mobile app launches next year. It will allow players to place wagers on major U.S. sporting events such as the Super Bowl, NBA Finals, and Stanley Cup Playoffs, and international competitions like Wimbledon tennis and English Premier League soccer matches.

The site also plans to offer live betting features that allow players to bet on games while they’re happening using in-play odds. It can frequently change during an event based on what happens during play (such as whether a player makes a 3-pointer or commits).

Hard Rock Ohio

Hard Rock Sportsbook Ohio is expected to be the first fully operational sports betting site in Ohio. The Hard Rock Casino sportsbook will be open soon in Ohio. It features a wide variety of betting options, including live betting on all major US and international sporting events, including American football, basketball, baseball; soccer leagues; golf; boxing; and horse racing. The casino also offers in-play betting (where you can place wagers on games that are already underway) and proposition bets (such as “Will there be a perfect game today?”).

Hard Rock Sportsbook Ohio accepts most major credit cards and cash or check payments at the cage. There are no minimum or maximum limits on deposits or withdrawals.

Jack Entertainment Ohio

Ohio is about to become the newest state to legalize sports betting, and Jack Entertainment is ready for it. The company has been preparing to launch its first legal sportsbooks when it’s allowed, which will be in late 2022. It already has plans for seven locations in Ohio, including Cleveland and Cincinnati.

In addition to the two cities, Jack Entertainment will also open sites in Columbus, Toledo, and Dayton. The company expects to have its online sportsbook up and running once allowed by law. The online betting site will also have a mobile app that allows customers to wager on their mobile devices.

A timeline of online sports betting in OH

The following is a brief overview of the current legal status of sports betting in Ohio. We will look at the history, both in terms of legislation and case law, and what it means for bettors today.

  • May 18, 2022 — The launch date for Ohio sportsbooks will be announced on June 1. Still, it should not be much earlier than the mandatory Jan. 1 start date, a spokesperson confirmed, citing around 3,000 expected applications.
  • June 15, 2022 — The Ohio Gaming Commission is expected to begin accepting applications for licenses from operators and agents. It will also make available guidance on how to apply.
  • July 1-31, 2022 — Applicants have until midnight on July 31 to submit their application materials and the $10,000 application fee.
  • Aug. 1-31 — The gaming commission will review applications and award licenses by midnight on Aug. 31 after hearings are held on Aug. 20-22.
  • Sept. 1-Dec. 31 — Operators must be ready for launch by midnight on Dec. 31 (or earlier if possible).

Live venues to bet on sports in Ohio

There are plenty of places to bet on sports in Ohio. Here are some of the best:

  • Bettor’s Club – Founded in 1983, Bettor’s Club is one of the oldest sportsbooks in the state. It has a brick-and-mortar casino in Dayton and an online sportsbook. Bettor offers odds on all major U.S. and international sports and horse racing, boxing, and more.
  • Horseshoe Casino Cleveland – The Horseshoe Casino Cleveland has several bookmakers offering odds on all major sporting events, including the Super Bowl, World Series, and college football. The casino also offers poker, bingo, slot machines, and live music performances at its attached Hard Rock Cafe.
  • Jack Casino Cincinnati – Jack Casino Cincinnati is located near Great American Ball Park and Paul Brown Stadium. It features over 1,000 slots, more than 50 table games, and a sportsbook with multiple screens showing live action worldwide.
  • The Mirage Hotel & Casino – Betting options are limited here, but they have one bookmaker inside that offers odds on all major sporting events. There are also televisions throughout the casino, so you can watch games while placing your wagers.
  • Harrah’s Cleveland Casino – Located in downtown Cleveland, this is one of the larger casinos in the state. In addition to slots and table games, it also features a poker room and racebook with live betting on horse racing.
  • Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park – This casino/racino facility near Akron offers up lots of slots and table games and live betting on horse racing and dog racing (they have a greyhound track).

The latest news on online sports betting in OH

As of January 1st, 2023, residents of Ohio will be able to bet on sports online. The projected launch date for Ohio sports betting is January 1, 2023, after lawmakers signed bill HB29 before Christmas, with sports betting now officially legal in the state following this.

This means that it’s now possible for Ohioans to place wagers on their favorite team’s matches anywhere. The state government previously announced that it would be launching a newly-created Division of Gaming Oversight to oversee online gambling regulation in the state.

HB29 will also legalize casino gambling at four racetracks across Ohio after it amended the bill to include its horse racing industry. This move will allow operators like Penn National Gaming Inc and Hollywood Casino Columbus to expand their operations by building new casinos in Cincinnati and Cleveland.

FAQ

What are the online legal sports betting age in OH?

In Ohio, the legal age for gambling is 18. The state's laws on gambling are similar to those of other states. You must be at least 21 years old to place wagers on horse races and dog races.

Who oversees online sports betting in Ohio?

The Ohio Casino Control Commission is the state's regulatory body for all casino gaming and gambling. The commission oversees all aspects of legalized gambling, including sports betting.

Do sports betting sites in Ohio need a license?

The answer to this question is yes. Sports betting sites in Ohio are required to obtain a license from the Ohio Lottery Commission to operate legally. The same is true for any other state where sports betting is legal.