Ohio Sports Betting

⚖️ Is sports betting legal in Ohio?	Yes, sports betting is live and legal in Ohio. You can place bets online and in person.
💸 What are the requirements to bet online?	You have to be 21+ years of age and physically in OH (verifiable by your mobile device's geolocation tech, or a downloadable desktop plugin) to place wagers.
📒 What sportsbooks are available to bet with now that betting is live in Ohio?	bet365, Fanatics Sportsbook, BetMGM, DraftKings, Caesars, theScore Bet, Betr, FanDuel, Hard Rock Bet, and betJACK.
🏈 What sports can I bet on in OH?	You are able to bet on all the major American league sports (NFL, NBA, MLB, MLS, NHL), college sports (except college player props) and more such as European basketball leagues, cricket, and rugby.

Gambling problem? Call 1-800 GAMBLER

Ohio features all of the top legal sportsbooks on the market. Be sure to carefully research each one to determine which is the right fit for your sports betting needs. Here are the top Ohio sportsbooks and bonus codes, which you can learn more about by reading our best Ohio sports betting apps review.

Sportsbook	Current Promotion
Fanatics Sportsbook	Bet $20, Get $350 in FanCash! OR Get Up To $1000 Matched in FanCash!
BetMGM Sportsbook	Get up to $1,500 Back in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Doesn't Win! OR Get Up To $1,000 In No Sweat Tokens Over 10 Days Promotion!
bet365	Bet $10, Get $200 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose! OR Get a First Bet Safety Net up to $1,000 in Bonus Bets!
DraftKings	Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets!
FanDuel	Get $250 in Bonus Bets!
Caesars Sportsbook	Bet $1+, Double Your Winnings Your Next 10 Wagers!
theScore Bet	Bet Reset up to $1000!
Betr Sportsbook	Sign Up at Betr Today!

Fanatics Sportsbook

Nationwide Arena. Fanatics put considerable effort into their sports betting app, with a mobile platform that regularly outclasses most others here. Better still, their FanCash helps them stand above the rest.

Their in-house currency FanCash can be turned into Fanatics merchandise, hats, jerseys and much, much more. This can end up being a real benefit if you back Ohio sports teams and then want to buy some team gear.

Fanatics Promos

1) Bet $20, Get $350 in FanCash!

2) Get Up To $1000 Matched in FanCash!

Fanatics Promo Code

1) ACTION350

2) ACTION26

Action Network Score

9.8/10. See our Fanatics Sportsbook Promo Code for more in-depth information about Fanatics and step-by-step instructions on how to sign up.

Terms & Conditions

_{1) New customers in AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, WY. Must toggle on this promotion in your bet slip and wager $20+ cash on any market (min. odds -500) within 7 days of account opening to receive $50 in FanCash each day for your first 7 days. Must opt in each day to claim FanCash. FanCash issued in connection with this Promotion expire 24 hours from issuance. Terms apply-see Fanatics Sportsbook app.}

_{2) New customers in AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, WY. Apply promotion in bet slip and place a $1+ cash wager (min odds -200) daily for 10 consecutive days starting day of account creation. FanCash rewards will equal the qualifying wager amount (max $100 FanCash/day). FanCash issued under this promotion expires at 11:59 p.m. ET 7 days from issuance. Terms, incl. FanCash terms, apply—see Fanatics Sportsbook app.}

BetMGM Sportsbook

BetMGM brings Ohio sports bettors a deep in-play menu, strong live same-game parlays, and the only book running a year-round retail operation attached to an Ohio MLB club, at The Banks beside Great American Ball Park. All players can also earn MGM Rewards points, which can carry real value if you use MGM properties.

Despite this, they rarely have the best price on any Ohio market, and live market price locks run longer than at FanDuel or bet365, but it is still a good option for an account, particularly if you frequent Vegas or Atlantic City.

BetMGM Promo

1) Get up to $1,500 Back in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Doesn't Win!

2) Get Up To $1,000 In No Sweat Tokens Over 10 Days Promotion!

BetMGM Bonus Code

1) AN1500

2) TANGET

Action Network Score

9.8/10. See our BetMGM Ohio Bonus Code and review for more in-depth information about BetMGM and step-by-step instructions on how to sign up.

Category	Star Rating
Bonuses & Promotions
Mobile App & Website
Registering & Cashiering
Betting Options
BetMGM vs Other Sportsbooks

BetMGM Terms & Conditions

_{1) 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. AZ, CO, DC, IA, IL, IN, LA, KS, KY, MA, MD, NC, OH, TN, VA, WY. Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-470 (KS, NV), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA). First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. This promotional offer is not available in MS, NY, NV, ON, PR, MI, NJ, PA, or WV. Visit BetMGM.com for Terms & Conditions.}

_{2) 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA). Please Gamble Responsibly. Visit BetMGM.com for Terms & Conditions. New player offer for new players only. Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. This promotional offer is not available in NJ, MA, MI, NV, NY, ON, PA, PR, and WV.}

bet365 Sportsbook

The Guardians' exclusive mobile partner and the strongest live-betting product in the state. Fast in-play odds and market turnaround, combined with one of the widest in-play menus, is what makes this work for players. The bet365 Early Payout is also excellent, resolving wagers as winners should the backed team clear a points or run threshold.

However, it lacks the range of players in Ohio, which contributes to less competitive pricing than the others on some markets. Yet a range of markets, and excellent sports betting promotions for all players and not just the new ones, helps them stand out from the crowd.

bet365 Promo

1) Bet $10, Get $200 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose!

OR

2) Get a First Bet Safety Net up to $1,000 in Bonus Bets!

bet365 Bonus Code

Click to claim the code TAN365

Terms & Conditions

1) Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Must be 21+ and physically present where bet365 operates. Please gamble responsibly. New customers only. Place qualifying bets of $10 or more to get $200 in Bonus Bets. Deposit required. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable and expire 7 days after receipt. Bonus bet wager excluded from returns. Time limits, min. Odds, and T&Cs apply. This code is used for marketing and tracking purposes only. Void where prohibited. Not eligible in IL, IN, TN, & WV.

2) $10 min deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New Customers Only. T&Cs, time limits, and exclusions apply. 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (AZ, CO, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). Place a qualifying bet of up to $1000 to be eligible for a matched refund in Bonus Bets if your qualifying bet loses. This code is used for marketing and tracking purposes only.

 

Action Network Score

9/10. See our bet365 Ohio Bonus Code and review for more sportsbook details and step-by-step instructions on how to sign up.

Category	Star Rating
Bonuses & Promotions
Mobile App & Website
Registering & Cashiering
Betting Options
bet365 vs Other Sportsbooks

DraftKings

DraftKings offers one of the deepest menus in Ohio. More alternate lines, more secondary props, broader coverage of second-tier competitions and the strongest same-game parlay builder. Ohio users will frequently find the best price on Ohio team markets here as well.

The SGP builder hides the odds on individual legs, so you cannot see which one is carrying the margin, and the app is busier than it needs to be. The best book in Ohio for anyone who is looking to go a bit deeper when wagering, with the options and prices to match, even if the app trails a touch behind sometimes.

DraftKings Promo

Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets!

DraftKings Promo Code

No code needed!

Action Network Score

9.2/10. See our DraftKings Promo Code and review for more in-depth information about DraftKings and step-by-step instructions on how to sign up.

Category	Star Rating
Bonuses & Promotions
Mobile App & Website
Registering & Cashiering
Betting Options
DraftKings vs Other Sportsbooks

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/NH/PR/WY). Void in CAN. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $150 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets. Stake removed from payout. Reward issued as $50 in Bonus Bets every 7 days via click-to-claim for 14 days. Bonus Bets and click-to-claims expire 7 days (168hrs) after issuance. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 10/18/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.

FanDuel Sportsbook

Ohio's sports betting leader in most months and the easiest app in the state to use well. Fast bet slip entry, reliable cash-out, quick withdrawals, and a parlay builder that shows you what you are buying.

Market depth is slightly thinner than DraftKings' past the headline markets, but its Ohio player count was the highest of any major book in December 2025. FanDuel brings out the polished sports betting experience. The best single account in Ohio, and the choice if you only ever want one.

FanDuel Promo 

Get $250 in Bonus Bets!

FanDuel Promo Code

There is no promo code required to claim the FanDuel offer.

Action Network Score

9.6/10. See our FanDuel Ohio Promo Code and review for more in-depth information about FanDuel and step-by-step instructions on how to sign up.

Category	Star Rating
Bonuses & Promotions
Mobile App & Website
Registering & Cashiering
Betting Options
FanDuel vs Other Sportsbooks

FanDuel Terms & Conditions

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ D.C., WY) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). First online real money wager only. Min $5 wager required for 5 consecutive days. $5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 5 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Call 1-877-770-7867 (LA).

Caesars Sportsbook

Caesars runs the retail books at Eldorado Scioto Downs and MGM Northfield Park, despite the MGM naming here. As with BetMGM, Ohio players can make great use of Caesars Rewards, a genuine loyalty program with so many properties in the state.

Some drawbacks stem from the fact their withdrawals are consistently slower than FanDuel, DraftKings or bet365. However, for retail and traveling fans the rewards system alongside some very competitive pricing, courtesy of their US-wide presence, makes them well worth an account.

Caesars Sportsbook Promo

Bet $1+, Double Your Winnings Your Next 10 Wagers!

Caesars Sportsbook Promo Code

ACTION22DYW

Caesars Sportsbook Terms & Conditions

Must be 21+ and physically present in AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, or Washington, DC. New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. Min. qualifying bet amount: $1. Tokens max. bet amount: $25 per token. Tokens bet max. add'l winnings: $2,500 per token. Token(s) expire 14 days after receipt. Not reissued for voided/pushed bets. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Know When To Stop Before You Start®. Gambling Problem? CO, IL, KY, MD, MI, MO, NJ, TN, VA, WV, WY, KS, ME, NC, PA: If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER ( 1-800-426-2537 ) or MD: visit mdgamblinghelp.org or WV: visit 1800gambler.net; AZ: Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP; IN: Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT; IA: Call 1-800-BETSOFF; LA, Washington, DC: Call 1-800-MY-RESET. ©2026, Caesars Entertainment

Action Network Score

9.3/10. See our Caesars Sportsbook Ohio Promo Code and review for more in-depth information about Caesars and step-by-step instructions on how to sign up.

Category	Star Rating
Bonuses & Promotions
Mobile App & Website
Registering & Cashiering
Betting Options
Caesars vs Other Sportsbooks

theScore Bet

theScore Bet is known by Ohio bettors even if they don't realize it. It replaced ESPN BET here on December 1, 2025. theScore Bet comes in with some of the fastest markets around, marked with a lightning bolt icon inside the live menu, sitting alongside live streaming and SGP+. Because the book is wired directly into theScore media app, the stats you need to price a next-play market are one tap away rather than one app away.

The catch is depth. The in-play menu still doesn't match FanDuel or DraftKings, and the coverage concentrates on marquee games, so a Tuesday night Guardians or Cavs game won't carry the same granularity as a national window. It's also mobile-only, with no full desktop sportsbook.

theScore Bet Promo

Bet Reset up to $1000!

theScore Bet Bonus Code 

TANBONUS 

Terms and Conditions

New users only, 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Must be physically present in AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MO, NC, OH, TN, and VA in order to wager. Players must sign up using a specified Promotion code and then place an Eligible Wager on an Eligible Game during the Promotion Period. Please Gamble Responsibly.

Action Network Score

8.8/10. See our theScore Bet Promo Code and review for more in-depth information about theScore Bet and step-by-step instructions on how to sign up.

Betr Sportsbook

The whole Betr app is designed around next-play, next-pitch, next-possession wagering rather than treating it as a tab buried in the live menu. A 2024 rebuild added moneylines, spreads, totals, SGP and SGP+ on top, so it's no longer micro-only. The traditional menu is thin next to the majors and banking options are limited. Once a micro wager is in, you can't cash it out.

Betr is the closest thing Ohio has to a micro-betting specialist, and it's an Ohio story from the start. Co-founded by Jake Paul, an Ohio native, Betr took market access from Hall of Fame Village in Canton and launched on New Year's Day 2023, day one of Ohio betting. Definitely the best Ohio account for anyone who wants to bet the moment rather than the match.

Betr Sportsbook Promo 

Sign Up at Betr Today!

Betr Promo Code

ACTION2

Action Network Score

8.9/10. Check out our Betr Promo Code and review for more info on how the mico-betting app works.

21+ only, present in OH. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. T&Cs apply.

Which Ohio sportsbook is best for me?

How to Bet on Sports in Ohio

Online sports betting is live and legal in Ohio. Here's a quick four-step guide on how to make the most of your mobile betting experience:

Step 1: Choose a Sportsbook

Most major online sportsbooks are now available in Ohio. One of the most popular options is bet365, which is offering a welcome bonus that can be unlocked by clicking our bet365 bonus code TAN365.

Eventually, you’ll want multiple sports betting accounts so you can shop for the best lines. You can compare bet365 with a book like FanDuel, which allows us to use Action Network’s exclusive QuickSlip to instantly place our future bets.

Step 2: Sign Up

Create a new account at bet365 by following the prompts. You might need to provide proof of identity, like a driver’s license and social security number, to verify you are of legal age and so you can’t create multiple accounts using fake names.

Pro Tip: If you’re in Kentucky or another nearby state and try to sign up in Ohio, use your real information. Don’t use a friend’s address or an old address. It will be perfectly legal to sign up to bet in Ohio while you’re inside state lines, even if you don’t live there.

Step 3: Deposit Money Online, Not in Person

Ohio has made things easy on sports bettors by allowing online sign-ups and registrations. Some states make you sign up in person before betting online.

You can deposit at bet365 with the following:

• Bank account
• PayPal
• Wire transfer
• And more…

Legal sportsbooks make you pay upfront by depositing a certain amount of money (that you choose) which will operate as your bankroll (or available funds to bet). If you’ve previously bet offshore, you’ll be happy to know that it’s easy to use a credit card or bank account to deposit money.

Cashing out is also easy. We’ve seen withdrawals come through in fewer than 24 hours in some instances. If you’ve been betting offshore, that’s a welcome change.

Step 4: Place Your First Bet

Once you’re at bet365 Sportsbook, either on desktop or through the mobile app, all we have to do to bet is simply click on a line you like, and it will be highlighted.

Once it’s highlighted, the bet will populate your bet slip, where you’ll select how much you want to bet from your available funds that you deposited earlier. That bet slip will be on the right side of your screen on desktop, and in the middle of the bottom menu on your phone.

What can I bet on in Ohio?

The OCCC has an approved catalog of accepted sports betting markets, and every sportsbook must stick to it. The catalog is broad, but it has one notable market that is not allowed, and this one catches people out every college season. See the major ones on offer below to get up to speed before opening an account:

Readers must be aware that college prop betting markets are banned in Ohio. The NCAA asked, and the OCCC agreed.

Can I bet in Ohio?

You must be 21 or older and physically inside Ohio. That's it. Those are the only two hard requirements that those looking to bet in Ohio need to remember.

Residency is irrelevant. An Indiana or Kentucky resident standing in Cincinnati can legally bet with any Ohio sportsbook or betting app. An Ohio resident standing in Michigan is not allowed to bet.

Every licensed Ohio betting platform runs geolocation that checks your position at login and again at each wager. On a phone that means location services on and set to precise. On desktop it means installing the operator's geolocation plug-in.

To open an Ohio betting account all you will need is:

• Your name as it appears on your ID
• Date of birth
• Current residential address
• The last four digits of your Social Security number
• Email address and phone number

If automated verification fails, you will be asked for a photograph of a government-issued ID and sometimes proof of address. This takes only a few extra minutes and is rarely an issue.

Use your real, current details. The single most common cause of a frozen withdrawal in Ohio is an account opened with an old address or a nickname that does not match the bank account being paid out to.

Who is not allowed to bet in Ohio?

There are a few reasons why you may not be allowed to bet or open any form of gambling account in Ohio. These are the most common reasons:

• Anyone under 21
• Anyone enrolled in Time Out Ohio (Self-Exclusion program)
• Athletes, coaches, officials and staff subject to their own league's restrictions
• Anyone with access to non-public information about a contest

Can I bet in Ohio without an account?

Yes, at a retail sportsbook anywhere in Ohio. Walk to the window or a self-service terminal, place a cash wager and take a paper ticket, which you can redeem for cash at the same property.

No account registration is needed. You must still prove you are 21, however.

Is Ohio sports betting changing in 2026?

Nothing has changed for Ohio bettors in 2026 yet. Every licensed sportsbook is open and operating exactly as it was.

But Ohio is a state with a large, mature online betting market, and of course this is a shifting landscape where much can change. Here are some of the more recent changes that Ohio sports bettors should be aware of:

Can I still use a credit card to deposit in Ohio?

No. You cannot use a credit card to deposit in Ohio. The rule is catching up with operators.

On May 6, 2026, the OCCC published an amendment removing credit cards as a permitted depositing method for Ohio residents. The Commission confirmed in July that it is proceeding.

However, for most Ohio bettors this is already the reality, with many sportsbooks having shut down this depositing method in line with national gambling changes:

If the rule clears, Ohio will join Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont and Virginia in prohibiting it outright.

Will pro prop bets be banned in Ohio?

Professional props are still on the board, but they may be on the way out. This one has a home spin on it, however, as Governor DeWine asked for them to be removed following an investigation of two Cleveland Guardians pitchers.

The ask was for the OCCC to remove all prop bets from Ohio's catalog professional as well as college, which are already banned. He also asked the commissioners and players' unions of every major US sports league (MLB, NFL, NBA, WNBA, NHL and MLS) to back a national ban. He said the prop betting experiment in this country had failed badly.

The American Gaming Association has pushed back, arguing a ban undoes the rulemaking Ohio regulators built and pushes the activity somewhere nobody is watching it.

The suspicious betting on the Guardians pitchers was flagged by an integrity monitor inside the regulated market, which is how the investigation started. Without the sportsbooks it may not have been discovered, with AGA senior vice president Joe Maloney saying a ban "does not address the root cause."

As of August 2026 the OCCC has not adopted a professional prop ban, and Schuler has said any rule would need Commission approval and legislative review. The college player prop ban is unaffected.

Are prediction markets like Kalshi legal in Ohio?

Prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket are not licensed here, and Ohio has been at the forefront of the fight, more so than any other state.

Sports event contracts sold by CFTC-registered exchanges are not sports betting and are not licensed by the OCCC.

In March 2025 the Commission issued cease-and-desist notices to Kalshi, Robinhood and Crypto.com, saying the contracts lack the consumer protections Ohio law requires. Ohio's position is that they need to be under the OCCC to ensure that customers and residents receive the same standards of protection as all other sports gamblers.

What has happened since:

• August 25, 2025: the Commission warns Ohio licensees that partnering with Kalshi anywhere in the country could jeopardize their Ohio licenses.
• October 7, 2025: Kalshi sues the OCCC and Attorney General Dave Yost.
• March 9, 2026: Judge Sarah D. Morrison denies Kalshi a preliminary injunction, holding that sports event contracts are not swaps under the Commodity Exchange Act.
• April 24, 2026: A Sixth Circuit panel refuses an injunction pending appeal, while acknowledging the underlying questions are close.
• June 2026: The Commission moves to fine Kalshi $5 million; Kalshi files a further challenge. Thirty-nine states and the District of Columbia file in support of Ohio.
• July 30, 2026: Argument heard in the Sixth Circuit.

Separately, Sen. Bill DeMora wishes to bring sports event contract trading inside the definition of legal sports betting and license it, further increasing customer protections under the OCCC.

Right now prediction markets are not available in the state of Ohio, however this does not mean that they never will be. The barrier right now is that the OCCC wishes to have them under its purview to ensure customer protection across the sports gambling space in Ohio remains high and effective.

Professional Team Licenses

Book operators that have secured partnerships with state teams and casinos include:

• PENN Entertainment and Hollywood Casino Columbus
• betPARX and Memorial Tournament (hosted by the PGA Tour)
• Caesars and Cleveland Cavaliers & Scioto Downs Racino
• bet365 and Cleveland Guardians

Pro Teams in Ohio

NFL Betting in Ohio

Cleveland Browns

The Browns remain the only NFL franchise never to reach a Super Bowl, and the last two seasons did nothing to change that: Cleveland went 3–14 in 2024 and 5–12 in 2025, finishing last in the AFC North both times. Kevin Stefanski, a two-time Coach of the Year, was dismissed after six seasons and replaced on January 28, 2026 by Todd Monken.

The team currently plays at Huntington Bank Field on the lakefront, renamed from FirstEnergy Stadium, but broke ground on April 30, 2026 on a $2.6 billion enclosed stadium in Brook Park, also to be called Huntington Bank Field, scheduled to open in 2029

Cleveland Browns Odds

 

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals reached Super Bowl LVI after the 2021 season and back-to-back AFC Championship Games behind Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase, but the have since stalled. Zac Taylor was retained and is now 52–63–1 across seven seasons at Paycor Stadium, with a healthy Burrow, Chase and Tee Higgins making 2026 a genuine pressure year.

 Cincinnati Bengals Odds

 

A recommended resource list to help you make informed bets on football: 

• How to Bet on Football Guide
• Check our Expert NFL Picks
• Keep an eye on betting activity and bet/money distribution with our NFL Public Betting data.

NBA Betting in Ohio

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavaliers have become one of the East's genuine powers under Kenny Atkinson, who won Coach of the Year after a 64–18 debut season in 2024–25 built around Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley.

Year two brought a step forward in the postseason if not the standings. Cleveland went 52–30 for the fourth seed, survived seven-game series against Toronto and Detroit, and reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2018 before being swept by the eventually NBA Champion Knicks. A midseason trade for James Harden did not deliver in that series, and the arena is now branded Rocket Arena, renamed from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

 Cleveland Cavaliers Odds 

Here is a recommended resource to help you bet on the NBA:

• How to Bet on Basketball Guide

MLB Betting in Ohio

Cincinnati Reds

The Reds rebuilt the bullpen, upgraded defensively and re-signed Eugenio Suárez in February to address an offense that went missing at times last year, as they aim for the postseason for the first time since 2013. The Cincinnati Reds play their home games at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati and are managed by Terry Francona.

 Cincinnati Reds Odds 

Cleveland Guardians

The Guardians reached the ALCS in Stephen Vogt's first season in 2024 and have remained one of the most consistently competitive small-market clubs in baseball, continuing to lead the AL Central through the 2026 season.

Vogt won AL Manager of the Year in his debut campaign and the formula remains the same, elite bullpen work, contact hitting and defense at Progressive Field. 

Cleveland Guardians Odds

Here is a recommended resource to help you bet on the MLB:

• How to Bet on Baseball Guide

NHL Betting in Ohio

Columbus Blue Jackets

The Blue Jackets have improved sharply from the 27–43–12 low point, going 40–33–9 in 2024–25 and 40–30–12 in 2025–26 while still narrowly missing the playoffs both years. The 2025–26 season featured a January coaching change, with Rick Bowness replacing Dean Evason in downtown Columbus at Nationwide Arena.

 Columbus Blue Jackets Odds

Here are a few recommended resources to help you bet with insight on the NHL:

• How to Bet on Hockey Guide

MLS Betting in Ohio

FC Cincinnati

FC Cincinnati has gone from expansion-era doormat to contender under Pat Noonan and general manager Chris Albright, winning the Supporters' Shield in 2023.

The recurring obstacle is Columbus. After losing the 2023 Eastern Conference Final at home, Cincinnati beat the Crew in a three-game Round One series in 2025 before being eliminated 4–0 by Inter Miami. Noonan, now in his fifth season at TQL Stadium, has still never taken the club to a cup final.

Columbus Crew

The Crew won MLS Cup in 2023, beating LAFC 2–1 for a third championship overall and second since 2020, and Wilfried Nancy was named Coach of the Year in 2024.

Nancy departed for a short-lived stint in Scotland. Swedish manager Henrik Rydström was named the ninth head coach in club history on New Year's Eve and has signalled a more pragmatic approach at Lower.com Field.

Here is a recommended resource to help you bet with insight on the MLS:

• How to Bet on Soccer Guide

College Sports Teams

College Football Betting in Ohio

Ohio State Buckeyes Football

Ohio State is no longer merely a contender, the Buckeyes won the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship, the program's ninth title and first since 2014. 

The 2025 follow-up was almost as strong: 12–0 in the regular season including a 14–7 Week 1 win over No. 1 Texas before a 24–14 Cotton Bowl quarterfinal exit against Miami. Ryan Day is now 82–12 at Ohio Stadium, the best winning percentage among active FBS head coaches.

Ohio State Buckeyes Odds

Cincinnati Bearcats Football

Cincinnati is in its third season of Big 12 membership under Scott Satterfield, a very different environment from the American Athletic Conference run that produced a College Football Playoff berth in 2021.

The Bearcats play at Nippert Stadium, the oldest continuously used site in college football, and remain one of the more schedule-dependent teams in the conference.

 Cincinnati Bearcats Odds

Akron Zips Football

Akron went 5–7 in 2025 under Joe Moorhead while serving a postseason ban stemming from a low Academic Progress Rate score, widely regarded as one of the better coaching jobs in the MAC given the circumstances. Akron plays their home games at InfoCision Stadium and are coached by Joe Moorhead. 

 Akron Zips Odds

Bowling Green State Falcons Football

Bowling Green hired Heisman winner and former Titans running back Eddie George in December 2024. George enters year two at Doyt L. Perry Stadium

 Bowling Green Falcons Odds

Kent State Golden Flashes Football

Kent State went winless in 2024 but rebounded to a surprising 5–7 in 2025, and dropped the interim tag from Mark Carney's title in October. The Golden Flashes play at Dix Stadium and remain in a long rebuild, their last bowl appearance was in 2021. 

 Kent State Golden Flashes Odds

Miami RedHawks Football

Chuck Martin enters 2026 among only a handful of MAC coaches entering a fourth-plus season. The RedHawks play at Fred C. Yager Stadium in Oxford and were among four teams finishing with two or fewer conference losses in 2025.

Miami RedHawks Odds 

Ohio Bobcats Football

Ohio has been the most consistently successful of the state's MAC programs, capping 2025 with a Frisco Bowl win over UNLV. The Bobcats are now on their third head coach in three years, with defensive coordinator John Hauser promoted in December after Brian Smith's firing. The Bobcats play their home games at Peden Stadium in Athens, Ohio.

Ohio Bobcats Odds

Toledo Rockets Football

After reaching a bowl in 2025 its been all change in Toledo. Longtime head coach Jason Candle left for UConn, and Mercer's Mike Jacobs takes over at the Glass Bowl.

Toledo Rockets Odds 

A recommended resource to help you bet smartly on college football in Ohio:

• College Football Betting Tips for Profitability
• College Football Betting Tips on Fading the Public

College Basketball Betting in Ohio

Ohio State Buckeyes Men's Basketball

Under the leadership of new head coach Jake Diebler, the Buckeyes returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in four years before a first-round loss to TCU. 

Ohio State Buckeyes Odds 

Cincinnati Bearcats Men's Basketball

The Bearcats' NCAA Tournament drought now stretches to 2019, and it cost Wes Miller his job. Miller departed on March 19 with a 100–74 record. Ohio native and UC alum Jerrod Calhoun was named the 29th head coach on March 24, inheriting a program at Fifth Third Arena that made nine straight tournaments under Mick Cronin in the 2010s.

Cincinnati Bearcats Odds

Xavier Musketeers Men's Basketball

Richard Pitino, son of Rick and previously head coach at New Mexico, Minnesota and FIU, was hired after Sean Millers swift departure. Pitino has rebuilt again through the portal for 2026–27 at the Cintas Center, one of the best home-court environments in the country

Xavier Musketeers Odds 

Dayton Flyers Men's Basketball

Anthony Grant, now in his tenth season, has kept Dayton among the Atlantic 10's genuine powers. UD Arena remains one of the best atmospheres in mid-major basketball and hosts the First Four each March. The Flyers are chasing a return to the NCAA Tournament after their 2024 second-round run.

Dayton Flyers Odds 

Ohio Bobcats Men's Basketball

The Bobcats have been consistently competitive under Jeff Boals, who returned to his alma mater in 2019 and has produced a string of winning seasons in the MAC. Ohio plays at the Convocation Center in Athens and has a history of NCAA Tournament upsets, most memorably as a 13 seed in 2012 and again in 2021.

Ohio Bobcats Odds

A recommended resource to help you bet smartly on college basketball in Ohio:

• How to Bet on College Basketball
• Trends to Know Before Betting Conference Tournaments

Other Events

Cincinnati Masters

Ohio also hosts the Cincinnati Masters (now branded the Western & Southern Open) every year, an ATP World Tour tennis tournament. It's the longest-running event in the U.S. still held in its original location. Cincinnati has hosted the tournament since 1899.

Can I bet on Ohio State?

Yes, you can bet on Ohio State and other college sports teams. But only the teams. You can bet Ohio State to cover, Ohio State's team total, Ohio State to win the Big Ten, and Ohio State in a parlay.

What you cannot bet is Julian Sayin's passing yards or Jeremiah Smith's receptions. Any wager on an individual NCAA athlete's performance or statistics is banned in Ohio, in every sport. If an app is showing you a college player prop while you are in Ohio, it is not licensed here and should be avoided.

What responsible gambling tools are available in Ohio?

Ohio has built one of the most comprehensive responsible gambling programs in the country right now. Most of it is free, and none of it requires you to identify as having a problem.

Every OCCC-licensed sportsbook must offer the tools below and must have a Commission-approved Responsible Gaming Plan on file.

They live in the same place in every book: open the app, tap your account or profile icon, and look for Responsible Gaming, Play Smart, My Limits or Safer Gambling.

• Deposit limits. Daily, weekly or monthly. Set this on the day you open the account and be honest with yourself; this is one of the most valuable tools on hand.
• Wager and loss limits. Caps on a single bet or on total losses over a period. Perhaps less used than deposit limits, but more effective at controlling in-play betting.
• Time-outs. A short cooling-off period at a single operator, usually 24 hours to several weeks. Your balance stays where it is.
• Operator self-exclusion. A longer, operator-specific ban. This covers that specific sportsbook only; it does not touch the others.
• Reality checks and activity statements. On-screen prompts after a set period of play, and a full record of deposits, wagers and net position.

What is the Ohio Responsible Gambling Helpline?

The Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline is 1-800-589-9966, staffed 24 hours a day. Calls to 1-800-GAMBLER originating in Ohio are also transferred to the specific Ohio line, ensuring you get local, tailored support.

Ohio runs something most states do not, called Warm Transfer. This is delivered with the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio and United Way of Greater Cleveland 211. It aims to help callers as immediately and effectively as possible, rather than handing them off with another phone number.

Rather than being handed a number and left to make the next call yourself, a specialist stays with you and takes you through to a service. This helps to triage for immediate risk, connects in one call and follows up.

The average transfer runs up to 45 minutes, more than 70% of callers ask for a follow-up a week later, and there were 286 warm transfers last year.

Can I self-exclude from sports betting in Ohio?

Yes, you can. Ohio's very own statewide self-exclusion program is called 'Time Out Ohio'. It was known as the Voluntary Exclusion Program until recently.

This is run jointly by the Ohio Casino Control Commission and the Ohio Lottery Commission. It is the only tool in Ohio that covers every operator at once.

Entering into the program will revoke your access or ability to attend or gamble at all four Ohio casinos, all seven racinos, every retail sportsbook, and every licensed Ohio app.

Operators must also stop targeting you with marketing and refuse to cash your checks or extend credit. Many extend the ban across their properties nationally to offer even greater protection to Ohio players. This national ban is not done with all operators, but proves valuable as a practice across the country.

How do I self-exclude from gambling in Ohio?

You can enroll for free at TimeOutOhio.com, at any hour. All you need to do is:

• Make an appointment at TimeOutOhio.com
• Provide a valid government ID and your full Social Security number
• Give your information, including a photo to be distributed
• Decide how long to enroll for: one year, five years, or lifetime
• Once complete, your details are sent out to operators and the self-exclusion is in place

You can also enroll in person at the Commission's Columbus office or its offices at any of the four casinos. Enrolling includes a free year of Gamban.

Self-exclusion does not expire on its own. A one-year or five-year exclusion continues even after the term ends, until you request removal. That is deliberate, and worth knowing before you assume you are off the list.

A lifetime ban is also not necessarily permanent. The same rule allows removal after at least five years enrolled, completion of the program's problem gambling awareness education, and an assessment with a medical or clinical professional qualified to treat gambling disorder.

Most coverage of Ohio self-exclusion states flatly that lifetime is irreversible.

How do I fund an Ohio betting account?

You can fund your Ohio betting account using online banking and ACH transfer, debit card, PayPal at most operators, operator-branded prepaid cards, and cash at a retail sportsbook cage. Cash at the cage is the fastest way to fund an account in Ohio and, at the casino and racino books, the fastest way to be paid.

As far as payout speed goes, this really depends on the operator. Once verified and withdrawn to the method you deposited with, FanDuel, DraftKings and bet365 are generally the quickest nationwide and in Ohio.

First withdrawals take longer than every subsequent one at every book, without exception, because that is when verification completes. It is good to be aware of this in case it takes a little longer the first time around.

Most of this may be common across the US. However, Ohio does have one distinct feature players should be aware of. Operators must withhold state income tax on reportable wins, so the amount that lands may be less than the amount on your bet slip.

How are Ohio betting winnings taxed?

Ohio taxes your gross winnings and gives casual bettors no deduction for losses at all. In a break-even year you will still owe Ohio money.

Ohio state income tax

From January 1, 2026, Ohio has a flat individual income tax. There is no separate gambling rate; winnings must be added to ordinary income. Nonbusiness income up to $26,050 is exempt; everything above that is taxed at 2.75%.

Ohio starts from your federal adjusted gross income. Gambling winnings go into federal AGI as other income. Gambling losses are a federal itemized deduction, which sits below AGI.

So the loss deduction never reaches your Ohio return, and Ohio has no loss deduction of its own. Whatever you won, gross, is what Ohio taxes.

Non-residents: all winnings from sports gaming conducted in Ohio are allocated to Ohio regardless of residency. If you drove in from Kentucky or Indiana to bet, Ohio still taxes it.

What changed with taxes and Ohio sports gambling in 2026?

Two big changes took place with regard to taxes and Ohio sports gambling in 2026, both of which readers need to be up to speed on.

Losses are now deductible at 90% of value.

Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, from January 1, 2026, you may deduct only 90% of gambling losses against winnings, capped at the amount you won.

You can lose exactly what you won across a year and still owe federal tax on 10% of it.

The reporting threshold rose to $2,000.

The same act raised the reporting threshold from $600 to $2,000 for payments after December 31, 2025. For sports wagering that means a W-2G when winnings less the wager reach $2,000 and pay at least 300 times the stake, and Ohio withholding follows the federal trigger.

Keep records.

Every licensed Ohio operator produces an annual activity statement showing deposits, wagers, wins and losses. We recommend you download it from each account you hold. The IRS expects the date, the type of wager, the operator and the amounts, and reconstructing that in April from memory is not the position you want to be in.

This is general information about how Ohio and federal rules work. It is not tax advice and does not account for your circumstances. Talk to a qualified tax professional before filing.

More Reading on Ohio Sports Betting 

To supplement Action, you can find additional local sports coverage through these newspapers:

• The Columbus Dispatch
• The Cincinnati Enquirer
• The Cleveland Plain Dealer
• Dayton Daily News
• Akron Beacon Journal