Ohio Sports Betting Is One Month Away — Here’s What to Expect at Launch
David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images. Pictured: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Legal Ohio sports betting is exactly one month away.
As soon as the calendar flips to 2023, Buckeye State bettors will be able to place their wagers as Ohio retail and online sports betting is set to go live at midnight on Jan. 1.
Ohio's launch will come a little more than one month after Maryland online sports betting went live. But unlike Maryland, which had the longest go-live period in U.S. sports betting history, Ohio will launch within a year of legalizing it. Gov. Mike DeWine signed HB 29 into law on Dec. 22, 2021.
Ohio's dense population, numerous professional and college teams, along with operator-friendly rules, is expected to make it one of the top markets in the country. Ohio is the fourth-most populated state that will offer legalized sports betting and the seventh-most populated state in the U.S. overall.
As many as 18 online sportsbooks could launch in Ohio when betting goes live on the first day of the New Year. Currently, the apps expected to launch on the first day of legal sports betting are:
Ohio's launch will occur just in time for one of the busiest months on the sports calendar. Bettors will be able to place wagers on marquee college football bowl games, the College Football Playoff National Championship, the NFL Playoffs, the Australian Open, and much more.
Current Ohio Sports Betting Pre-Registration Offers & Sports Betting Partnerships
Ohio sports bettors cannot legally place wagers with their sportsbook(s) of choice, but they can get a head start on signing up so that they're prepared when sports betting launches at the turn of the New Year.
Here are some of the current pre-registration offers by Ohio sportsbooks::
BetMGM
The King of Sportsbooks secured a partnership in October with the Great American Ball Park, home of the Cincinnati Reds. The sportsbook location will be ready sometime in 2023 and operate year-round.
Starting in 2023, users can place their sports bets online and at the MGM Northfield Park Casino.
Promo: Use BetMGM bonus code ACTIONOHIO to earn $200 free.
FanDuel
FanDuel secured its own partnership with Belterra Park in Cincinnati. This casino is located right on the border of Kentucky along the Ohio River.
This is great news for many Kentucky residents who can take a short trip to Belterra Park or southwestern Ohio (from northeastern Kentucky) to place their bets.
Promo: No FanDuel bonus code is required to $100 free at signup plus three free months of NBA League Pass.
Caesars
The Cleveland Cavaliers secured a multi-year partnership with the Caesars earlier this year. Additionally, the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse sportsbook location is expected to be completed and operational by early 2023 so fans can bet in-person on their exciting Cavs team during the NBA season.
Additionally, Caesars owns Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs in Columbus. This location is also the first racino in the Buckeye State.
Promo: Use Caesars Sportsbook promo code ACTION22TIXto claim $100 when you register as well as weekly Cleveland Cavaliers ticket giveaways.
bet365
International sportsbook bet365 secured a deal with the Cleveland Guardians in September. As of now, this is an online-only partnership so it is unclear whether the Guardians will pursue building a sportsbook at Progressive Field in the future.
Promo: Use bet365 bonus code ACTION to earn $100 in bet credits when you register for the first time.
Other Notable Ohio Sports Betting Partnerships
- Bally Bet and Cleveland Browns
- Barstool and Hollywood Casino Columbus
- Betfred and Cincinnati Bengals
- betJACK and JACK Casino & JACK Thistledown Racino
- betPARX and Memorial Tournament (hosted by the PGA Tour)
- Hard Rock and Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati
- SuperBook and FC Cincinnati
- Tipico and Columbus Crew FC
Four casinos will their doors for in-person sports betting on New Year's Day, including the Hollywood Casino Columbus, which is the largest gaming location in the state's capital. The other three are the Hollywood Casino Toledo, the Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati, and the JACK Cleveland Casino.
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