Ohio Sportsbook Promo Codes: Best Sportsbook Bonuses

Page last updated and sign-up promos offered/verified by Cleveland.com and fact-checked by Robby Sabo.

Yes, the Best Ohio Sportsbook Promo Codes are indeed available at Cleveland.com. Before diving into the nitty-gritty, which is something Ohioans never have a problem wearing proudly, scoop up any (or all) of the following Ohio Sports Betting Promo Codes (one of which is the amazing DraftKings Ohio Promo Code resulting in a Bet $5, Get $150 Instant Bonus (guaranteed, win or lose):

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Ohio sports betting has been live since the start of the new year and is just weeks away from entering its first full NFL and college football regular seasons. This means that for the first time ever, the optimism of a new season can be paired up with the ability to back popular in-market teams like Ohio State, the Cincinnati Bengals, and Cleveland Browns in a variety of betting markets with Ohio online sports betting apps.

This means the following: There are numerous primetime sporting events to place action on. It’s been clearly established that football reigns supreme when it comes to driving legal online betting action, but before it arrives, daily Major League Baseball games, UFC, tennis, and PGA Tour action will keep things moving along.

For Ohio bettors, this means they can place legal wagers as the Guardians make a run at an American League Central crown and the upstart Reds continue their stunning push at an unexpected postseason berth.

Before we dig into the nitty-gritty, make sure to pounce on one of the phenomenal sign-up promos or bonus offers currently available, such as DraftKings Ohio Sportsbook’s $150 instant bonus:

Ohio sports betting page navigation (jump-to section):

Granted, the legalization and live status of Ohio sports gambling has taken quite some time to materialize, unlike states such as New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Colorado, but expecting anything different contrasts with the grittiness of the Ohio sports fan experience.

The diehard Cleveland sports fan waited 52 painstaking years for its most recent championship (when discussing the four major American professional sports leagues: NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL). For quite some time, the Cleveland Browns’ 1964 NFL championship marked the last title for the city---until LeBron James did the unthinkable in 2016, leading his Cleveland Cavaliers to the organization’s first NBA Finals title.

Tough, gritty and blue-collar are just a few battle-tested characteristics mentioned when the Ohio sports fan is bandied about. So much so that the Ohio sports bettors’ wait for Jan. 1, 2023, feels like a cakewalk.

Excitingly, now that the cakewalk is completed, the state’s sports-betting platform is live. Ohio sports betting has technically been legal for quite some time, but only now can Ohio sports bettors legally place bets.

The question remaining is, “Which are the nine best online sportsbooks in Ohio sports betting?”

When did Ohio online sports betting launch?

Ohio sports betting officially launched on Jan. 1, 2023, at 12:01 a.m. ET. As previously mentioned, Ohio sports gambling has technically been legal for about a year, but it has taken some time for the entire platform to launch in totality.

As diehard Ohio State Buckeye fans came to painfully experience, the commencement of legal Ohio sports wagering coincided with their team missing a game-winning field goal in the College Football Playoff semifinal against the Georgia Bulldogs. (Georgia would ultimately go on to win its second-straight national championship a week later, knocking off surprising TCU.)

Excitingly, the early stages of Ohio sports betting haven’t disappointed. What pundits thought would be a massive sports gambling market has turned out to reflect that very thought.

Ohio sports betting launch updates

Just understand this: The greatly anticipated party has arrived.

For those familiar with the 2022 FIFA World Cup, including those with claustrophobia fears, the images of millions of Argentinians gathering to celebrate Argentina’s heart-pounding final victory over France resembles the party in question. While Ohio sports bettors can bypass the in-person gathering, courtesy of the legal online element to come, the legal Ohio sports gambling party is indeed here.

A number of legal developments over the past few months have set the stage for the official Jan. 1, 2023 launch, just in time for the end of the NFL regular season and a number of significant college football bowl games. (That’s right, Ohio State football fans: Legalized Ohio online sports gambling arrived just in time for bowl season and the FBS College Football Playoff.)

With most legal hurdles now cleared, Ohio will become the latest state to complete a relatively quick turnaround on legal online sports betting in the past year alone. Encouragingly, Ohio is receiving incredible support from its in-state professional sports organizations, per Robert Linnehan.

New York took just nine months to launch after lawmakers approved a deal to legalize online sports betting. Louisiana took seven months to get up and running after its legislation was signed into law. The fastest turnaround in the past year, however, happened in Arizona, which launched legal online sports betting just five months after the governor signed HB 2772 into law.

There has long been a sense of urgency to get Ohio sports betting up and running sooner rather than later. Neighboring states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, Indiana, and West Virginia have generated massive tax revenue, which has been a motivating factor to get things up and running as soon as possible.

Ohio sports betting launch timeline

What’s happening right now, at this exact moment, and how have we arrived at this point? Well, the road to legal Ohio sports betting is a long story of official (and unofficial) developments that have spanned years.

In short, the country knew, from the moment PASPA was overturned per New Jersey’s efforts in 2018, that Ohio would eventually launch online sports betting. The only question revolved around when that would happen.

Of course, the date of Jan. 1, 2023, 12:01 a.m. ET represents the moment in this universe when Ohio sports gambling legally launched.

• Jan. 1, 2023: The date that legal Ohio sports betting officially launched, at 12:01 a.m. ET.
• Dec. 30, 2022: Ohio regulators are looking at DraftKings for allegedly sending sports-betting mailers to thousands of people under 21 years of age.
• Dec. 28, 2022: State officials signal that some sports-betting kiosks will be open on Jan. 1, 2023, the first potential day to do so.
• Dec. 26, 2022: The Las Vegas, NV-area SuperBook will launch in Ohio on day No. 1.
• Dec. 23, 2022: The Ohio sports betting regulator sends an email warning the industry over certain aspects of sports gambling advertising.
• Dec. 21, 2022: Betfred Ohio Sportsbook becomes the latest operator to join the Buckeye State pre-registration party, by unveiling a pre-launch bonus of bet $50, get $111. Elsewhere, on the same day, a spokesperson announced that the allegations against PlayUp and the company’s Ohio sports betting efforts are being handled with the “utmost seriousness.” Perhaps most notable is the news that the OCCC announced 16 online sportsbooks and 12 retail sportsbooks that are set to launch on Jan. 1, 2023.
• Dec. 20, 2022: Betr CEO and co-founder Joey Levy announces his belief that his sports betting platform expects to launch on Jan. 1, 2023, in Ohio. The announcement follows Betr’s successful licensing from the state’s regulators.
• Dec. 15, 2022: Barstool Ohio Sportsbook unleashes a $100 pre-launch bonus (via pre-registration). Elsewhere, FansUnite obtains an Ohio sports gaming supplier license, en route to providing Betr with B2B gaming technology.
• Dec. 14, 2022: PointsBet Ohio Sportsbook releases a pre-registration promo code that offers a $500 pre-launch bonus plus a $200 bonus. Additionally, Bally Bet, Betway, Out the Gate and Underdog receive approvals as Ohio online sports betting operators. Unfortunately for PlayUp, the operator is denied a license due to alleged illegal gambling activity.
• Dec. 8, 2022: Kroger delays the launch of sports betting kiosks at each of its 42 locations until later in 2023.
• Dec. 6, 2022: AEG Presents and Tipico officially agree on a strategic partnership, as the latter becomes the exclusive sportsbook partner of AEG’s owned music locations such as Agora Theatre and KEMBA Live!.
• Dec. 1, 2022: Tipico Ohio Sportsbook makes its pre-launch bonuses live: a $250 deposit match or a $150 parlay bonus. The sportsbook adds a pre-launch bonus of $150 shortly thereafter. Elsewhere, betPARX and MVGBet withdraw management services provider applications for Ohio retail sports betting.
• Nov. 30, 2022: This date represents the final day for users to activate a $100 bonus via Hard Rock Ohio Sportsbook. From this point until Dec. 31, 2022, Ohio pre-registration accounts can activate a $50 bonus.
• Nov. 21, 2022: The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) details the state’s initial events and wagers per 2023. Considering the Jan. 1, 2023, launch date, certain big-time events will be missed, whereas others will be included post-launch.
• Nov. 17, 2022: SPIRE Institute receives conditional approval for two Ohio sports betting licenses, per Robert Linnehan.
• Nov. 16, 2022: BetFanatics, betr, BetParx and Gamewise are approved by the Ohio Casino Control Commission alongside two retail locations. Additionally, Progressive Field and Nationwide Arena are awarded retail betting licenses.
• Nov. 3, 2022: bet365 Ohio Sportsbook unveils a pre-registration offer resulting in a $100 pre-launch bonus. Elsewhere,
• Ohio Sportsbook adds to its already-live $100 pre-launch bonus by adding three free months of NBA League Pass.
• Nov. 2, 2022: BetMGM Ohio Sportsbook’s $200 pre-launch bonus is released for online sports bettors willing to register with the sports-betting app early (prior to Jan. 1, 2023). Also, five more operators are approved for mobile licenses: BetMGM, BetRivers, DraftKings, Hard Rock and Tipico.
• Oct. 27, 2022: The Caesars Sportsbook app is available for download (without betting) prior to the Jan. 1, 2023 launch of legal online sports betting in the state, the entity announced, in conjunction with a $100 pre-launch bonus.
• Oct. 24, 2022: A Casino Control Commission spokesperson announced that it’s “highly unlikely” the Cleveland Cavaliers will have the ability to launch online sports betting on Jan. 1, 2023, due to Fubo Sportsbook’s defunct nature.
• Oct. 19, 2022: Stark Enterprises applies for Type-A and Type-B Ohio sports betting licenses. Obviously, Stark Enterprises is unrelated to the fictional Marvel character Iron Man and is rather a real estate development company.
• Oct. 18, 2022: The NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers are suddenly left without a sports betting partner after Fubo Sportsbook closes shop a day prior, per Linnehan.
• Oct. 17, 2022: Both FanDuel and Barstool Sportsbook are on the agenda for licensure at Wednesday’s Casino Control Commission meeting. Additionally, DraftKings Ohio Sportsbook releases its $200 bonus.
• Oct. 11, 2022: Two of the big names in the state come together, as BetMGM and the MLB’s Cincinnati Reds agree on an Ohio sports betting partnership. Plans are included to make BetMGM the retail sportsbook at the Red’s home stadium, the Great American Ball Park.
• Oct. 5, 2022: Five more mobile sportsbooks are approved by the OCCC: bet365, Betfred, Caesars, PointsBet and SuperBook, all of which can launch on Jan. 1, 2023.
• Oct. 3, 2022: Caesars, PointsBet, bet365, Betfred and SuperBook represent five sportsbooks up for licensure and approved via the Casino Control Commission, per Linnehan.
• Oct. 1, 2022: FanDuel Ohio Sportsbook announces the state’s first pre-registration offer in the form of a $100
• -bonus. Ohio sports bettors can legally sign up with the sportsbook early (prior to Jan. 1, 2023) in order to capture an incremental $100.
• Sept. 21, 2022: A total of 10 operator applications are approved at an Ohio Casino Control Commission meeting. Among the 10 approved applications are the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Guardians, en route to partnering sportsbook operators.
• Sept. 7, 2022: The Ohio Casino Control Commission approves the first eight sportsbook licenses submitted.
• Sept. 6, 2022: Ten sports gaming proprietors will be up for licensure by the Ohio Casino Control Commission at Wednesday’s meeting.
• Aug. 26, 2022: Close to 800 retailers apply for a Type C license in Ohio.
• Aug. 22, 2022: WynnBET fails to submit its application during the first-skin window, making it possible that the operator is not guaranteed a spot for the Jan. 1, 2023 launch date. Additionally, 200 Type-C sports betting licenses are awarded in Ohio.
• Aug. 16, 2022: The Ohio Casino Control Commission is expected to give a final update on all of the applicants that are guaranteed to go live on Jan. 1 pending their successful application after its Wednesday meeting. Applications will still be accepted but there is no longer a guarantee to launch with everyone else.
• Aug. 25, 2022: Three operators, Betway, MaximBet and Prophet Exchange, apply for second-skin licenses in Ohio.
• Aug. 10, 2022: A total of 42 Kroger locations are pre-approved as Type-C Ohio sports betting operators.
• Aug. 8, 2022: The application deadline for operators to be guaranteed a Jan. 1, 2023, launch date is announced as Aug. 15, 2022.
• Aug. 3, 2022: Ohio sportsbooks can accept bets at midnight on Jan. 1, Casino Control Commission Executive Director Matt Schuler said. Also, about 1,000 restaurants/bars apply for Type-C sports betting licenses in Ohio.
• July 19, 2022: The BetRivers owner applies for a mobile sports betting license four days after the official July 15, 2022, deadline.
• July 18, 2022: It’s projected that Ohio could see close to 24 online sportsbooks go live on Jan. 1, 2023, courtesy of 22 Type-A applications that had been submitted.
• July 13, 2022: The Cincinnati Bengals and Betfred come together on an Ohio partnership.
• July 11, 2022: FanDuel, BetFanatics and the Cincinnati Bengals apply for sports betting licenses in Ohio, just four days ahead of the July 15, 2022, deadline.
• June 22, 2022: DraftKings applies for an Ohio mobile management services provider license, while JACK Cleveland Casino and JACK Thistledown Racino submit applications for Type-A and Type-B licenses.
• June 20, 2022: BetMGM applies for an Ohio sports betting license.
• June 16, 2022: PointsBet submits an application for a mobile services provider license in Ohio.
• June 15, 2022: Ohio officially opens its sports betting application window for online and retail operators. BetMGM becomes the first to submit applications for mobile management services provider and management services provider licenses, which cover both online (Type-A ) and retail (Type-B) licenses.
• June 1, 2022: OCCC announces that Ohio sports betting is expected to launch on Jan. 1, 2023.
• April 5, 2022: betJACK sports betting app launches in Ohio. Since it’s a free-to-play platform, betJACK provides prospective Ohio sports bettors a chance to experience what’s to come in the new year.
• March 16, 2022: betPARX and the PGA Tour agree on a partnership for a mobile sportsbook license in Ohio.
• Feb. 24, 2022: Caesars and the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers ink a deal to open a retail sportsbook within Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
• Dec. 22, 2021: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine officially signs HB29 into law, which guarantees the launch of legal sports betting by Jan. 1, 2023.

Ranking the top 9 Ohio sports betting sites, mobile apps and sportsbooks

These are our picks for the nine best legal online sportsbooks (and sports betting apps) that are live in Ohio:

1. ESPN BET Ohio Sportsbook app

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Soon to be launched in the Buckeye State, the ESPN BET Ohio promo code brings yet another fantastic sportsbook bonus into the fold. Now available following the Nov. 14, 2023, launch date the ESPN BET app now provides a sportsbook side to the worldwide leader in sports.

New users who sign up using the ESPN BET OH promo code linked on this page can make any bet and get a $250 bonus to get started in a winning way. However, it must be noted that users are required to enter promo code THELAND at sign up to secure the full $250 bonus.

2. DraftKings Ohio Sportsbook app

Many would argue that DraftKings Sportsbook is the best legal online sports betting app in the country. Cleveland.com is one of those who’d make that argument, as DraftKings Sportsbook is our preferred mobile sportsbook app choice.

DraftKings built a wildly successful daily fantasy sports app that cultivated quite the following. Now DraftKings Sportsbook has become a go-to sports-betting app in a number of states where online sports betting is legal.

DraftKings Sportsbook is currently offering a new-user promo in the form of a Bet $5, Get $150 bonus.

3. Caesars Ohio Sportsbook app

One of our top picks on this list is a sportsbook that has burst onto the scene over the past year or so.

Caesars Entertainment’s acquisition of William Hill PLC in early 2021 signaled a potentially industry-changing move. Caesars rebuilt its sportsbook app and launched in a number of states where the William Hill app had been available. More importantly, the company launched its new app in states where online sports betting became legal.

Caesars Sportsbook’s new-user promos have changed over time, but the book is offering Ohio sports bettors up to an incredible bet $50, get $250 bonus offer on Caesars for signing up.

The sportsbook also offers a wide array of odds boosts and has offered NFL and NBA jersey promos in the past. Either way, however, Ohio sports bettors should expect a mouthwatering new-user promo for when their state ultimately launches in full.

4. FanDuel Ohio Sportsbook app

FanDuel Sportsbook has an incredibly sleek, user-friendly app. One of the leaders in the legal online sports betting industry, FanDuel Sportsbook typically offers two new user promos.

The FanDuel Ohio promo code unlocks an offer to bet $5, and get $150 in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Additionally, all users will receive a daily Profit Boost, and users who bet on NBA moneylines will be eligible for three months of free NBA League Pass.

5. BetMGM Ohio Sportsbook app

The chances are solid that you have seen or heard a commercial featuring Jamie Foxx or Kevin Garnett touting “The King of Sportsbooks,” BetMGM.

The folks at BetMGM have a fantastic sports-betting app that features a large swath of daily odds boosts. The app is easy to navigate and the special Lion’s Boosts and other odds boosts are easy to find in each sports tab.

BetMGM is offering a cool $1,500 first-bet bonus in Ohio.

6. bet365 Ohio Sportsbook app

Those who have yet to see Jesse Pinkman touting bet365 as the “world’s favorite sportsbook” are simply missing out. Needless to say, Jesse Pinkman is a fictional character from the all-time great series “Breaking Bad.”

Similar to many senses in life, however, that fact matters very little, as, when the familiar commercial appears on the TV screen, Walter White’s younger sidekick cannot help but infiltrate the human mind.

The reality is pretty clear: The actor who plays Jesse Pinkman, Aaron Paul, is as real as bet365 Ohio Sportsbook’s eventual presence in the Buckeye State. For evidence, just look at the popular sports betting app’s sign-up offer of Bet $5, Get $150 bonus bets in Ohio.

7. Tipico Ohio Sportsbook app

For those who jumped into the fray throughout the first months of Ohio sports betting, Tipico is an intriguing challenger brand that offers competitive odds and a stellar portfolio of new and returning player offers.

8. Betfred Ohio Sportsbook app

Not to be overlooked, Betfred Ohio Sportsbook’s pre-launch promo that resulted in a Bet $50, Get $111 offer (prior to Dec. 31, 2022) was yet another option for Ohio sports gamblers looking to accomplish things in the correct and legal fashion.

Although Betfred is not as widely available as many of the other sportsbooks, Ohio sports bettors can snag a $111 bonus plus a $1,000 bet by signing up today.

Other notable Ohio sportsbooks

Of course, the above six will not be operating in Ohio without more competition. Considering there are up to 67 licenses available, Ohio is expected to boast an incredible number of online sports betting apps and sportsbooks once the state officially launches online sports gambling.

Some of the other notable sportsbooks to watch out for are the following (in no particular order):

• SuperBook Ohio sportsbook app
• Bally Bet Ohio Sportsbook app
• BetFanatics Ohio Sportsbook app
• BetRivers Ohio Sportsbook app

Of the notable Ohio sportsbooks, the new-user bonus to pounce on is SuperBook’s incredible $1,000 new-player bonus. While this operator is still unknown in the vast majority of the country, SuperBook is introducing itself in an exciting way in Ohio.

States that already have legal online sports betting

Legal online sports betting has made its way into quite a few states, including four of Ohio’s neighbors.

Although bettors in Ohio can now legally lay down bets in the Buckeye State, they could have started prior to Jan. 1, 2023, by crossing into Pennsylvania, Michigan, Indiana or West Virginia.

The followings list comprises the states that have already turned on the lights for online sports betting apps:

• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Louisiana
• Maryland
• Michigan
• New Jersey
• New York
• Massachusetts
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• Tennessee
• Virginia
• West Virginia
• Wyoming

Other states to launch in 2023 include Massachusetts, whose legal sports betting details are broken down at MassLive.

Perhaps the best way to think about the legalization of Ohio sports betting is something we have already touched on a bit: The Cleveland sports fans’ long championship wait.

Sure, the Cincinnati Reds’ 1990 World Series championship takes care of that city, at least to a marginal thirst-quenching level, and the Ohio State Buckeyes have collected two NCAA National Championships (2002 and 2014) in this century, but Cincy and Columbus surely are not Cleveland.

The good sports folks of Cleveland suffered through multiple decades of a championship-less desert. The Cleveland Browns NFL championship of 1964 represented the city’s last title for a cool 52 years. Season after season, no matter the sport, professional Cleveland sports teams would enter a season full of hope and promise, only to fall flat on its face.

Whether it came in the form of the Nick Price-led Cleveland Cavaliers, Albert Belle-led Cleveland Guardians, or the Bernie Kosar-led Cleveland Browns (hello, John Elway and the Denver Broncos), the lunch-pail, blue-collar and down-to-Earth good people of Cleveland endured hardship and scar on a routine basis.

That was until Ohio’s own LeBron James decided to come home.

In 2016, in his second season back with the Cavs, after enjoying a four-year run with the Miami Heat, LeBron’s squad shocked the NBA world by overcoming a 3-1 NBA Finals series deficit against Stephen Curry’s 73-win Golden State Warriors. Suddenly, the answer to an age-old Cleveland sports trivia question had been realized: “Which Cleveland sports team broke the championship drought?”

The answer: LeBron James’s 2015-16 Cleveland Cavaliers.

Of course, James would eventually leave Cleveland in order to take his talents to Hollywood, but the city will always feel indebted to the man the kids call King James on the NBA hardwood.

And this is how the Ohio sports bettor should view the legalization of legal sports gambling in the state: It has finally come to fruition.

The Ohio sports betting sign-up process

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Registration

Now that Ohio has launched in full, bettors will need to meet a number of criteria to sign up.

As outlined in House Bill 29, bettors must verify their location within the state’s borders, as well as their age. Bettors will also need to provide their:

• Full legal name
• Residential address
• Phone number
• Date of birth
• Social security number
• Email address
• Credit or debit card number

Transactional process

Once the Ohio online sports bettor is registered, next comes the transactional process---how one’s funds are processed in and out of the system.

Bettors need to be at least 21 years of age and be located in Ohio to wager on sports.

Deposit methods

Assuming legal online sportsbooks launch in Ohio, there should be a number of deposit methods available. These methods include:

• Online banking
• Wire transfer
• Credit or debit card
• PayPal
• Cash at Cage
• Prepaid cards

Typically, online banking is viewed as the safest and fastest way to add funds to a legal online sportsbook account.

Bet-types available

After registration and the money is out of the way, it’s time to get to the good stuff: deciding on where to smack your money on the proverbial online table.

Plenty of options are expected for bettors looking to wager on sports. There are plenty of bet types available---between all of the mobile sports betting apps that have launched---which include:

• Moneyline: Select the team or player you believe will win the game.
• Point spread: Choose the number of points that will separate the teams involved in the game of your choice. Most sportsbooks allow bettors to select alternate point spreads, which changes the odds.
• Total points: Decide if the total points scored line in a game will finish over or under the established line. This is often made available for sliding as well, giving users the chance to alter the odds.
• Prop bets: These are team or player bets that are based on different potential outcomes. This can include points, rebounds, assists, touchdowns scored, and more for player props. Team props give users the opportunity to choose which team will be the first to reach a certain total.
• Teasers: Add points in your favor on a wager consisting of two or more legs.
• Parlays: A multi-leg bet that can be placed on various games, consisting of game, team, and player prop bets.
• Same-game parlays: Offered by many sportsbooks, allowing users to combine prop bets from the same game into one bet with longer odds.
• In-game betting: Similar to pregame betting, but tied to upcoming events in a game that’s already in progress.
• Futures: Select a player or team to win a certain number of games or specific awards.

Available sports to bet

Of course, the variety of sports action is another matter altogether. There are a plethora of sports and leagues available to bet on in a number of states.

Bettors can wager on domestic and international games. Ohio sports bettors can also wager on baseball, basketball, boxing, cricket, darts, football, hockey, MMA, racing, soccer, tennis and more.

Ohio sports betting legal history and timeline

The legalization of Ohio online sports betting has been something of a roller-coaster for prospective bettors in the Buckeye State.

Originally tacked onto a Senate Bill that didn’t get approved in time in 2021, sports betting ended up being proposed as part of House Bill 29, which was eventually signed into law prior to the end of 2021.

• Feb. 3, 2021: House Bill 29 introduced to the House
• Feb. 4, 2021: HB29 referred to Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committee
• March 4, 2021: HB29 reported by Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committee
• March 10, 2021: HB29 passed by the House
• March 17, 2021: HB 29 referred to the Veterans and Public Safety Committee in the Senate
• May 6, 2021: Senate Bill 176 introduced to the Senate
• May 12, 2021: SB176 referred to the Select Committee on Gaming
• June 2, 2021: HB29 reported by the Veterans and Public Safety Committee
• June 16, 2021: SB176 reported-substitute by the Select Committee on Gaming
• June 16, 2021: SB176 passed and amended by the Senate
• June 17, 2021: SB176 introduced to the House
• June 22, 2021: SB176 referred to the Finance Committee
• June 24, 2021: HB29 informally passed by the Senate
• June 24, 2021: HB29 passed and amended by the Senate
• June 28, 2021: House refused to concur with Senate amendments to HB29
• Sept. 21, 2021: Senate insists on amendments related to HB29 and asked for the committee of conference
• Oct. 6, 2021: Conference managers selected for Conference Committee on HB 29
• Dec. 8, 2021: Senate agreed to report from Conference Committee on HB29
• Dec. 8, 2021: House agreed to report from Conference Committee on HB29
• Dec. 8, 2021: HB29 set to go effective March 23, 2022
• Dec. 22, 2021: Governor Mike DeWine signed HB29 into law
• Jan. 1, 2023: Ohio sports betting goes live at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Day

The introduction of House Bill 29

The Ohio House and Senate each worked on separate bills in 2021 that were intended to pave the way for Ohio sports betting. House Bill 29 was the first bit of legislation introduced in February 2021.

After being referred to the Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committee, the House ultimately passed the bill on March 10, 2021. One week later, HB29 was referred to the Veterans and Public Safety Committee of the Senate.

Senate Bill 176

Nearly two months later, the Senate introduced Senate Bill 176. This bill was then referred to the Select Committee on Gaming before being passed and amended a month later. In the meantime, House Bill 29 was reported by the Veterans and Public Safety Committee.

It appeared that Senate Bill 176 could have been set to replace HB29. The Senate approved SB176, which was then sent to the House and referred to the Finance Committee.

Focus Shifts to House Bill 29

Just two days later, the Senate informally passed HB29 with proposed amendments. On June 28, 2021, the House refused to agree to the Senate’s amendments before breaking for a summer recess.

Once the House and Senate reconvened, a Conference Committee on HB29 was established, leading to the House and Senate approving the legislation.

Sports betting signed into law

On Dec. 22, 2021, Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 29 into law, legalizing sports betting in the Buckeye State. At the time, no sportsbooks or brick-and-mortar locations had agreed to partnerships, though the belief was that those details would be hammered out in 2022.

What’s in the law?

As part of House Bill 29, three types of sports betting licenses were proposed. Type A online sports betting licenses must be tied to any of the Buckeye State’s casinos or racinos or professional sports teams. Type B licenses can be issued to future brick-and-mortar sportsbooks.

Type C licenses can be issued to allow for sports betting kiosks inside of retail establishments with a D-class liquor license.

The law allows for a total of 67 licenses, including 25 online sports betting licenses and another 42 licenses for retail sportsbooks. The key thing to keep in mind is that a casino, racino, or pro sports team could conceivably apply for a Type A and Type B license.

For example, if the Cleveland Cavaliers were to partner with an online sportsbook and establish a brick-and-mortar sportsbook inside of Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, they’d need one of each license to do so.

Ohio sports betting state details

It’s pretty easy to understand why Ohio is abuzz at the moment, as it’s set to become one of the craziest and most fruitful legal online sports betting launches of all time.

Similar to New York and other big-time states, Ohio boasts an impressive resume that makes it perfect for legal sports gambling. This is exactly why the anticipation continues increasing in a way that shatters the ceiling.

Notable Ohio sports teams

Not only does Ohio have two NFL teams, the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals, but it also features two MLB clubs, the Cleveland Guardians and Cincinnati Reds.

In fact, the sports fan would be hard-pressed to name many states with more professional sports teams than Ohio. The obvious ones are New York, California and Florida, but Ohio firmly belongs in that second-tier of states that boasts an incredible number of respected organizations.

Of course, nobody could rattle off notable Ohio sports teams and leave out the Ohio State Buckeyes, one of the greatest college football programs in the history of the NCAA.

Notable Ohio players

Housing a plethora of sports teams means that the star power will be out in full force, year-round.

Whether it’s Nick Chubb and Deshaun Watson of the Cleveland Browns, Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals, or the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell, or even the Cleveland Guardians’ Shane Bieber, Ohio is also rich with players.

Lastly, who could forget Guardians’ slugger Jose Ramirez, who was aptly named the 2018 fantasy baseball MVP by DraftKings?

Potential Ohio tax revenue

There is no denying the fact that a massive amount of tax revenue is expected to be generated by sports betting. Neighboring states have seen incredible handles in recent months.

In January 2022, Pennsylvania pulled in a handle of nearly $794 million, which generated just over $53.4 million in revenue. Michigan brought in a total handle of just under $533 million in January 2022, which generated $36.6 million in revenue. Indiana, meanwhile, brought in a total handle of just over $500 million, generating nearly $35.6 million in revenue.

While neighbor state West Virginia’s total handle of nearly $58.9 million is a far cry from the other states listed here, it still saw a total of over $4 million in revenue generated. Given the size of the Ohio sports betting market, it stands to reason that the Buckeye State could pull in a handle of over $500 million in the first month of sports betting.

Sportsbook retail locations and partnerships in Ohio

Those new to the legalized sports betting process may be stunned to find out that gambling online, from the comfort of your smartphone, is not the only way to roll.

Similar to nearly every other legal sports wagering state, Ohio expects to feature a host of retail locations with online sportsbooks ready to take action.

Understanding the online sportsbook deals already in place helps us dig through the muck en route to the light at the end of the retail-sports-betting tunnel.

The following table comprises deals already in place in which the Ohio online sports gambling operator has already submitted a license to the state (in alphabetical order):

Belterra Park Cincinnati

• Website
• Twitter: @BelterraPark
• Instagram: @belterrapark
• Facebook: @BelterraPark
• Address: 6301 Kellogg Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45230
• Contact Phone #: (513) 232-8000
• Mobile App: iOS (App Store) and Android (GooglePlay)
• Review at TripAdvisor

Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs

• Website
• Twitter: @EldoradoScioto
• Instagram: @eldoradoscioto
• Facebook: @SciotoDowns
• Address: 6000 S High St., Columbus, OH 43207
• Contact Phone #: (614) 295-4700
• Mobile App: iOS (App Store) and Android (GooglePlay)
• Review at TripAdvisor

Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati

• Website
• Twitter: @Hardrock_Cincy
• Instagram: @hardrock_cincinnati
• Facebook: @hrcasinocincy
• Address: 1000 Broadway St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
• Contact Phone #: (513) 250-3150
• Mobile App: iOS (App Store) and Android (GooglePlay)
• Review at TripAdvisor

Hollywood Casino Columbus

• Website
• Twitter: @HollywoodCbus
• Instagram: @hollywoodcolumbus
• Facebook: @HollywoodColumbus
• Address: 200 Georgesville Rd., Columbus, OH 43228
• Contact Phone #: (614) 308-3333
• Review at TripAdvisor

Hollywood Casino Toledo

• Website
• Twitter: @HollywoodToledo
• Instagram: @hollywoodtoledo
• Facebook: @HollywoodToledo
• Address: 1968 Miami St., Toledo, OH 43605
• Contact Phone #: (419) 661-5200
• Review at TripAdvisor

Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway

• Website
• Twitter: @HollywoodDayton
• Instagram: @hollywooddayton
• Facebook: @HollywoodDaytonRaceway
• Address: 777 Hollywood Blvd., Dayton, OH 45414
• Contact Phone #: (937) 235-7800
• Review at TripAdvisor

Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course

• Website
• Twitter: @HollywoodMVRC
• Instagram: @hollywoodmvrc
• Facebook: @HollywoodMVRC
• Address: 655 N. Canfield Niles Rd., Austintown, OH 44515
• Contact Phone #: (877) 788-3777
• Review at TripAdvisor

Jack Cleveland Casino

• Website
• Twitter: @JACKCleCasino
• Instagram: @jackclecasino
• Facebook: @JackCleCasino
• Address: 100 Public Square, Cleveland, OH 44113
• Contact Phone #: (216) 297-4777
• Mobile App: iOS (App Store) and Android (GooglePlay)
• Review at TripAdvisor

Jack Thistledown Racino

• Website
• Twitter: @JACKThistledown
• Instagram: @jackthistledown
• Facebook: @ThistledownRacino
• Address: 21501 Emery Rd., North Randall, OH 44128
• Contact Phone #: (216) 662-8600
• Mobile App: iOS (App Store) and Android (GooglePlay)
• Review at TripAdvisor

MGM Northfield Park Casino

• Website
• Twitter: @MGMNorthfield
• Instagram: @mgmnorthfield
• Facebook: @MGMNorthfield
• Address: 10777 Northfield Rd, Northfield, OH 44067
• Contact Phone #: (330) 908-7625
• Mobile App: iOS (App Store) and Android (GooglePlay)
• Review at TripAdvisor

Miami Valley Gaming

• Website
• Twitter: @MVGOHIO
• Instagram: @miamivalleygaming
• Facebook: @miamivalleygaming
• Address: 6000 OH-63, Lebanon, OH 45036
• Contact Phone #: (513) 934-7070
• Mobile App: iOS (App Store) and Android (GooglePlay)
• Review at TripAdvisor

Ohio sports betting FAQ

Is sports betting legal In Ohio?

Yes: Sports betting was signed into law on Dec. 22, 2021, by Governor Mike DeWine.

Is Ohio sports betting fully operational and live for online use?

Yes: Ohio sports betting is now live in a fully-operational and live fashion. Sports betting in the Buckeye State received the green light on Jan. 1, 2023, at 12:01 a.m. ET.

What eligibility requirements are in place for Ohio bettors?

At least 21 years of age and located within Ohio state limits: Any prospective sports bettor must be at least 21 years old and be physically located within Ohio state limits (geographically).

How many Sportsbooks will launch in Ohio?

Up to 67: As outlined in House Bill 29, there are set to be 67 licenses available. Twenty-five of those licenses are reserved for online sports betting, while 42 are up for grabs for retail sportsbook locations. Many of the recognizable sports betting brands such as DraftKings Sportsbook, Caesars Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook, Barstool Sportsbook and BetMGM Sportsbook are all set to launch the first day it’s possible to do so.

Where can bettors wager on sports?

Online and retail via legal sportsbooks: Ohio sports bettors can wager via online sportsbook apps, as well as in-person at retail sportsbooks and kiosks.

21+ and present in OH. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.