Ohio Sports Betting Filled With Applicants on Last Day of Early Launch Deadline

Ohio Sports Betting Filled With Applicants on Last Day of Early Launch Deadline article feature image
Credit:

Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images. Pictured: Paul Brown Stadium.

Ohio could ring in the new year with at least 20 different online sports betting apps.

Over a dozen fresh applications rolled in last week, ahead of Friday's deadline for online sports betting licenses and mobile management service providers to register with the Ohio Casino Control Commission.

New players like Underdog Fantasy and Instabet joined an existing list of applicants, that includes familiar faces such as BetMGM and DraftKings.

"Friday was incredible," said Jessica Franks, Director of Communications for the Ohio Casino Control Commission. "We're going to start to dig and evaluate."

Applications will still be accepted, though by missing the initial June 15-July 15 window, entities won't be guaranteed a launch by Jan. 1, 2023 — the universal start date.

Approvals will likely be announced during one of the commission's meetings, Franks said.

Assuming each professional sports franchise, casino and racetrack that applied for a Type A (online) license gets approved, there are still three spots open.

All of the Latest Sports Betting Legalization News

Room for Plenty More Online Providers

Most have already inked at least one partnership with an online provider to bring their mobile apps to Ohio, though spots are now open for secondary partners to apply.

The first 21 approved online license holders can partner with two providers if they wish. The next four will be limited to one partnership each, setting the maximum number of mobile sportsbooks allowed in the state at 46.

Type-A Sports Gaming Proprietor1st Mobile Management Services Provider
JACK Cleveland Casino, LLCPlayUp Interactive OH Inc.
JACK Thistledown Racino, LLCN/A
HOF Village Newco, LLC (Pro Football Hall of Fame)Instabet Inc.
Cincinnati Bengals, Inc.Betfred Sports (Ohio) LLC
Northfield Park Associates LLC (MGM Northfield Park)BetMGM LLC
Scioto Downs, Inc.American Wagering, Inc. (William Hill/Caesars)
Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati, LLCSeminole Hard Rock Digital, LLC
Cleveland Browns Football Company LLCBally’s Interactive, LLC
COLHOC Limited Partnership (Columbus Blue Jackets)FBG Enterprises Opco LLC (Fanatics)
Crew SC Stadium Company, LLCTipico Ohio, LLC
MVGC Subsidiary, Inc. (Muirfield Village Golf Club)Parx Interactive Ohio, Inc.
The Cincinnati Reds LLCUnderdog Sports Wagering, LLC
Cavaliers Operating Company, LLCFubo Gaming Inc.
Central Ohio Gaming Ventures, LLC (Hollywood Casino Columbus)Penn Sports Interactive, LLC (Barstool)
Cleveland Guardians Baseball Company, LLCHillside Ohio LLC (bet365)
Dayton Real Estate Ventures, LLC (Hollywood Gaming Dayton Raceway)N/A
PNK (Ohio), Inc. (Belterra Park)N/A
Toledo Gaming Ventures, LLC (Hollywood Casino Toledo)Crown Ohio Gaming, LLC (DraftKings)
Youngstown Real Estate Ventures, LLC (Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley)PointsBet Ohio, LLC
FC Cincinnati Holdings, LLCSBOpco, LLC (SuperBook)
Geneva Sports LLC (SPIRE Institute)Out the Gate Inc.
Miami Valley Gaming and Racing LLCN/A

Online sports betting license holders must also hold a Type B license, which allows them to partner with operators running a physical sportsbook.

The Ohio Casino Control Commission received 24 Type B applications by Friday. By law, there's room for 16 more.


Sports Teams, Fireworks Company Apply for Retail Sportsbooks

As expected, most of Ohio's professional sports teams applied, which means they'd have their own retail sportsbooks at their stadiums.

Each team has already inked partnerships with providers.

TeamRetail Provider
Cleveland BrownsBallyBet
Cincinnati BengalsBetfred
Cleveland CavaliersWilliam Hill/Caesars
Cincinnati RedsBetMGM
Cleveland GuardiansFanatics
Columbus Blue JacketsFanatics
FC CincinnatiSuperBook

The Columbus Crew applied for an online license but were not listed under the Commission's announced Type B applicants as of Friday. They have a mobile management service provider deal in place with Tipico Sportsbook.

Phantom Fireworks, a national fireworks retailer based in Youngstown, Ohio, applied as well. They've yet to announce their partner.


Kiosk Applications Open

A secondary window is now open for lottery-licensed establishments looking to install sports betting kiosks.

Those will be available to bars, restaurants, supermarkets, grocery stores and any establishment with a class-D liquor license. The commission is expecting thousands to apply.

Kiosks have become a popular option in legal jurisdictions like the District of Columbia, where online betting is much more limited. They have much smaller betting limits than their retail book counterparts but are relatively cheap to operate, which should make them attractive for small businesses.

There will be 20 licenses reserved for retail gaming companies, four of which have already applied.

The window for lottery-licensed establishments to apply runs through Aug. 15.

The must-have app for bettors

The best betting scoreboard

Free picks from proven pros

Live win probabilities for your bets

How would you rate this article?

This site contains commercial content. We may be compensated for the links provided on this page. The content on this page is for informational purposes only. Action Network makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event.