Welcome to the Props.com guide to Ohio sports betting. Ohio has quickly become one of the biggest sports betting markets in the country due to its large base of passionate sports fans and favorable regulatory environment. The best Ohio sportsbooks are all available in the state, as are several unique options not available anywhere else.
The biggest operators offer enticing new customer promotions along with many ongoing odds boosts that provide value for new and experienced bettors alike.
This page will cover which sportsbooks are currently operating in the state, what types of new customer promotions they offer, how sportsbooks are regulated in the state, how to sign up for an account, which pro and college sports teams call Ohio home, and how the state manages its responsible gambling initiatives. Let’s get started.
Best Ohio Sportsbooks
- Most Popular U.S. Sportsbook
- Live Betting
- Top-Rated App
- Huge Selection of Sports
- 20+ States
- Top-Rated App
- Generous signup bonus options
- Extensive live betting with HD streaming
- Huge market variety, including niche sports
- Friendly Welcome Bonus
- Tons of Betting Markets
- Highly-Rated App
- Simple Sign-Up
- Easy To Use
- Large Sport Market Offering
- 15+ States
- Extensive Betting Markets
- Top-Rated App
- Top-Rated App
- 15+ States
- Extensive Betting Options
After reviewing all the best Ohio sportsbooks, we have determined that several of them rise above the rest and are worth your time and bankroll. More information on the top Ohio sportsbooks can be found in the sections below.
Bet365 Sportsbook Ohio
Bet365 Sportsbook is one of the biggest and most reputable sports betting brands in the world. Already a huge name in Europe, the Bet365 Ohio platform brings a top-notch sportsbook app to Ohio bettors.
The bonus offer is also one of the best Ohio sports betting bonus promos on our list. If you’re a fan of lower-profile sports, you will enjoy the wide variety of betting opportunities available on bet365. There are many pros related to bet365, but it does have a few drawbacks as well, which we will discuss below.
Pros
Cons
Caesars Sportsbook Ohio
Caesars Sportsbook is one of the best-known casino brands in the world. Caesars Sportsbook may not dominate the competition, but it definitely holds its own among the industry leaders.
Caesars is a top-four sportsbook in Ohio and elsewhere. It has become popular by offering a wide variety of betting options, promotions that offer real value, and the best rewards program in the industry. While Caesars Sportsbook has many advantages, it also has a few disadvantages, which we will cover below.
Pros
Cons
FanDuel Sportsbook Ohio
The biggest sportsbook in the US is FanDuel Sportsbook, and it’s easy to see why. The promotion is top-notch, the sportsbook app is easy to use and has many unique features, and no one has a wider variety of wagering options.
Deposit minimums are low and there are a dozen banking options available. FanDuel is the best sportsbook for beginners and has many advantages everyone can use. It does have a few disadvantages, which we will cover below.
Pros
Cons
BetMGM Sportsbook Ohio
The King of Sportsbooks is a bold claim that BetMGM Sportsbook regularly makes on its many television ads. The sportsbook backs it up by offering a solid new customer promotion, wagering options on just about everything, and many fun ongoing promotions. BetMGM has a lot of positives, but it also has a few negatives, which we will highlight below.
Pros
Cons
BetRivers Sportsbook Ohio
BetRivers Sportsbook is another popular option in Ohio. It offers a lot of creative promotions and an easy-to-use app. BetRivers has good prices and a wide range of sports to choose from. It is a solid sportsbook that is worth checking out. However, it does have a few drawbacks that we will discuss below.
Pros
Cons
Legal online sportsbooks in Ohio
Ohio has a unique three-part regulatory structure that we will explore in detail below. Casinos, sports teams, and sports venues are eligible for a mobile sportsbook license, and up to 25 are authorized under state law. There are currently 14 sportsbooks operating in the state, but that number has been higher in the past.
Ohio has two multiple sports betting regulators. The Ohio Casino Control Commission regulates retail casinos and mobile sportsbooks while the Ohio Lottery Commission oversees the betting kiosks that dot the state. A list of all the sportsbooks and their license partners can be found in the table below.
| Sportsbook | Welcome Bonus | Key Features/Description | Partner Casino/Team/Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings Sportsbook | Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly | Biggest sportsbook in the country | Hollywood Casino Toledo |
| Bally Bet | Bet $10 Get $50 in Bonus Bets | Bet credits paid out win or lose | Cleveland Browns |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | Bet $5, Get $300 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins | #1 sportsbook in America | Belterra Park |
| BetMGM Sportsbook | Up to $1,500 Paid Back in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Doesn't Win | Tons of ongoing promotions | MGM Northfield Park |
| BetRivers Sportsbook | Second Chance Bonus Bet Up To $100 | Tons of live betting options | Hollywood Gaming Dayton Raceway |
| ESPN BET | Bet $10 Get $100 in Bonus Bets | Only sportsbook partnered with ESPN | Hollywood Casino Columbus |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Bet $1, Double Your Winnings Your Next 20 Wagers | Best rewards program in the industry | Scioto Downs |
| Fanatics Sportsbook | Bet $30 Get $300 in Bonus Bets | Reward points can be used on Fanatics merchandise | Columbus Blue Jackets |
| bet365 Sportsbook | Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets, Win or Lose | One of the biggest sportsbooks in the world | Cleveland Guardians |
| Prime Sportsbook | 25% Bonus Bet Up To $100 | Sportsbook exclusive to Ohio | SPIRE Institute |
| Hard Rock Bet | Up to $100 Back in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Doesn't Win | Fun, interactive app; connected to popular Hard Rock Casino | Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati |
| Betr Sportsbook | $10 No Deposit Bonus Plus 100% First Deposit Match Up To $25 | Specializes in microbetting | Pro Football Hall Of Fame Village |
| Betly Sportsbook | $50 First Bet Insurance | Regional sportsbook connected to popular casino | Miami Valley Gaming and Racing |
| betJACK Sportsbook | BetJACK Has Your Back Up To $1000 | Exclusive to Ohio; connected to popular casino chain | Jack Cleveland Casino |
Best Ohio sports betting new customer promotions
There are four types of new customer promotions available in Ohio: bet-get, no-deposit bonus, first bet insurance, and profit boost. These are the most common types of new customer offers and each offers a certain amount of value.
The actual value of each sportsbook promotion is determined by the Terms and Conditions attached to the offer. While some offers may seem like a good deal, the details might end up reducing their actual value. Below is a table that lists all the new customer offers available at sportsbooks in Ohio.
| Sportsbook | Welcome Bonus | Minimum Deposit | Key Terms and Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings Sportsbook | Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly | $5 | Bet credits paid out in the form of six (6) $25 bonus bet tokens |
| Bally Bet | Bet $10 Get $50 in Bonus Bets | $10 | Bonus bet credits paid out as two (2) $25 bet tokens and expire after seven (7) days |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | Bet $5, Get $300 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins | $5 | First wager can be on any bet at any odds |
| BetMGM Sportsbook | Up to $1,500 Paid Back in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Doesn't Win | $10 | Bet tokens expire after seven (7) days |
| BetRivers Sportsbook | Second Chance Bonus Bet Up To $100 | $10 | Initial wager can be made on any bet at any odds; credits expire after 7 days |
| ESPN BET | Bet $10 Get $100 in Bonus Bets | $10 | Bonus bet credits expire after seven (7) days |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Bet $1, Double Your Winnings Your Next 20 Wagers | $5 | $25 max wager amount for each profit boost; all profit boost tokens expire after 14 days |
| Fanatics Sportsbook | Bet $30 Get $300 in Bonus Bets | $10 | Bet credits paid out $100 each day for three days |
| bet365 Sportsbook | Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets | $10 | Bet credits expire after seven (7) days |
| Prime Sportsbook | 25% Bonus Bet Up To $100 | $10 | $400 deposit required to earn the full $100 bonus offer |
| Hard Rock Bet | Up to $100 Back in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Doesn't Win | $10 | Credits expire after seven (7) days |
| Betr Sportsbook | $10 No Deposit Bonus Plus 100% First Deposit Match Up To $25 | $10 | No deposit required for the $10 bonus; $25 deposit required to unlock the full $25 bonus match |
| Betly Sportsbook | $50 First Bet Insurance | $10 | Qualifying wager must be -200 or higher; credits expire after 14 days |
| betJACK Sportsbook | BetJACK Has Your Back Up To $1000 | $10 | Promotion paid out over 10 days; 50% of each day's losses, up to $200, are refunded as bet credits |
What are the best sportsbook bonuses in Ohio?
Just because a sportsbook offers a promotion with a big number like $1,000 or $1,500 doesn’t mean it is the best available offer. It might actually be the best offer for some bettors, but not everyone wagers that much or needs such a big first bet insurance policy.
Most times the smaller bet-get offers are better for recreational bettors. In the next sections we will go over real-world examples of the three new customer promotions available in Ohio so you can see which one might be right for you.
BetJACK Has Your Back Up To $1,000
BetJACK Sportsbook is only available in Ohio, so you won’t see this offer in any other state. The offer is definitely not one of the best sportsbook bonuses in Ohio, but we added it to this section because it is a good example of how some sportsbooks make things more complicated than necessary. Here’s how the BetJACK promotion works:
- Sign up for an account and make a deposit
- Start wagering. The promotional period starts as soon as your account is created.
- Each day, your cumulative losses will be calculated. The minimum loss each day must be $20 or more to be eligible for the promotion.
- Any losses between $20 and $200 will be refunded at a rate up to 50%. That doesn’t mean all refunds will be 50%. There are four tiers, so if you lose $50 you get $25 back (50%), but if you lose $99 (24.75%), you also get $25 back because the next tier starts at $100. Any losses over $200 will trigger the maximum $100 refund.
- Refunds appear in your account the next day.
- Repeat this for 10 days.
This is an exhausting process. One could argue it’s better than a first bet insurance promotion, but it is unnecessarily complicated and only pays back losses instead of providing new players with a bonus credit.
Betly Sportsbook $50 First Bet Insurance
Betly Sportsbook is available in a handful of states, Ohio being the biggest. It hasn’t cracked the top tier yet but does have a loyal customer base due to its connection to some popular casinos in the state. Its new customer promotion isn’t the biggest but it does offer some value.
First bet insurance is a popular promotion that lets you try out a sportsbook knowing that your first bet is covered win or lose. Each sportsbook has different terms and conditions connected to the promotion.
Betly’s terms are pretty standard. After signing up for an account and making a deposit, your first wager will be refunded as a bet credit if it loses, up to $50. The wager must have odds of -200 or higher, so that means you can’t take a prohibitive favorite, and the credit must be wagered once before the winnings can be withdrawn.
Betr Sportsbook $10 No Deposit Bonus Plus 100% First Deposit Match Up To $25
A few years back no-deposit bonuses were everywhere. Sportsbooks wanted to sign up as many new users as possible, so they gave out bonuses literally for free. Sadly they have gone by the wayside, so it’s great to see Betr Sportsbook bring back this lucrative promotion.
You don’t need to make a deposit to get the $10 no-deposit bonus at Betr Sportsbook but you do need to deposit to get the 100% match. It’s not a lot, but the $25 match is easy to get and definitely worth your time. Betr has always done things a little differently, so it’s not surprising to see them offer a promotion that appeals to younger bettors with a smaller bankroll.
How is sports betting regulated in Ohio?
Sports betting has been legal in Ohio since January 1, 2023. That is a relatively late date, and most Ohio’s neighboring states had already legalized sportsbooks by then. Still, it was very exciting to see sportsbooks finally be able to open up in Ohio.
The state has a unique regulatory structure that was the result of over a year of rulemaking and rule finalization. In the sections below we will go over how everything is set up and other details related to sports betting regulation.
Residency and age requirements for sports betting in Ohio
Anyone 21 and up can sign up for a mobile sportsbook account in Ohio. Most states also have a minimum age requirement of 21, but a few, including neighboring Kentucky, are 18+. You also need to be 21 to enter a retail sportsbook in Ohio.
Is sports betting legal in Ohio?
Yes, sports betting is legal in Ohio. Both mobile and retail sports betting have been legal and available in the state since January 1, 2023. Mobile sports betting in the state is regulated by the Ohio Casino Control Commission.
Ohio sports betting regulators
Yes, regulators. Plural. Just about every state has a single sports betting regulator, but jurisdictional battles led those in charge of sports betting in Ohio to anoint both the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) and the Ohio Lottery Commission (OLC) as dual regulators.
The OCCC has jurisdiction over mobile sports betting and retail sports betting while the OLC regulates the retail betting kiosks that are available at bars, restaurants, and even grocery stores throughout the state.
Lottery tickets are also available at many of the same locations, so a compromise was reached to give OLC a piece of the jurisdictional pie.
Ohio sports betting licensing structure
No state licenses and regulates sports betting like Ohio. State regulators created three types of sports betting licenses for sportsbooks in the state.
Type A sportsbook licenses are available for casinos, sports teams, and sports venues only. The number of available licenses is capped at 25. Each license holder can open up their own retail sportsbook and also partner with up to two online sportsbooks. This type of arrangement is common and allows online-only sportsbooks like DraftKings and bet365 to enter different states.
Type B sportsbook licenses are for standalone retail sportsbooks. This is different from a sportsbook inside an existing sports venue or casino and does not include access to an online sportsbook license. Think of a sports bar with an on-site sportsbook. Fifteen licenses are up for grabs, and the license fee is pretty reasonable in order to entice businesses to apply.
Type C sportsbook licenses are for retail kiosks. They are managed by the state and are available to be installed at a retail location like a bar or restaurant. Grocery stores also feature betting kiosks next to lottery machines.
The idea was fine, but the public has not been quick to use the kiosks due to deposit limitations and a reduced number of wagering options. It was reported that most betting kiosks were removed from their locations in June 2025 due to the vendor not making any money on the enterprise. With mobile betting so prevalent, betting kiosks might not last much longer in the state.
History of sports betting in Ohio
Sports betting in Ohio has only been around since 2023, so its history is pretty short. That wasn’t because of lack of effort or interest; things just never came together in the legislature until late 2021. Here is a timeline of the legislative and regulatory activity that led to sports betting becoming a reality on January 1, 2023.
2019 – After PASPA was repealed in 2018 and other states began to legalize sports betting, anticipation began to mount that Ohio would join the sports betting party after S. 111 was introduced and debated in the House and Senate. The measure even had the support of Governor Mike DeWine, but a vote was never taken on the bill. Sports betting in the state would have to wait another year.
2020 – The Ohio General Assembly meets for two years, just like the United States Congress. While S. 111 was introduced in 2019, the measure was pending for two years and was discussed in 2020 as well. Legislators were considering the topic but things never got very far along and the measure didn’t make it out of committee.
2021 – HB 176 was introduced in the state Senate in May 2021. It was a comprehensive bill that included a regulatory framework and laid out the path toward legal sports betting in the state.
With other competing legislative priorities, it became clear that sports betting was in danger of being left behind again. Bill sponsors came up with a compromise to attach the language of HB 176 to HB 29, an unrelated bill with more bipartisan support. The strategy worked, and HB 29 was signed into law on December 8, 2021. Sports betting was legal in Ohio!
January 1, 2023 – After a long rulemaking process, sportsbooks were finally allowed to open up their virtual doors at 12:01 am on January 1, 2023. The long-anticipated launch of sports betting was finally here, and what timing! Ohio State University played a bowl game that same day, which was likely the first wager most sports fans in Ohio put down after funding their accounts.
2025 – After many comings and goings, sports betting has matured in the state. The lesser-known sportsbooks that never really found any traction in the state have exited, leaving 14 operators sharing a steady revenue stream.
How Ohio manages its sports betting market
With three types of sports betting licenses available, Ohio regulators are plenty busy. They wanted to give a chance to as many entities as possible, and they have succeeded in opening up the state’s sports betting market to smaller, locally owned operators along with all the biggest sportsbooks.
Sports betting in Ohio is well-regulated and hugely successful, having generated millions of dollars in tax revenue for important government programs. The next sections will cover tax and licensing structure in further detail.
Taxation and Licensing Structure
When sports betting launched in January 2023, the tax rate was just 10 percent. This was very favorable and among the lowest rates in the country at the time. As the tax revenue started coming in, the Governor and legislators quickly sought to increase the amount collected and doubled the tax rate to 20 percent just a few months later.
The current tax rate on sportsbooks is 20 percent, but there has been some talk to increase the Ohio sports betting tax again to help pay for various projects, including new sports stadiums. This page will be updated when/if the tax rate changes.
Sports betting winnings are taxed as ordinary income both in Ohio. The current income tax rate in Ohio tops out at 3.5%. Gambling winnings are taxed as ordinary income at the federal level, which is currently 10 to 37 percent depending on your income bracket.
Licensing Fees
Ohio has different license fees based on the entity applying for a license. Here is how the Ohio sportsbook license fee structure breaks down for mobile sports betting:
Type A – $150,000 application fee
- Professional sports team partnering with one mobile sportsbook – $500,000 + $125,000 per year
- Venue or casino partnering with one mobile sportsbook – $750,000 + $187,500 per year
- Professional sports team partnering with two sportsbooks – $1.6 million + $416,667 per year
- Venue or casino partnering with two sportsbooks – $2.5 million + $625,000 per year
Type B – $150,000 application fee
- Type B proprietor that also holds a Type A license – $100,000 + $10,000 per year
- Type B proprietor that does not hold a Type A license – $50,000 + $10,000 per year
Type C – $100,000 + $5,000 per year
Where the Tax Money Goes
According to the Ohio Department of Revenue, 98 percent of the tax revenue generated from sports betting goes to “the education needs of Ohio funding interscholastic athletics and other extracurricular activities for youth.” The remaining two percent goes toward responsible gambling educational programs.
Key Market Stats
Number of months to reach $20 billion in total betting handle – 28 months, the fastest time of any state to reach that milestone
April 2025 betting handle – $808 million
All Ohio sportsbooks – gross receipts for April 2025
- FanDuel – $271 million
- DraftKings – $248 million
- Bet365 – $77 million
- BetMGM – $53 million
- Fanatics – $46 million
- Caesars Sportsbook – $32 million
- ESPN BET – $24 million
- Hard Rock Bet – $16 million
- Prime Sportsbook – $10 million
- BetJACK – $5.7 million
- BetRivers – $4.9 million
- Bally Bet – $2.6 million
- Betr Sportsbook – $777,000
- Betly Sportsbook/MVGBet – $530,000
Ohio mobile sportsbook apps
Fourteen sportsbooks currently operate in Ohio. Each one is available as an app on both iOS and Android operating systems. As you can see in the table below, users rate some of them much higher than others.
Based on the comments, user satisfaction is usually related to performance, ease of use, ability to access the new customer promotion, and ease of withdrawing funds.
| Sportsbook | iOS App Rating | Android App Rating |
|---|---|---|
| DraftKings Sportsbook | 4.8 | 4.3 |
| Bally Bet | 4.6 | 4.4 |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | 4.9 | 4.7 |
| BetMGM Sportsbook | 4.8 | 4.3 |
| BetRivers Sportsbook | 4.9 | 4.6 |
| ESPN BET | 4.8 | 4.5 |
| Caesars Sportsbook | 4.7 | 4.5 |
| Fanatics Sportsbook | 4.8 | 4.7 |
| bet365 Sportsbook | 4.8 | 4.6 |
| Prime Sportsbook | 3.3 | 2.2 |
| Hard Rock Bet | 4.9 | 4.7 |
| Betr Sportsbook | 4.7 | 4.6 |
| Betly Sportsbook | 2.4 | 3.2 |
| betJACK Sportsbook | 3.3 | 2.7 |
How to sign up for a sportsbook in Ohio
Here are all the steps required to open an account at a sportsbook in Ohio.
Choose a sportsbook – With 14 to pick from, you have many options. If you like to go to the Jack casino sometimes, you might want to try out BetJACK. If you like to watch ESPN, you could sign up for an ESPN BET account.
If you are new to sports betting and just want to find a sportsbook app that isn’t intimidating, we would recommend FanDuel or DraftKings. In Ohio, it is easy to find the right sportsbook for you.
Add the required information – As part of the signup process you will be asked to provide some personal information like your address and sometimes the last four digits of your SSN.
This information is needed to confirm your identity and ensure you are 21+ and eligible to open a sportsbook account. All sportsbooks are required to have industry-leading security technology to ensure your personal and financial information is kept safe and secure.
Enter promo code if needed – Each sportsbook is different. Some require a promo code during the sign up process while others have customized links that ensure you get the best promotional offer available.
If you are using a sportsbook that requires a promo code it is usually listed prominently. Be sure to enter the code when prompted to get the right offer.
Create a username and finalize the process – Some sportsbooks just ask for your email address while others ask that you create your own username. All of them need you to add in a unique password.
At this point you can also turn on two-factor authentication and face ID, if available. This is recommended to ensure your account is kept as secure as possible.
Deposit and wager – Now we get to the fun part. Once your profile is complete and your information has been verified you are ready to make a deposit and start wagering. Most sportsbooks have about a dozen banking options available, so you shouldn’t have any trouble making a deposit.
Once you find a wager you want to make, be sure to confirm that it qualifies for the new customer offer at your chosen sportsbook. The terms vary significantly, and it would be a bummer to not get the promotion.
Manage your account – You will likely need to log back into your account semi-regularly even if you aren’t wagering every day. If you start off strong and win a few bets, you might want to withdraw your winnings to use on other things besides wagering.
Just remember that not every deposit option is also available to withdraw funds. Your best bet is to use an ewallet like PayPal or Venmo for all your banking transactions. You might also need to access your bet credits, which will require some account management.
Retail sportsbook locations in Ohio
As mentioned above, Ohio has three types of sportsbook licenses. Type C licenses allow certain retail establishments to install a betting kiosk. For this section we will not be including Type C licenses in our list of sportsbook locations, mostly because it would take several days to add all of the locations to the table below.
All the Type A and B retail locations offer in-person wagering, usually connected to a restaurant or bar atmosphere with tons of TVs and a wide variety of food and drink options. If you like to put a few bucks on the game you’re watching while out with friends, you will like any of the 13 retail sportsbooks listed in the table below.
| Casino/Venue | Sports Team Partner | Sportsbook Partner | Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nationwide Arena | Columbus Blue Jackets | Fanatics Sportsbook | 401 N. Front St, Columbus, OH 43215 |
| Hollywood Casino Columbus | N/A | ESPN BET | 200 Georgesville Road, Columbus, OH 43228 |
| JACK Cleveland Casino | N/A | BetJACK | 100 Public Square, Cleveland, OH 44113 |
| JACK Thistledown Racino | N/A | BetJACK | 21501 Emery Road, North Randall, OH 44128 |
| MGM Northfield Park | N/A | BetMGM Sportsbook | 10777 Northfield Rd, Northfield, OH 44067 |
| Hollywood Gaming Dayton Raceway | N/A | ESPN BET | 777 Hollywood Blvd., Dayton, OH 45414 |
| Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati | N/A | Hard Rock Bet | 1000 Broadway, Cincinnati, OH 45202 |
| Miami Valley Gaming | N/A | Betly Sportsbook | 6000 SR 63, Lebanon, OH 45036 |
| Belterra Park | N/A | FanDuel Sportsbook | 6301 Kellogg Road, Cincinnati, OH 45230 |
| Scioto Downs | N/A | Caesars Sportsbook | 6000 S High St, Columbus, OH 43137 |
| Great American Ball Park | Cincinnati Reds | BetMGM Sportsbook | 100 Joe Nuxhall Wy, Cincinnati, OH 45202 |
| Hollywood Casino Toledo | N/A | ESPN BET | 1968 Miami St, Toledo, OH 43605 |
| Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley | N/A | ESPN BET | 655 N Canfield Niles Rd, Youngstown, OH 44515 |
Just about all the retail sportsbooks in Ohio are located inside large casinos. Back when sports betting was just getting started in Ohio, many businesses and sports teams had grand plans to open up large retail sportsbooks at their venues.
Most of those plans have fallen by the wayside due to the fact that most people prefer to wager on their phones and don’t seem to want to venture to a retail sportsbook. We expect that trend to continue as mobile wagering becomes more popular in Ohio and elsewhere.
Which sports can I bet on in Ohio?
Every major sport in the world can be found on sportsbook apps in Ohio. All the biggest pro and college sports in the US are featured, and hundreds of different betting options are available for each game. The following sections cover all the pro and college sports available on Ohio sportsbooks.
Major pro sports leagues
Pro sports are very popular in Ohio. The state has a whooping eight pro sports teams, which are featured in the next section. Whether you want to bet on an Ohio team or a team from another state, you will be able to find any pro sports game you are looking for on an Ohio sportsbook. Here are the US pro sports leagues available for wagering in Ohio.
College sports
To say college football and basketball are popular in Ohio is an understatement. The Ohio State University football team is more popular than most of the state’s pro sports teams, and draws way more fans to each home game.
A lot of this has to do with the fact that OSU is the state’s only Big Ten team, though the MAC is well-represented in the state.
As for wagering on OSU or any other college team, it is totally allowed, but player prop bets are now off limits. Of course, NCAA football and NCAA basketball are the most popular sports to wager on, but there are several others offered by sportsbooks in Ohio, including women’s college hoops, college baseball, and even college hockey.
Specialty sports
Lesser-known sports may not get as much attention in Ohio, but they are still available for wagering at all sportsbooks in the state. Lower-profile sports popular in other countries can be a fun change of pace, especially during the slower summer months when it seems like nothing but baseball is on TV. All these niche sports can be found on your favorite sportsbook app.
- Volleyball
- Tennis
- Table Tennis
- Snooker
- Soccer
- Rugby League/Union
- Lacrosse
- Formula 1
- Gaelic Football
- Team Handball
- Cricket
- Australian Rules Football
- Darts
- Cricket
- And more depending on time of year and sportsbook
Sports teams to bet on in Ohio
There are eight pro sports teams in Ohio along with over a dozen NCAA Division 1 college teams. College sports is a huge deal in the state and pretty much everyone is an Ohio State football fan.
This passionate support has created many team-specific odds boosts and promotional offers at the sportsbooks in the state. If you like OSU or any of the pro teams in the state, you will have many lucrative offers to choose from during every big game.
Professional teams
Cleveland Browns – They might not have a great record, but their fans don’t care
Cleveland Cavaliers – Led by Donovan Mitchell, the Cavs are on a roll and bringing tons of excitement to Rocket Arena each night
Cleveland Guardians – The Guardians are consistently good and hope to be great enough to return to the World Series for the first time since their memorable appearance in 2016
FC Cincinnati – FC Cincinnati has played in the MLS since 2019 and has had a lot of success in that short amount of time, including several playoff appearances. The team is built to win and should continue to do well in the future.
Cincinnati Reds – The Reds have been in the National League since 1890 but they haven’t been to the World Series since they last won it in 1990. That’s a long time, but they have a young core that are doing their best to give the team another trip to the Fall Classic
Cincinnati Bengals – As long as the Bengals have a healthy Joe Burrow they will be a factor in the NFL. He led them to a Super Bowl appearance in 2022 and will lead them to their next one, if they can ever get past the Bills and Chiefs in the AFC
Columbus Crew – The Crew were one of the 10 charter teams that made up the original MLS way back in 1996. They won the MLS cup in 2020 and 2023 and have been a top team in the league for many years.
Columbus Blue Jackets – The state’s lone NHL team is very popular throughout the state. NHL is not as big in Ohio as other sports, but the Blue Jackets have done decently well since joining the league in 2000.
Ohio NCAA Division I college teams
- Ohio State University
- Ohio University
- University of Akron
- Bowling Green University
- Kent State University
- Miami University
- University of Toledo
- University of Cincinnati
- Xavier University
- Cleveland State University
- Youngstown State University
- Wright State University
- University of Dayton
Responsible gambling resources in Ohio
Ohio state regulators have created many resources dedicated to helping those who need assistance with problem gambling. The sections below dig into the specifics of all the responsible gambling services available in Ohio.
Self-exclusion programs
People in Ohio can choose to bar themselves from all forms of gambling in the state. The Time Out Ohio Voluntary Program allows anyone to self-exclude and be prohibited from accessing any online sportsbook or any retail casino in the state. The links below have more information on this important program.
Wager & time-limit tools
Sportsbook apps in Ohio offer tools to assist people who may need some help staying within their limits. Sportsbooks are required to provide responsible gambling information on their websites, and they also provide tools and information for people to limit their gambling. The tools generally include:
- Activity alerts reminding you of how long you’ve spent on a sportsbook app
- Deposit limits for a set amount of time
- Time limits that turn off the app after a certain number of hours spent on the app per day
- Wagering limits per bet or per day
- A cooling off feature that automatically turns off the app for a certain amount of time. The app cannot be accessed for any reason until the cooling off period ends
- Links and information on responsible gambling resources and services
Helplines & counseling
Counseling services are offered for Ohioans who need someone to talk to about their gambling-related issues. Several nonprofit organizations in the state focus on helping people with gambling addictions. Here are the Ohio-based responsible gambling resources.
- Ohio for Responsible Gambling
- Gamban helps prevent people from accessing gambling websites and apps
- Ohio problem gambling helpline – 1-800-589-9966 or online chat
- Crisis text line – Text 4HOPE to 741741
- Gamblers Anonymous Ohio
Conclusion
Ohio is a great state filled with passionate sports fans. Since 2023 it has also become one of the biggest sports betting markets in the country. Our guide to Ohio sports betting has covered which 14 sportsbooks are available in the state, all the new customer promotions they offer, how to sign up for an account, which pro and college sports teams call Ohio home, and how to find responsible gambling resources in case you need a break from betting.
Now that you have all the information you need to start betting on your favorite teams, remember to bet with your head and only wager as much as you can afford to lose. Most of all, have fun!
