On January 1st, 2023, several sportsbooks launched their operations in Ohio, marking the beginning of legal sports betting in the Buckeye State. Since then, companies like FanDuel, Caesars Sportsbook, bet365, DraftKings and BetMGM have been vying to capture a piece of the burgeoning Ohio market. This has been done by building strategic partnerships with some of the top Ohio teams, and also by building physical sportsbooks at stadiums in cities like Cincinnati and Cleveland.
Here, we guide you through the landscape of Ohio’s sports betting industry, including its latest updates, the best bonus codes, and our favorite sportsbooks in the state.
The table below is a briefing of the main facts related to Ohio sports betting so that you can be aware of the rules and regulations.
| Official Launch Date (Online) | January 1, 2023 |
| Official Launch Date (Retail) | January 1, 2023 |
| Active Online Betting Sites | Barstool, bet365, Betfred, betJACK, BetMGM, betPARX, BetRivers, Betr, Betway, Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, Hard Rock, MVGBet, SuperBook, Tipico, Fanatics TBD: Bally, Out of the Gate, PlayUp, Prophet Exchange, Underdog Sports, WynnBET |
| Tax Rate | 20% |
| Betting on College Sports | Allowed |
| Total Licenses (Mobile Sports Betting) | 25 |
| Legal Age for Sports Betting | 21+ |
| Retail Sportsbooks | Many, including Caesars Sportsbook at Rocket Mortgage Field House and BetMGM Sportsbook at Great American Ball Park |
July 3rd, 2023: Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announces that the tax rate will double for sports betting operators, going from 10% to 20%.
June 7th, 2023: Ohio announces legislation to ban individuals who harass athletes or threaten them with violence or any type of harm from sports betting. An initiative enforced by the Ohio Casino Control Commission, it is the first legislation of its kind.
At the end of 2021, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 29 into law, effectively legalizing sports betting in the Buckeye State.
However, it was not until January 1st, 2023, that sportsbooks were able to launch and start taking bets from customers. Some important details:
As it often happens when a state legalizes sports betting, sportsbooks in Ohio are offering attractive welcome bonuses and promotions. Through these lucrative incentives, bookmakers aim to become the sportsbook of choice for bettors. Here are some bonuses worth looking into…
Caesars: If you make a first wager with Caesars Sportsbook in Ohio, and it loses, the sportsbook will refund your stake up to $1,250. You will also get 1,000 Tier Credits and 1,000 Caesars Rewards credits, which can be redeemed for travel experiences at any of Caesars’ properties.
bet365: If you bet $1 on bet365 in Ohio, you will automatically receive $100 in bonus bets. The great thing about this offer is that you will receive the bonus regardless of the outcome of your bet.
BetMGM: New customers can get their first bet back up to $1,000 if it loses. This will give you a second chance to bet on your favorite teams and take advantage of all the features that BetMGM has to offer.
FanDuel: If you create an account with FanDuel, the sportsbook will give you 10 times your initial stake in bonus bets up to $200. This means that to qualify for the $200, you need to place a $20 bet. If you place a $10 bet, you would get $100.
DraftKings: By wagering $5 on DraftKings, you automatically receive $150 in six $25 bonus bets, which you can use to wager on any of the eligible markets on the platform.
Gov. Mike DeWine recently sparked the ire of sports betting operators due to his decision to raise the tax on sports betting revenue from 10% to 20%.
The effects of this remain to be seen, since before Ohio legalized sports betting, players were going to neighboring states such as Michigan, Indiana, West Virginia and Pennsylvania to place legal wagers.
Since sports betting was given the green light in the state of Ohio, 18 companies have started taking bets online. According to the Ohio Casino Control Commission Commission, the governing body for sports betting in the state, 25 licenses were approved for mobile sports betting, so we expect that some new brands will arrive soon.
As of now, these are the top mobile sportsbooks in Ohio:
If you are eager to embark on your journey as an Ohio bettor, here is a step-by-step guide to help you get the ball rolling.
Betting is legal in Ohio. Now what? You’re poised to join your favorite sportsbook and start wagering on the Reds, the Bengals, or the Blue Jackets. But before that, there are several things that you need to take into consideration.
The first one is to understand the importance of research and analysis. If you are looking at the dashboard for the first time, and some teams have very high odds, it can be easy to want to jump in right away. But do you know, realistically, the chances that team has of winning? At Lines, we strongly advise that you do your homework and assign teams with your own probabilities. This will lead you to one of our favorite strategies, which is value betting. There is value in a bet when your estimated probability of an outcome is higher than the sportsbook’s probability.
Another recommendation is to stick to sports you know. A mistake many bettors make is placing wagers on sports that they know little to nothing about. This can lead to further problems, such as doubling down on your bets to make up for the losses. To prevent this, manage your bankroll and set limits. Most sportsbooks nowadays offer you the ability to set deposit limits. Make sure you are only betting what you can afford to lose, as otherwise, you could compromise your personal financial situation.
Betting is a long-term game. There will be days when we inevitably lose. We must accept those losses and move on, instead of trying to make up for them with a rushed and poorly-analyzed wager. We highly recommend keeping track of your statistics, so you can analyze your profitability as a bettor and change or adapt your strategies accordingly.
Also, take advantage of all the bonuses and promotions, and don’t be afraid to bet on more than one sportsbook. Shopping around will help you find the best odds and access all the lucrative bonuses that each sportsbook awards to its users.
FanDuel is the No. 1 sportsbook in America in terms of market share, and in Ohio, it was one of the brands to promote itself heavily from the beginning. One of the reasons that FanDuel is so popular is that it keeps innovating. The sportsbook is constantly increasing its league and sport coverage, and crafting new promotions to keep incentivizing both new and existing customers.
In Ohio, the latest promotion offered by FanDuel is that once you create an account and wager your first $20, FanDuel will give you $200 in Bonus Bets. This applies whether you win or lose your first wager.
BetMGM boasts a sportsbook at one of Ohio’s favorite stadiums, Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati. Through projects like this, the brand has earned a place in the minds and hearts of Ohio’s sports fans.
BetMGM offers attractive promotions. If you are in Ohio and create an account with BetMGM, your first bet is risk-free. So if you lose your initial wager, BetMGM refunds you whatever you wagered up to $1,000. You can use this credit to place more bets.
Conceived as a DFS provider and backed by sports legend Michael Jordan, DraftKings is one of the most popular sports betting brands in the United States. In Ohio, DraftKings has a solid promotion for new customers. Once you make an initial deposit and place a wager of at least $5, DraftKings awards $150 in six bonus bets of $25 each.
DraftKings’ mobile app has high ratings in both the Apple Store and Google Play store, with users praising its user interface, promotions, and variety of betting markets available.
Bonuses and promotions are one of Caesars Sportsbook’s specialties, along with its ability to forge solid partnerships with some of the most relevant sports brands. Ohio is no exception. Caesars has built a physical sportsbook at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, home of the Cleveland Cavaliers. It also has a location at iconic racino Scioto Downs.
Another point of attraction for Caesars is that it has the highest risk-free bat available in the market. If you create an account with Caesars in Ohio and place an initial wager, and it loses, Caesars will refund your stake up to $1,250. And just by creating an account, you will earn 1,000 Tier Credits and 1,000 Reward Credits for Caesars Rewards. The points you earn can be redeemed for travel experiences and accommodations at any of Caesars’ properties worldwide.
Bet365 is one of the world’s leading brands when it comes to sports betting. The U.K.-founded sportsbook has decades of experience in the field, and it is gradually cementing its reputation in North America. One of the top features of bet365 is that it offers one of the broadest coverages of leagues, sports, and betting markets.
For all new Ohio customers, bet365 is offering $200 in bonus bets after betting only $1, whether you win or lose.
Barstool has a solid presence in Ohio, as it is able to offer both retail and online betting. For bettors who prefer to place their wagers in person, Barstool has four brick-and-mortar sportsbooks through their partnership with Hollywood Gaming and Casino.
Founded by media personality Dave Portnoy, Barstool has gained a following due to its extensive odds boosts offerings, flexible parlay options, and streamlined betting experience. And for new customers in Ohio, Barstool has two promotions. The first one is a $10 no-deposit bonus. This is the only no-deposit bonus offered by legal sportsbooks in the United States that we are aware of.
The second promotion is a risk-free bet. Once you make a deposit into your Barstool account and place a bet, the sportsbook will refund your stake up to $1,000 if you lose.
Back in 2017, Ohio was one of the states that passed a legislative bill to legalize daily fantasy sports. It’s estimated over two million people are actively engaged in some type of DFS contest.
There are many companies providing DFS in the state, including industry giants DraftKings and FanDuel. Yahoo! Fantasy Sports and emerging platforms like Underdog Sports and RealTime Fantasy Sports are also among the authorized companies to offer DFS contests to Ohio residents.
Some of the most popular contests include guaranteed prize pools (GPPs), cash games, showdowns, and tiers.
With a rich sports culture and one of the country’s most dedicated fan bases–especially when the Buckeyes play–Ohio is set to become a leading hub for sports betting nationwide. The state is home to several teams in the major leagues (MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLS), with cities like Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland all being represented. It is also known for its top-notch college football program.
The NFL is a key cog in Ohio’s sports betting market. Right now, the state’s presence in the league is bolstered by two teams, the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals. Led by quarterback Joe Burrow, the Bengals are one of the favorites for Super Bowl 2024.
The Browns, on the other hand, have yet to achieve much success. They did win the NFL Championship four times prior to the NFL-AFL merger, but that was in the 1950s and 60s.
There used to be an NBA team in Cincinnati. It was called the Cincinnati Royals, now the Sacramento Kings. The Cleveland Cavaliers are now Ohio’s only NBA representative. The team has had spurts of success, led by one of the best players in basketball’s recent history: LeBron James. The phenom took the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals five times between 2007 and 2018, and they finally won their first NBA championship in 2016.
Cleveland came back from a 3-1 deficit in that series, the first time in the history of the NBA Finals a team rallied from such a disadvantage to win the title.
Major League Baseball is proudly represented in Ohio by two of the oldest teams, the Cincinnati Reds and the Cleveland Guardians. The Reds were founded in 1881, and the Guardians twenty years later in 1901. Both of the teams have won the World Series and have seen legendary stars wear their jerseys. In the case of the Guardians, some of their most famous players have been Bob Feller, Tris Speaker, and Larry Doby, and in the case of Cincinnati, its icons include Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, and Pete Rose. These three were part of a team that won back-to-back championships in 1975 and 1976.
This season, both teams are thriving. The Cincinnati Reds are first in the NL Central, while the Cleveland Guardians are leading the AL Central.
In 2000, Ohio finally got a professional hockey team, when the Columbus Blue Jackets were designated a new expansion franchise. The Blue Jackets quickly garnered extensive support from Ohio’s dedicated fan base. In the 2008-2009 season, the Blue Jackets reached the playoffs for the first time, and in 2018-2019, they advanced to the second round, in what remains their most successful performance up to date.
Even though they haven’t won the Stanley Cup yet, some Blue Jackets’ players have gained individual recognition–for example, Steve Mason won the Calder Memorial Trophy, which is given to the best rookie, and Sergei Bobrovsky won the Vezina Trophy, which is awarded to the league’s best goaltender.
In 2018, FC Cincinnati joined Major League Soccer as an expansion team. The club made its debut in the 2019 season, and in 2021, the club’s home ground TQL Stadium was finally inaugurated, permitting the club to play its games on soccer-specific turf.
Although the club is relatively new, it has already built a strong rivalry with in-state counterpart the Columbus Crew. The Crew is one of the founding teams of MLS, and its home base–Lower.com Field–was the first soccer-specific stadium in the league. The Crew won the MLS Cup in 2008, and reached the finals of the regional competition CONCACAF Champions League in 2020. Some famous players that have worn the Crew’s jersey are Brian McBride, one of the top goalscorers for the United States national team, and Guillermo Barros Schelotto, an Argentine playmaker known for his creativity and vision on the pitch.
As soccer keeps growing in popularity, it is anticipated that the antagonism between Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati will intensify. The derby is already called “Hell Is Real,” in relation to a large sign that can be seen along Interstate 71, which connects the cities of Columbus and Cincinnati.
College football is one of the most popular sports in Ohio. Over 100,000 fans regularly show up to support the Buckeyes at the Horseshoe. Emotions are especially strong when they play against the University of Michigan, and over time, a bitter rivalry has been built up between the two schools.
Ohio State has won multiple national championships, clinching the title in 1942, 1954, 1957, 1961, 1968, 1970, 2002, and 2014, and have won the Big Ten Conference championship multiple times. Many players have gone on to thrive in the NFL and build storied careers, such as Archie Griffin, Eddie George, Orlando Pace, and Cris Carter.
In basketball, Ohio State has also achieved some notoriety. In 1939, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1999, and 2007, the team reached the Final Four. NBA players Jerry Lucas (champion with the New York Knicks), John Havlicek (part of the dominant Boston Celtics who won eight NBA titles), Greg Oden, Mike Conley Jr., and D’Angelo Russell played for Ohio State.
While the Buckeyes are the most popular collegiate team in the state, there are other squads that are worth keeping an eye on, such as the University of Cincinnati, the University of Dayton, Miami University, Xavier University, and Bowling Green State.
According to PlayOhio, there are 14 retail sportsbooks across the state. However, the same organization reports that only about 1.5% of revenue comes from retail, with most bettors preferring to place their wagers online. However, retail sportsbooks, especially those that are partnered with bars and restaurants, can be an entertaining place to hang out and watch the games live. This enhances the experience of betting on your favorite teams.
While many physical sportsbooks are located at casinos and racinos, brands like BetMGM and Caesars have strategically chosen sports stadiums as the site for their retail operations. BetMGM has a sportsbook at Great American Ball Park, home of the Cincinnati Reds, and Caesars has a location at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, where the Cleveland Cavaliers play.
Here’s a list of the physical sportsbooks that can be visited in Ohio.
| Sportsbook Operator | Partner | Location |
| Barstool Sportsbook | Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course | Austintown |
| Barstool Sportsbook | Hollywood Casino Columbus | Columbus |
| Barstool Sportsbook | Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway | Dayton |
| Barstool Sportsbook | Hollywood Casino Toledo | Toledo |
| BetJACK | JACK Cleveland Casino | Cleveland |
| BetJACK | JACK Thistledown Racino | Cleveland |
| BetMGM | Great American Ballpark | Cincinnati |
| BetMGM | MGM Northfield Park | Northfield |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse | Cleveland |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Scioto Downs | Columbus |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | Belterra Park | Anderson Township |
| Hard Rock | Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati | Cincinnati |
| MVG Bet | Miami Valley Gaming | Warren County |
| SuperBook Sportsbook | Taft's Ale House (operated by FC Cincinnati) | Cincinnati |
The Buckeye State is located in a region where sports betting is prevalent. Placing wagers is legal in almost all of them: Michigan, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Indiana. The only neighboring state where sports betting was illegal when Ohio legalized it is Kentucky. However, since then, Gov. Andy Beshear signed Bill HB 551 into law, and it is expected that sportsbooks will launch in the state on September 28th, 2023.
Especially for cities located near the state borders, something that can drive competition between states when it comes to sports betting is the tax rate. Since Gov. Mike DeWine opted to raise the tax rate from 10% to 20%, Ohio was placed at a disadvantage in comparison to Michigan (8.4%), West Virginia (10%), and Indiana (9.5%). However, it still has an advantageous position against Pennsylvania, which taxes sports betting revenue at 36%, one of the highest rates in the nation.
Ohio is known for being one of the states that offers plenty of flexibility when it comes to payments and withdrawals. This is something that is important for bettors, as no one likes to struggle when making a deposit or have trouble withdrawing winnings.
As of now, some of the banking options available in Ohio are:
Each sportsbook has different stipulations regarding which methods they accept. Processing times also vary. Therefore, we suggest that before choosing your default sportsbook, make sure that they accept deposits and can send your withdrawals to the payment method that works best for you.
Sports betting is legal in Ohio, but that doesn’t mean that it is legal to place a bet on any sportsbook. Through strategically-placed digital advertisements, lucrative bonuses, and misleading campaigns, offshore sportsbooks like Bovada, BetAdrian, MyBookie, and Zenit have targeted Ohio bettors.
The main issue with these sportsbooks is that if an incident happens, like the bookmaker refusing to pay your winnings or closing your account because you have placed too many successful bets, the legal authorities in Ohio will not be able to assist you. The state of Ohio has not given them a license to operate in the state, and as such, there is no legal recourse that can work in your favor.
We strongly advise avoiding sportsbooks that are not officially recognized in the state. As of now, 18 sportsbooks have been authorized to operate in Ohio. The ones that are already live are Barstool, bet365, Betfred, betJACK, BetMGM, betPARX, BetRivers, Betr, Betway, Caesars, FanDuel, Hard Rock, MVGBet, SuperBook, Tipico, and Fanatics. Out of the Gate, PlayUp, Prophet Exchange, Underdog Sports and WynnBET are all expected to launch soon.
Since January 1st, 2023, when sportsbooks were given the green light to operate in Ohio, residents 21 years of age and older have been able to place their wagers both online and in person.
Throughout these pages, we have covered the sportsbooks that are currently live and have been granted approval to operate in Ohio. We expect more sportsbooks to launch soon.
Many sportsbooks currently operating in the state have attractive bonuses and promotions, and the legacy and pride of the state teams–like the Reds and the Cavaliers–is likely to make Ohio one of the top betting markets nationwide. For more updates, stay tuned. Your journey to success as an Ohio sports bettor starts here, at Lines.com.
The Supreme Court granted state-level legislatures the freedom to decide to allow sportsbooks to operate in their state when it repealed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) on May 14th, 2018.
Since then, sports betting has gradually gained acceptance, and leading sportsbooks have been granted approval to take bets in a growing number of states.
As of now, this is how the sports betting landscape looks in terms of legality.
| State | Online | Retail |
| Arizona | Yes | Yes |
| Arkansas | Yes | Yes |
| Colorado | Yes | Yes |
| Connecticut | Yes | Yes |
| District of Columbia | Yes | Yes |
| Delaware | No | Yes |
| Illinois | Yes | Yes |
| Indiana | Yes | Yes |
| Iowa | Yes | Yes |
| Kansas | Yes | Yes |
| Kentucky | Yes (Launching September 28, 2023) | Yes (Launching September 7, 2023) |
| Louisiana | Yes | Yes |
| Maine | Yes (Launch expected 2023-2024) | Yes (Launch expected 2023-2024) |
| Maryland | Yes | Yes |
| Michigan | Yes | Yes |
| Mississippi | No | Yes |
| Nevada | Yes | Yes |
| New Hampshire | Yes | Yes |
| New Jersey | Yes | Yes |
| New York | Yes | Yes |
| North Carolina | Yes (Launch expected 2024) | Yes |
| Ohio | Yes | Yes |
| Oregon | Yes | Yes |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | Yes |
| Puerto Rico | Yes | Yes |
| Rhode Island | Yes | Yes |
| Tennessee | Yes | No |
| Vermont | Yes (Launch expected 2023-2024) | No |
| Virginia | Yes | Yes |
| Washington | No | Yes |
| West Virginia | Yes | Yes |
| Wisconsin | No | Yes |
| Wyoming | Yes | Yes |
As lawmakers introduce new bills to eliminate the bans on sports betting in their respective states, the landscape is expected to keep changing, and we foresee that more states will gradually permit their residents to place wagers both in person and online.
To stay on top of the sports betting news, check out this guide we have created for you. We are constantly updating it so that you can have the latest information. To see how new ballot initiatives are progressing, visit the American Gaming Association’s website.
From the moment that sports betting was legalized in Ohio, the state has adopted considerable measures to ensure that gaming is conducted responsibly. This protects Ohio residents from gambling-related problems.
One of these initiatives is Time Out Ohio, a voluntary self-exclusion program through which individuals can effectively ban themselves from engaging with Ohio’s casinos and sports betting operators, either for one year, five years, or for the rest of their life. Even though many sportsbooks already offer this program individually, this is a way for bettors who are showing signs of irresponsible gambling behavior to address their underlying issues instead of bouncing to new sportsbooks. To sign up, visit Time Out Ohio or call 1-800-589-9966.
Other organizations in the state include Ohio for Responsible Gambling, which provides people with an online resource directory that includes support groups, counseling, and more. There’s also the State of Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services.
Nationwide initiatives exist to support people who are showing signs of a gaming problem. If you or anyone you know is dealing with gambling-related concerns, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Yes. Following the approval of Bill H.B. 29, sports betting became legal in Ohio, and operators officially launched on January 1st, 2023. As of now, there are 18 online sportsbooks authorized to operate in the state.
Yes, FanDuel is one of the sportsbooks that has been granted approval to take bets in Ohio.
To be able to place a bet in Ohio, you need to be 21 years or older.
Yes, you can bet on college sports in Ohio.
