Ohio settled on Jan. 1, 2023, to launch its mobile sports betting industry. Once you overlook the somewhat ridiculous choice to launch at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Day, the Ohio sports betting industry is expected to be one the best performing in the country, with all the usual suspects involved.
Based on the licensing applications, the Ohio mobile market will launch with around 20 mobile brands, including BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings, Bally’s, Caesars, Barstool Sports, PointsBet, and Bet365.
That number could double in the days and months following the initial synchronized launch, as each licensee can offer two mobile skins.
The Current List of Mobile Operators
As previously reported, 22 license applications were submitted to the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) as of July 15, the application cutoff to secure a spot for Jan. 1, 2023, launch.
Of the 22 applicants, 19 named their first-skin mobile platform partner before the July 15 deadline:
- JACK Cleveland Casino – PlayUp Interactive
- HOF Village (Pro Football Hall of Fame) – Instabet
- Cincinnati Bengals – Betfred Sports
- MGM Northfield Park – BetMGM
- Scioto Downs – William Hill
- Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati – Hard Rock Digital
- Cleveland Browns – Bally’s Interactive
- Columbus Blue Jackets – Fanatics
- Crew SC – Tipico
- Muirfield Village Golf Club – Parx Interactive
- Cincinnati Reds – Underdog Sports Wagering
- Cleveland Cavaliers – Fubo Gaming
- Hollywood Casino Columbus – Barstool Sportsbook
- Cleveland Guardians – bet365
- Hollywood Casino Toledo – DraftKings
- Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley – PointsBet
- FC Cincinnati – SuperBook
- SPIRE Institute – Out the Gate
- Belterra Park – FanDuel
Three other applicants missed the deadline, and only one has since named its mobile platform:
- JACK Thistledown Racino – WynnBet, submitted on 8/15.
- Hollywood Gaming Dayton Raceway – No platform announced
- Miami Valley Gaming and Racing – No platform announced
Since July 15, a few second-skin pieces have fallen into place:
- BetRivers is a second-skin platform of Hollywood Casino Columbus – Application submitted on July 19.
- Digital Gaming Corp was revealed as the second-skin platform of Belterra Park – Application submitted on August 15.
- Prophet Exchange will serve as the second-skin platform of the Columbus Blue Jackets – Application submitted on August 15.
- MaximBet is the second-skin platform of the JACK Cleveland Casino – Application submitted on August 15.
Retail Sports Betting in Ohio
Ohio will also have one of the largest retail sports betting presences of any sports betting state.
As of the August 15 update, the OCCC has received 25 retail sportsbook applications. But that is just the tip of the iceberg, as the OCCC has received more than 650 applications for sports betting kiosks in bars and restaurants around the state.
“It’s going to end up being a really nice thing for business,” said Marty Angiulli, owner of Martino’s on Vine, the first bar in the Clifton area to secure a license. “We try to be a sports bar … so we said, ‘Let’s try to get a kiosk’ to keep them here to watch the game and increase our business as far as food and alcohol.”
These kiosks are structured similarly to VGT and VLT routes in other states, with a supplier providing the machines and technology and the bar or restaurant serving as the location-only. Eligibility requires the bar or restaurant to possess a liquor license and be a lottery retailer. The cost of the “host” license is $1,000.
