Here’s what you need to know about Ohio sports betting:

How Ohio Sports Betting Became Legal

Sports betting in the state of Ohio has been a hot topic of debate dating all the way back to 2019. There were numerous lawmakers that tried to get a bill passed back in 2019, but things just didn’t work out that way.

It looked as if Ohio was going to legalize sports betting back in 2020 as there was a ton of support. When it came down to the final vote, there just wasn’t enough support to get to the finish line, but it set things up nicely for 2021.

Both the House and Senate proposed sports betting bills in early 2021, and there was some discussion as to which bill should proceed. Deciding which group should control the sports betting industry was also a big debate, but there was eventually a resolution.

House Bill 176 was officially signed by Governor Mike DeWine in December 2021 to officially legalize sports betting in the state of Ohio. That bill called for the last possible launch date of January 1, 2023 and that was the date in which sports betting launched in the state.

About Ohio’s Sports Betting Launch

All forms of sports betting in Ohio officially launched on January 1, 2023. Because this state has attracted most of the biggest names in sports betting, the top sportsbooks were ready to go just after midnight.

Ohio shattered some previous industry records during the first few days after launch as the state had a ton of sports betting options available. Ohio has some sports betting laws that are pretty favorable for both operators and sports bettors and that allowed the market to get off to a big start. In Cincinnati, former Reds star Pete Rose placed the first legal sports bet.

Unfortunately, within seconds of sports betting’s legalization in the state, Ohio State’s kicker missed a field goal that would’ve advanced the Buckeyes to the National Championship game. This was Ohio’s second big miss on sports betting, as the Cincinnati Bengals advanced to the Super Bowl in 2022, but betting hadn’t launched in time for the Big Game, costing the state millions in sports betting revenue.

What About Mobile Sports Betting?

There is the potential to have more than two dozen mobile sportsbooks in Ohio, but it won’t be a quick process to get to that number. Mobile sportsbooks in Ohio are going to become the most popular options in the state, and Ohio has been able to attract some of the top operators.

Mobile sports betting is going to be available throughout the state, and there is no limit to the number of sports betting accounts that a person can have.

So far, the following sportsbooks have launched mobile platforms in Ohio:

  • bet365
  • BetFred
  • BetMGM
  • BetRivers
  • Caesars
  • DraftKings
  • FanDuel

Sports Teams to Bet on in Ohio

The state of Ohio has eight professional sports teams across five leagues. In addition to this, the state has numerous colleges that participate in major Division I athletics. The two biggest schools in the state are The Ohio State University and the University of Cincinnati.

There are two NFL franchises that play in Ohio. These two teams are the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns. Both teams are members of the AFC North. Cleveland has struggled in recent years, but they hope trading for Deshaun Watson will work out once his off-field issues are resolved.

As for Cincinnati, they’ve emerged as one of the top contenders in the AFC in recent years thanks in large part to star quarterback (and Ohio native) Joe Burrow. After tearing his ACL during his rookie season, Burrow led a remarkable run to the Super Bowl in 2022, where the Bengals came up just short against the Los Angeles Rams.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are the only NBA team in the state of Ohio. The Cavaliers were built by LeBron James during across two separate stints. James brought back a title to his hometown team in 2016. This was the team’s first NBA Championship in franchise history. The Columbus Blue Jackets are the only NHL team in Ohio. The Blue Jackets have been operating since 2000, but the team doesn’t even have a division title on its resume.

The MLB and MLS each have two clubs that play in Ohio. The Cincinnati Reds and the Cleveland Indians compete in the MLB. The Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati play in the MLS. All four of these teams are very popular in their respective regions of the state.

FAQ for Betting in Ohio

Is sports betting legal in Ohio?

Yes, lawmakers in the state of Ohio legalized sports betting and it’s available in both mobile and retail form. Ohio has the potential to become one of the biggest sports betting markets in the United States.

When did Ohio launch sports betting?

Sports betting in the state of Ohio officially launched on January 1, 2023. On this date both retail and mobile sports wagering became available.

Does Ohio offer mobile gambling as well as retail sportsbooks in the state?

Absolutely. There are retail sportsbooks located throughout the state, but bettors in Ohio can also create a mobile sportsbook account to make wagers online.

How many professional sports teams compete in the state?

There are eight professional sports franchises across five leagues in the state of Ohio.

What’s the legal betting age in the state of Ohio?

To place a bet in Ohio, you will need to be 21 years of age.

Can you bet on collegiate sports in Ohio?

Yes, betting on collegiate sporting events in Ohio is completely legal and that includes betting on in-state teams such as the Ohio State Buckeyes.