Online Sports Betting in Ohio
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Is sports betting legal in Ohio?
Sports betting is officially legal in Ohio, and sportsbooks have launched in the state! An Ohio sports betting bill, HB 29, passed in Ohio Legislature in December of 2021. The market launched officially on January 1st, 2023.
This launch is universal – meaning that it includes both retail and online sports betting options.
There is a list of available online sportsbooks in Ohio from the outset. Casinos (and sports teams) with licenses can apply for a second skin if they can demonstrate value. To get the permit, the value had been shown to the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) in a manner that showcases an overall benefit to Ohio (on an incremental basis).
You’ll find a selection of legal sites offering sports betting in the list below:
How to sign up at an Ohio Sportsbook:
- Download and install the app on your mobile device
- Register for your account
- Fund your account
- Make your very first wager in the state of Ohio
The process is pretty similar and quick, regardless of which app you eventually choose.
What sports can you bet on?
You are able to bet on the four major American sports (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL), along with Australian Rules Football, NCAAB, Boxing, Cricket, Darts, NCAAF, Golf, Handball, MMA, Motorsports, Rugby, Soccer, Table Tennis & Tennis.
Fun Facts about Ohio sports betting
- The tax rate for sports betting revenue in the state is 10%. This should help maximize statewide revenue by encouraging competition.
- There are no significant restrictions on the types of wagers eligible to be offered. Unlike certain other states, in Ohio, you can wager on your hometown college football teams (like THE Ohio State University).
- Esports wagers are going to be offered. The market for esports wagers (across all states) is currently quite small.
- Fubo Sportsbook will be an official sports betting partner of the Cavaliers. They will be opening a 3,000 sqft sports lounge inside the Cavaliers stadium.
- BallyBet will also have a branded lounge inside the Cleveland Browns stadium.
- Ohio is a rare state where the expectation is that college football wagering might equal NFL wagering. This is largely due to the popularity of the Ohio State Buckeyes football program.
- As of the time of writing this, the Browns are +15000 to win the Super Bowl. For long-suffering fans, you’ll be able to effectively buy a lottery ticket each year by betting on your Browns to win the Super Bowl.
Most popular sports to watch in Ohio
The Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers often referred to as “the Cavs,” are an NBA team based in Cleveland. The team initially started as a 1970s expansion franchise. They weren’t a regular playoff contender until the latter half of the 1980s through the 1990s. Those teams were led by franchise stalwarts Mark Price and Brad Daugherty. Between 1998 and 2002, the team endured a poor stretch with no playoff appearances.
That changed when they were awarded the number one pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. The Cavs selected hometown hero LeBron James, who led them to six division titles, five conference titles, and an NBA championship in 2016. James is the franchise leader in points scored, minutes played, rebounds, assists, steals, and three-pointers. In Cleveland, he won two NBA MVP awards (2009, 2010) and Rookie of the Year (2004) and was an All-NBA First Team member on eight different occasions (2006, 2008-2010, 2015-2018).
The Cleveland Browns
The Browns have a storied and somewhat tortured history in Cleveland. They are named after the co-founder and initial coach of the team, Paul Brown, founded in 1944 before the formation of the modern-day Super Bowl-era NFL. They also dominated the pre-Super Bowl era but haven’t found the same level of success since.
In 1995, then-owner Art Modell announced plans to move the team to Baltimore, resulting in a strong reaction from the city. Though the Browns were reinstated as a franchise in 1999, the previous team (now the Baltimore Ravens) remained in existence. Since resuming operations in 1999, the Browns have struggled. They’ve only had three winning seasons in their newfound existence (2002, 2007, and 2020).
The current Cleveland Browns are often mocked for their instability at key positions (10 head coaches since 1999. 34 different starters at quarterback since 1999). Though they feature a rabid fanbase, much has been made of the 2022 Cleveland Browns due to personnel decisions. Namely, the Browns front office opted to trade for and sign maligned quarterback Deshaun Watson amidst multiple sexual-misconduct allegations levied against the quarterback.
The Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are the other professional football team based in Ohio (Cincinnati), though they have had far more success in the Super Bowl era than their Cleveland counterparts. Though the Bengals have yet to win a Super Bowl, they’ve been to three (1981, 1988, and 2021) and have won their division 10 times (5 times in the AFC Central, 5 times in the AFC North).
The current iteration of the Bengals features one of the most exciting and explosive offensive cores in the NFL. Led by number one overall draft pick and Ohio native Joe Burrow, the Bengals offense is stocked with playmakers. There is hope that this Bengals team will be the first professional football team based in Ohio to win a Super Bowl.
The Cleveland Guardians
One of the oldest franchises in the MLB, the origins of this team date back to 1894. At the time, they were a minor league franchise based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, known as the Grand Rapid Rippers. Relocating to Cleveland in 1900 as the “Lake Shores,” Cleveland was one of the eight charter teams on the original MLB American League (AL).
The first three years of the 1900s saw the team called the Bluebirds or Blues, then unofficially the Bronchos, then the Napoleons or Naps. Following namesake Nap Lajoie’s departure, the team renamed the Indians, a name that stuck until a controversy in 2021. In 2022, the team was renamed the Guardians.
The Guardians are among the most successful Ohio sports franchises, winning two World Series (1920, 1948), six AL Pennants, and 11 AL Central Division Titles.
The Cincinnati Reds
The origins of the modern Cincinnati Reds team can be traced back to 1876 when the franchise was one of the first charter members of the new National League (NL). Ironically, the club ran afoul of its then-president William Hubert for selling beer during games. In 1880, the league pledged to ban beer at games, with the notable exception being Cincinnati president W. H. Kennett, which led to the expulsion of the franchise from the league.
The most dominant period of the Reds franchise history wouldn’t come for nearly a century, but in the 1970s, the Reds were widely considered the best team in baseball. Overall, the Reds have won five World Series championships, nine NL pennants, one AL pennant, and 10 division titles. Given their longevity as a baseball team, the Reds are one of a few MLB franchises with over 10,000 wins.
The Columbus Blue Jackets
The sole NHL franchise to be located in Ohio, the Columbus Blue Jackets began to play as an expansion NHL team in 2000. Though they struggled out of the gate, they eventually started winning consistently in 2009. Due to their relatively new origins, they are without any Stanley Cups, Conference Championships, Presidents’ Trophies, or Division Championships. However, they do have the notoriety of being the only team in NHL history to sweep a Presidents’ Trophy winner (Tampa Bay Lightning, 2019) in the first round of the playoffs.
The Blue Jackets’ name and logos are inspired by Ohioan Civil War history. Ohio played a key role in supplying troops and officers to the Union army. Given its centralized location in the Northern United States, Ohio was then politically and logistically important. This history has been parlayed into further tie-ins during Blue Jackets’ games. The organization has a hand-made replica 1857 Napoleon cannon located in the arena. That cannon is fired for the start go the game, any home team goals scored, and if the Blue Jackets win the game.
The Columbus Crew
Formerly known as the Columbus Crew SC, this American professional soccer club is one of two located in Ohio. The team is run by an ownership group headed by the Haslam family (who also own the Cleveland Browns). Founded in 1994, the Crew played home games at Historic Crew Stadium. That stadium was the first soccer-specific stadium built for an MLS (Major League Soccer) team.
The Crew has won six major trophies: two MLS Cups (2008, 2020), three Supporters’ Shields (2004, 2008, 2009), and the 2002 U.S. Open Cup. They have also qualified for the CONCACAF Champions League on four occasions.
FC Cincinnati
The other American professional soccer club located in Ohio, this team is relatively new. Founded in May of 2018 as an expansion team, they serve as an effective in-state rival for the Columbus Crew. The idea of this rivalry began in 2017 when FC Cincinnati (then in the USL) played the Crew.
Cleveland Rugby League
A professional rugby league football club based in Cleveland, they are a founding member of the North American Rugby League.
The Ohio State Buckeyes
Arguably the most popular sports team for Ohioans, THE Ohio State Buckeyes are the dominant collegiate sports team in Ohio. Led by its football team, the Buckeyes have the most significant overall sports endowment of any campus in North America. Ohio State is one of seven American universities to have won an NCAA championship in baseball and basketball and be recognized as a national champion in football.
Ohio State has a long and storied history of producing professional athletes, including Jesse Owens (track and field), John Havlicek and Jerry Lucas (basketball), Frank Howard (baseball), Jack Nicklaus (golf), Archie Griffin (football), and legendary coaches like Paul Brown (football) and Fred Taylor (basketball).
The Cincinnati Bearcats
The Bearcats are another university based in Ohio. They’re in the process of moving to the Big 12, though they are currently in the American Athletic Conference (AAC). They feature 18 varsity programs. They’ve won 2 NCAA team championships, both in men’s basketball (1961, 196).
The Xavier Musketeers
The Xavier Musketeers are comprised of 16 varsity teams competing in the Big East Conference. They’ve won two national championships, once in rifle (1998) and once in women’s boxing (2019).
The Dayton Flyers
The Dayton Flyers compete in the Atlantic 10 conference in every sport except for football. The university has 16 sports, with historic rivalries against fellow Ohio schools like the University of Cincinnati and Xavier University. Flyers basketball is one of the biggest athletic draws at the institution, reaching the Men’s Basketball Championship game in 1967. They’ve also won the National Invitational Tournament three times (1962, 1968, and 2010).
The Miami RedHawks
Offering 18 varsity sports, the RedHawks compete in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in all sports with the exception of ice hockey (which competes in the NCHC). The team was known as the Redskins until 1996 when controversies surrounding the name arose. They officially became the RedHawks in 1997.
Miami is colloquially known as the “Cradle of Coaches” for the coaches that have trained through its football program. Some of these coaches include:
- Paul Brown
- Week Ewbank
- Woody Hayes
- Jim Tressell
Several former players have gone on to success in the NFL, including quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, defensive back John Harbaugh, and wide receiver Sean McVay.
The Akron Zips
Representing the University of Akron, the Zippers (more commonly known as the Zips) are not exactly known for their athletics. Save for their dominant men’s soccer team and occasionally good men’s basketball team, their principal rivalries are with the Ken State Golden Flashes.
The Bowling Green Falcons
Fun Fact: Bowling Green State University is one of only 15 universities in the US that plays in Division 1 for both men’s ice hockey and football.
The Falcons are part of a heated rivalry with the University of Toledo. The most well-known game between the two is known as the Battle of I-75.
The Falcons have found success in several sports. Notably, their women’s basketball team won three straight conference champions between 2005-2007. The 1984 Falcons ice hockey team defeated the University of Minnesota-Duluth is, the longest college hockey championship game in NCAA history. Former coach Urban Meyer found incredible success as a head coach elsewhere, winning at Utah, Florida, and Ohio State.
The Cleveland State Vikings
Cleveland State fields 17 varsity teams, most of which compete in the Horizon League. The men’s basketball team is perhaps most known for their upsets of 3-seed Indiana and Saint Joseph’s in the 1986 iteration of March Madness. The Vikings were part of yet another NCAA tournament upset in 2009, beating 4 seed Wake Forest in the first round.
The Kent State Golden Flashes
The Golden Flashes feature 16 varsity teams and are a member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC). They are home to the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center, one of the oldest arenas in Division 1 college basketball. Though not necessarily known for their current athletics, some of their more well-known alumni include Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban, four-time Super Bowl champion Jack Lambert and former Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman. Former Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates also played for KSU, though he played basketball, not football.
The Ohio Bobcats
Ohio University is a charter member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) and has six men’s and ten women’s NCAA-sanctioned sports. Some of their notable national-level victories include an upset of the 4th-seeded Michigan Wolverines at the 2012 March Madness, which they followed with a victory over 12th-seeded USF.
The Ohio Bobcats have appeared in six football bowl games, losing the first five before finally defeating Utah State 24-23 in 2011.
The Wright State Raiders
The Raiders are part of 15 sports at the Division 1 level in the Horizon League. They’ve competed in three NCAA tournament editions of March Madness. Current MLB catcher Sean Murphy plied his trade at Wright State.
The Youngstown State Penguins
The only collegiate athletics program with a penguin as a mascot, YSU competes in many sports across the NCAA. The university is a member of the Horizon League for all sports except for football (in Missouri Valley Football Conference), bowling (Southland Bowling League), and lacrosse (MAC). YSU football was notably dominant in the FCS under former head coach Jim Tressell, winning four national championships.
Most Popular Ohio Athletes (Current)
LeBron James; Cameron Heyward; Nick & Joey Bosa; Justin Fields; Denzel Wards; Ezekiel Elliott; Garrett Wilson; Chris Olave; Michael Thomas; Sauce Gardner; Mike Conley Jr.; D’Angelo Russell; Joe Burrow; Jakub Voracek; Seth Jones.
Most Popular Ohio Athletes (Ever)
LeBron James; Jesse Owens; Jack Nicklaus; Archie Griffin; Pete Rose; Paul Brown; Mike Schmidt; John Havlicek; George Sisler; Edwin Moses; Marion Motley; Don Shula; Ken Griffey Jr.; Roger Staubach; Bobby Knight; Jerry Lucas; Len Dawson; Jack Lambert; Barry Larkin; Nick Swisher; Branch Rickey; Lou Groza; Shirley Fry; John Heisman; Larry Csonka; Cris Carter.
Yes, sports betting in Ohio is legal since January 1st, 2023.
You have to be at least 21 years of age, and you have to be in Ohio in order to bet on sports online. You can bet through sports gaming apps on phones. Read more about Sports betting and learn how to bet on sports.
A list of online sportsbook apps and physical sports betting locations launched on Jan. 1, 2023. The Ohio sports betting law, HB 29, passed both chambers of the Ohio Legislature in December 2021.
It is already legal in Ohio after the market went live on January 1st, 2023.
January 1st, 2023.
