Ohio Sports Betting

Is Ohio Sports Betting Now Legal?

In December 2021, Governor Mike DeWine signed HB 29 into law, legalizing Ohio sports betting at brick-and-mortar venues and online. Governor DeWine had been working on the legalization of sports betting in the state for a long time before the bill passed, and he was thrilled to get it over the line. 

Ohio will join the neighboring states of Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, which have also legalized sports betting in recent times. 

We now know that Ohioans will be able to place their first legal wagers in the state from January 1, 2023, as announced by the Ohio Casino Control Commission. 

The window for sports betting applications has been open since June 15, 2022, meaning that applicants have sufficient time to prepare their cases before things get underway in the New Year. 

How Did We Get to This Point?

In May 2018, the Supreme Court of the United States reversed the Amateur Sports Protection Act, which essentially enabled all states to institute their own laws in regard to sports betting. 

The repeal of the bill can be traced back to 2011, when New Jersey voters enacted a referendum to permit sports betting at the state’s racetracks and within Atlantic City casinos. However, NJ was sued by major sports leagues that were against the changes. 

As a result, years of legal battles commenced, and some of the major sports leagues in the US - the MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL - argued that the legalization of sports betting would harm them and their teams.

After failing to pass the legislation at the federal level three times, NJ took its case to the Supreme Court in 2017. By 2018, the SCOTUS ruled in favor of NJ, paving the way for other states to follow suit. 

Following NJ’s success, West Virginia was quick to legalize sports betting, and multiple states followed soon after. 

Ohio became the 18th state to legalize daily fantasy sports at the start of 2018, but it would be almost four years until Gov. Mike DeWine signed HB 29 into law.

How Will Sports Betting Work in Ohio?

From January 2023, you can place a bet in the Buckeye State in one of three ways: 

• By signing up for an online sportsbook. 
• By actually going to a brick-and-mortar casino sportsbook. 
• By attending a restaurant or bar with sports betting kiosks. 

Licenses will be issued by the Ohio Casino Control Commission, and venues will be announced in due course. The legislation permits 25 Type-A licenses for casinos, venues, and professional sports teams. Each licensed venue will be permitted to operate two online skins to supplement their brick-and-mortar operations. 

We can also expect 40 Type-B licenses to be issued in Ohio, which are earmarked for retail-only sportsbooks. Type-C licenses will also be available and permit sportsbooks to operate at self-service kiosks in bars and restaurants.

We’re also likely to see the arrival of many online sportsbooks in Ohio from the start of 2023 (up to 25), providing bettors with legal betting.

Which Sports Can I Bet on From January 2023?

The great news is that when sports betting is launched in January, you will be able to bet on a whole host of sports and teams in the Buckeye State. Although you will be spoiled for choice, some of the Ohio teams to keep an eye out for include: 

• Football - Cincinnati Bengals & Cleveland Browns 
• Basketball - Cleveland Cavaliers 
• Ice hockey - Columbus Blue Jackets, Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL) 
• Baseball - Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Guardians 
• Soccer - Columbus Crew, FC Cincinnati

As you can see, most of the major sports teams in Ohio are based out of Cleveland and Cincinnati. But in addition to the big names, you can find a whole host of teams operating at college and state level, providing you with a much bigger market when it comes to making your bet selections.

You can also bet on individual sports like golf, tennis, horse racing, and even Olympic events as and when they come around. As we said, you will be truly spoiled for choice.

How Can I Get Started with Online Sports Betting in Ohio? 

As we eagerly await the arrival of January 2023, we want to show you how easy it will be to place bets in the Buckeye State. Here’s what you need to know. 

Select a sportsbook

Your first job is to decide where to place your bets. As mentioned, you will have three options in Ohio. Assuming you choose to bet online, check the site’s registration and license details and browse through the bonuses and promotions offered. 

Online sportsbooks like betJACK will offer you deposit bonuses and free bets, so be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully and know how to extract the bonus. 

Register

Once you’ve settled on your chosen sportsbook, you will need to register online. This process is super straightforward and can be done online. You will have to present your ID or social security number to verify your identity with an online sportsbook. 

Deposit funds and claim a bonus 

You can now add funds to your sportsbook account. Make sure you’ve read the bonus conditions so you can deposit sufficient funds to claim the generous welcome offer. 

Place your bets

Last but not least, you’re all set to start betting. Be sure to check through our site for the latest odds and tips for betting on the Bengals, Browns, Guardians, and more! 

Anything Else I Need to Know About Ohio Sports Betting?

Like all sports fans, we’re excited about the launch of sports betting in Ohio in January 2023. We encourage all sports fans 21 and above to consider online sports betting, but you should do so responsibly. 

Online sports betting should be fun, and you need to keep it this way. Unfortunately, problem gambling exists in all states where sports betting is legalized, and the Ohio Voluntary Exclusion Program has been set up to protect Ohioans who wish to restrict their access to state gambling facilities. 

Responsible gambling features will also be added to Ohio online sportsbooks to help people stay in control while gambling online. 

Otherwise, we hope that you can enjoy sports gambling when it launches, and we wish you the best of luck as you pick your selections!