State of Play in Ohio
Sports Betting in Ohio
Gov. Mike DeWine signed off on House Bill 29 on Dec. 22, 2021, and that measure officially makes sports betting legal in the Buckeye State.
The bill calls for up to 25 online sports betting (Class A) licenses, with priority applications going to Ohio casinos and professional sports franchises. Under certain market conditions, approved Class A operators could launch a second mobile sports betting skin.
Up to 42 retail sports betting (Class B) licenses are up for grabs as well, which allow land-based sportsbooks to operate at casinos. Class C licenses permit small businesses and lottery retailers to install self-service sports betting kiosks.
Sportsbooks in Ohio
Q&A
- How old do you have to be to bet online in Ohio? 21. The minimum age to place a legal sports bet in Ohio is 21. For DFS sites, the legal minimum age is 18.
- Does DraftKings offer fantasy sports games in Ohio? Yes, DraftKings has legal daily fantasy sports offerings in the state of Ohio. Ohio is a state that has made this industry legal, and DraftKings holds a valid license.
- Is FanDuel offering an online casino app in Ohio? No. Online casino gaming is not yet legal in the state of Ohio, and therefore FanDuel Casino will not accept players from the state. Even though FanDuel is most known for DFS and sports betting options, the company also offers an online casino in some states in the US.
- Can I bet anonymously at Ohio legal betting sites? No. Regardless of what type of online betting site that, you want to use, it is a requirement that you create an account. Ohio online betting sites will verify your identity to ensure that it is legal for you to bet, and you must always place all of the wagers under that account.
- How do I get paid when I win at Ohio legal betting sites? You get paid through the site on which you have chosen to do your legal online betting. Each site has a banking system associated with the site, and that is where you will request to receive your winnings.
Methodology
Ohio Online Betting
Ohio legalized online sports betting in the final weeks of 2021. A sports betting bill passed through the State House and Senate in December 2021, and Gov. Mike DeWine put his signature of approval on the sports betting legislation on Dec. 22.
With sports betting legal in Ohio, sports wagering joins daily fantasy sports sites as legal online gambling options in the Buckeye State.
This review offers an overview of the best Ohio sports betting apps on the way to the Buckeye State. Read on for an Ohio sports betting FAQ, updates on betting bonuses, and more.
Top Sports Betting Sites in Ohio
Projected Launch Date For The Ohio Sports Betting Market
Ohio has an official launch date of January 1, 2023. Regulators have indicated that all approved operators will have the opportunity to go live at the stroke of midnight, giving Ohio residents two reasons to stay up for the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop.
Ohio could quickly emerge as one of the top sports betting markets in the U.S. in 2023.
DraftKings Ohio $200 Pre-Launch Offer
BetMGM Ohio $200 Pre-Launch Offer
FanDuel Sportsbook Ohio $200 Pre-Launch Offer
PointsBet Ohio Pre-Launch Offer
Ohio Sports Betting Law
Ohio legalized online sports betting in the final weeks of 2021. A long-debated sports betting bill passed the State House and Senate in December 2021, and Gov. Mike DeWine put his signature of approval on the measure on December 22.
Sports betting joins daily fantasy sports sites as legal online gambling options in the Buckeye State. Even though the sports betting debate was contentious, Ohio lawmakers passed a reasonable bill allowing dozens of online sports betting platforms and setting the stage for a healthy retail betting industry.
Other forms of online gambling, such as online casinos or poker sites, aren’t approved in Ohio now.
Read on for answers to Ohio sports betting FAQs, and check back with the page for the latest Ohio sports betting app launch updates.
Which Ohio Betting Apps Will Launch?
Professional sports teams, venues, events, and land-based casinos in the state, can partner with sportsbook brands to launch online sports betting apps in Ohio. Up to 25 online sportsbooks can operate in the state per the terms of the Ohio sports betting bill.
Expect virtually every top brand in the industry to apply for an Ohio sports betting license.
The following list has submitted applications to the Ohio Casino Control Commission. Each operator still needs official approval, and approval doesn’t mean they will be authorized to launch on January 1, 2023.
- PlayUp Interactive in partnership with JACK Cleveland Casino
- Instabet, in partnership with HOF Village (Pro Football Hall of Fame)
- Betfred Sports, in partnership with Cincinnati Bengals
- BetMGM, in partnership with MGM Northfield Park
- William Hill (Caesars Sportsbook), in partnership with Scioto Downs
- Hard Rock Digital, in partnership with Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati
- Bally Bet, in partnership with Cleveland Browns
- Fanatics, in partnership with Columbus Blue Jackets
- Tipico, in partnership with Crew SC
- Parx Interactive, in partnership with Muirfield Village Golf Club
- Underdog Sports Wagering, in partnership with Cincinnati Reds
- Fubo Gaming, in partnership with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Barstool Sportsbook (Penn National Gaming), in partnership with Hollywood Casino Columbus
- Bet365, in partnership with Cleveland Guardians
- DraftKings, in partnership with Hollywood Casino Toledo
- PointsBet, in partnership with Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley
- SuperBook, in partnership with FC Cincinnati
- Out the Gate, in partnership with SPIRE Institute
- FanDuel, in partnership with Belterra Park
- WynnBet, in partnership with JACK Thistledown Racino
- BetRivers, in partnership with Hollywood Casino Columbus
- Digital Gaming Corp, in partnership with Belterra Park
- Prophet Exchange, in partnership with Columbus Blue Jackets
- MaximBet, in partnership with JACK Cleveland Casino
Upcoming Ohio Sports Betting Sites
DraftKings Ohio
Among the most popular sportsbook brands in the U.S., DraftKings Sportsbook will enter the Ohio market in partnership with Hollywood Casino Toldeo. When DraftKings Sportsbook Ohio launches, players with an already existing DraftKings DFS account can use those credentials to set up a sports betting account.
$200 In Free Bets On Launch Of DraftKings OH
FanDuel Ohio
Much like DraftKings, FanDuel began as a daily fantasy sports app. Since expanding into sports betting, the FanDuel brand has emerged as the most popular online sportsbook in the U.S.
$100 In Free Bets On Launch Of FanDuel OH
BetMGM Ohio
Another major player among the U.S. mobile betting apps, BetMGM Sportsbook functions as the official sports betting product of MGM Resorts. Look for BetMGM to launch an online sportsbook in Ohio, as well as a retail sportsbook at MGM Northfield Park.
BetMGM Ohio $200 Pre-Launch Offer
Caesars Sportsbook Ohio
Caesars Sportsbook Ohio brings one of the best sports betting apps in the nation to the Ohio market. With generous risk-free bet bonuses and a comprehensive menu of sports and ways to bet, Caesars Sportsbooks competes with anything in the U.S. market.
Ohio Legal Sportsbooks
Ohio entered 2021 as one of the states expected to legalize sports betting, and it appeared that everything was in line to do just that. Lawmakers debated several key issues relating to sports betting throughout the year and finally passed House Bill 29 through both State legislative chambers in December 2021.
The first major debate came about when each side of the legislature had a different idea about which group should regulate this industry. As a result, the Ohio Casino Control Commission will oversee the state’s online sports betting industry, with the Ohio Lottery playing a role in regulating self-service sports wagering kiosks at retail lottery locations.
The terms of HB 29 make online sports betting legal. Per the bill’s terms, 25 online sports betting licenses are available to prospective operators.
Those 25 licenses fall under Class A licenses, with issue preference going to state professional sports franchises and casinos. In addition, the bill allows each approved Class A operator to add a second online sports betting skin in the future, under certain financial conditions.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission will also award up to 42 retail sportsbook (Class B) licenses. In addition, class C licenses are also available, allowing bars, restaurants, bowling alleys, and some lottery retailers to install self-service sports betting kiosks.
The Ohio sports betting launch is slated for January 1, 2023. Check back with Props.com for promo codes that unlock risk-free bets, deposit matches, and free play bonuses for Ohio sports bettors.
Best Sports Betting Alternatives In Ohio
Top Sports Betting Sites in Ohio
Which Daily Fantasy Sports Sites Are Live In Ohio?
Ohio became the 18th state in the U.S. to officially legalize daily fantasy sports sites in 2016, and the first legal states were able to launch in 2017. There was a big debate about the legality of these sites around that time, but lawmakers in the state put that argument to rest.
Lawmakers have brought up the legality of DFS sites to offer legal sports betting, but each industry is extremely different. There is an argument that DFS sites require skill while sports betting requires luck.
There hasn’t been much growth in the fantasy sports site industry since it was legalized in 2016, but a handful of sites offer different games in the state.
DFS Salary Cap Sites
DFS salary cap sites were the first to hit the market in the United States and remain the most popular to date. These games are available in Ohio, especially when offered by two specific sites.
DraftKings and FanDuel are the top DFS operators in the U.S., which is the case in Ohio. Both sites have expanded since they launched over a decade ago, but salary cap games are still their specialty.
The process to sign up for a new account at either DraftKings or FanDuel is simple, and you only need to be physically present in the state to play in a contest. Each site will verify your identity before your account is created, but you are free to check out the long list of available games.
Another feature that makes these companies so great is that they both offer a DFS app available on Android and iOS devices. In addition, if sports betting is ever offered in Ohio, the sportsbook can be added to that app, making it easy for customers to flip back and forth.
There are other DFS sites that you can find in Ohio that attempt to replicate these salary cap games, but none do it better than the two original sites. Both companies should be a big factor in the U.S. sports betting industry at some point in the future.
Fantasy Player Prop Games
While the salary cap DFS games will likely always be the most popular in the US, other games and sites have emerged. For example, some sites now focus on player prop betting options but put that into a DFS style game.
Similar to the traditional sites, signing up for a new account is extremely easy in Ohio. In addition, the state regulates all of the sites that offer player prop games, adding additional protection and security to the player.
With a player prop game, there is no salary cap involved, and the player is simply making predictions about a certain player’s performance. This game style resembles prop betting at a traditional sportsbook, but no betting is involved.
Here are some of the newest sites that are starting to offer fantasy player prop games:
- Underdog Fantasy
- PrizePicks
- Boom Fantasy
Best Ball Games
There haven’t been many new DFS games invented over the past ten years, as there isn’t much that can be done. However, one of the latest games offered by these sites is what is known as “Best Ball.”
Best Ball is a game that allows players to draft a lineup of players, similar to what is done in fantasy football or baseball. However, instead of changing the lineup weekly, the site will automatically pick the players that performed the best.
These “best ball” games can be played daily or last for the entire season. Sites like DraftKings and FanDuel have started to offer these contests, but they are most popular with sites that focus on this specific option.
Underdog Fantasy is a site that has gained popularity by offering Best Ball games, and it’s another site with a straightforward signup process. It can take less than 10 minutes to get all signed up at Underdog Fantasy, and then you can enjoy all of the games that sites like this offer.
DraftKings Ohio $200 Pre-Launch Offer
Props.com readers can sign up for a DraftKings Sportsbook Ohio account now, and get a pre-launch bonus of $200 in free bets. Simply click on the link below to create an account at DraftKings, and $200 in free bets will appear in your account when DraftKings Sportsbook OH goes live.
Are Online Poker Sites Legal In Ohio?
Online poker has not taken off in the United States as with other industries, and this form of iGaming is not expected in Ohio anytime soon. Live poker games are legal in Ohio, but they must all be played in person.
Legalizing online poker in Ohio will be lengthy, and it’s not a process that will be completed anytime soon. Online poker sites could be legalized with the launch of online casino gaming, but that’s another industry that hasn’t seen a ton of traction.
Are Online Casino Sites Legal In Ohio?
The online sports betting industry in the US has seen plenty of growth, and online casino gaming is also growing. Many states have attempted to launch both industries simultaneously, but that isn’t taking place in Ohio.
Ohio lawmakers have not mentioned the topic of online casino gambling, and it’s not likely to be discussed anytime soon. It has taken the state this long to legalize sports betting doesn’t provide much hope for online casino sites.
There is a chance that a positive experience with online sports betting could lead to online casino gambling, but this could be a few years down the road.
Best Sports Betting Alternatives In Ohio
Top Sports Betting Alternatives in Ohio
Top Sports Betting Alternatives in Ohio
Will Ohio Online Sports Betting Sites Be Fair?
When Ohio can finally launch legal online sports betting sites, all of these sites will be fair to the customer. This is the biggest reason for making these sites legal, as they would be required to follow specific state laws.
The best Ohio betting apps will represent some of the biggest
Who Regulates OH Legal Online Sportsbooks?
The Ohio Casino Control Commission and the Ohio Lottery will oversee sports betting in Ohio.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission will vet potential sportsbook brands. Then, they can award up to 25 online sports betting licenses to approved operators. In addition, the Ohio Lottery will play a part in regulating self-service betting kiosks at retail lottery ticket sellers.
Are Ohio Betting App Brands Worth Trusting?
Yes, legal online sportsbooks in Ohio are worth trusting. There is a reason lawmakers in Ohio worked so hard to legalize sports betting, especially online sports betting sites.
The state must regulate all sites that operate in Ohio. This will provide an additional layer of security, and sports bettors in the state will be protected.
Look for Ohio sports wagering apps in the App Store (for Apple iOS apps) and the Google Play store (Android sports betting apps).
How Do I Collect My Winnings?
The process of collecting your online betting winnings in Ohio is relatively simple. In addition, the state’s legal sports betting sites will offer several withdrawal options.
If you are lucky enough to win some money at an online gambling site in Ohio, the first step is to make a withdrawal request. There should be several options available, and you can pick the one that works best for you.
Remember that all of these sports gambling sites are legal and licensed in the state of Ohio, and therefore, your payments are protected.
Ohio Professional Sports Teams
The Buckeye State hosts a rich sports tradition, with several teams across the major sports leagues. Some of Ohio’s most popular sports franchises include:
Cincinnati Bengals (NFL)
The Cincinnati Bengals went all the way to the Super Bowl in the 2021-22 season, before bowing out to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL championship game. With superstar quarterback Joe Burrow at the helm, the Bengals should contend for the AFC North division championship for years to come.
Our NFL Betting Guide offers a comprehensive look at how to be on NFL games.
Cleveland Browns (NFL)
After going to the NFL playoffs in the 2019-2020 season, the Cleveland Browns haven’t been back to the postseason. With one of the best running back tandems in the NFL (Nick Chubb and Kareen Hunt), and a talented young core of players, expect the Browns to be a factor in the current NFL season.
Cleveland Guardians (MLB)
Cleveland’s beloved Major League Baseball franchise surprised sports fans with an unexpected run to the 2022 MLB playoffs. With one of the youngest rosters in baseball, the Guardians appear to have a bright future in the AL Central.
Plenty of opportunities for MLB betting await when the 2023 season comes around. Take a look at our guide to No Run First Inning (NRFI) bets.
Cincinnati Reds (MLB)
The Cincinnati Reds went the opposite way of the Cleveland Guardians in the 2022 season. Despite the franchise’s struggles on the field last season, expect the Reds to rebound in 2023. The Reds last won the World Series in 1990.
Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA)
Ohio legend LeBron James led the Cleveland Cavaliers to a long-awaited NBA championship in the 2016 NBA Finals. While James has moved on to the Los Angeles Lakers, the current Cavs roster could contend for the NBA Playoffs for several years.
Take a look at the Props.com NBA betting guide.
Other Ohio Pro Sports Teams
- Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL)
- Columbus Crew (MLB)
Ohio College Sports Teams
Ohio sports betting law permits college sports betting, including Ohio-based programs and events. NCAA basketball and football stand as two of the most popular sports among Ohio fans.
Some of the state’s most popular college football and college basketball teams include:
- Ohio State Buckeyes
- Cincinnati Bearcats
- Xavier Musketeers
- Dayton Flyers
- Miami Redhawks