Contenders under the radar and passionate backers included unexpected applicants for gambling licenses in Ohio
Sports Betting Heats Up in Ohio
Ohio's sports betting market is seeing a flurry of activity as various entities, including well-known sportsbooks and local sports teams, are jumping into the fray.
MGM appears to have plans for three retail sportsbooks in Ohio, with JACK Entertainment's Cleveland and Thistledown locations partnering with PlayUp for a BetJACK-branded mobile site. Fanatics, known for its sports merchandise, has applied for a sports wagering license in Ohio, aiming to partner with both the NHL Columbus Blue Jackets and the MLB Cleveland Guardians.
Underdog Fantasy, already licensed in Colorado, plans to launch in Ohio and Colorado in early 2023, partnering with the MLB Cincinnati Reds on a digital sports wagering platform. The Cleveland Browns have a mobile deal with Bally's and a retail partnership with Caesars, while the Cincinnati Bengals have a mobile partnership with Betfred but not a retail partner.
Professional sports teams such as the Cleveland Guardians and Cincinnati Bengals are actively involved, with the Guardians partnering with bet365 and BetRivers, and the Bengals applying for a license themselves.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission, which regulates these licenses, has established a three-tiered licensing system: Type A for online apps (limit of 25), Type B for retail establishments (limit of 33), and Type C for kiosks inside liquor-licensed venues. Notable retail locations include Hollywood Casinos, Great American Ball Park, JACK casinos, Nationwide Arena, and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Thistledown Racino has not yet announced a mobile partner, and Miami Valley Gaming Racino did not list any mobile or retail partners. Phantom Fireworks, the leading retailer of consumer fireworks in Ohio, and Ravencrest Partners, a real estate company, both applied for retail licenses but did not list partners.
The NBA Cleveland Cavaliers have a mobile partnership with Fubo Sportsbook and a retail deal with Caesars. FC Cincinnati has mobile and retail partnerships with Superbook Sports, while the PGA Tour's Muirfield Village Golf Club has mobile and retail partnerships with Parx Interactive.
Geneva Sports/SPIRE, a sports academy in metro Cleveland, applied for mobile and retail licenses with partner Out the Gate. The Reds have a retail partnership with MGM, and bet365 will have a mobile presence through the Guardians.
The deadline for the second window is Aug. 15, and Fanatics has applied for three sports wagering licenses in Ohio, two for online sportsbooks and one for a brick-and-mortar sportsbook. Beyond Underdog Fantasy and Fanatics, other entities that applied for or hold sports betting licenses in Ohio include bet365, Caesars Sportsbook, BetMGM, DraftKings, ESPN BET, Betr, FanDuel, Hard Rock Bet, betJACK, Bally Bet, betPARX, BetRivers, MVGBet, Prime Sports, and Betfred (which left the market in August 2024).
- MGM plans to establish three retail sportsbooks in Ohio, with partnerships already announced for two locations.
- Underdog Fantasy, already licensed in Colorado, aims to launch in Ohio and Colorado in early 2023, partnering with the MLB Cincinnati Reds.
- The Ohio sports betting market is attracting various entities, including professional sports teams, technology companies, and finance groups.
- Fanatics has applied for three sports wagering licenses in Ohio, with plans to partner with both the NHL Columbus Blue Jackets and the MLB Cleveland Guardians.
- Local sports teams, such as the Cleveland Guardians and Cincinnati Bengals, are actively involved in sports betting, forming partnerships with various sportsbooks for both mobile and retail operations.
- The Ohio Casino Control Commission has established a three-tiered licensing system for sports betting, including Type A for online apps, Type B for retail establishments, and Type C for kiosks.
- General news outlets have reported on the increasing involvement of sports teams, technology companies, and finance groups in the Ohio sports betting market, suggesting a growing trend in entertainment and lifestyle finance.
