Ohio residents can place bets at mobile books or in-person when OH sports betting begins on January 1, 2023.
The law permits a maximum of 40 operators with Type B sports betting licenses to operate physical locations with betting terminals and windows. These operators must be located throughout the state. The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) has established standards that specify which 28 counties are eligible to host these retail sportsbooks based on their population and economic activity.
The largest counties are ok
Franklin, Cuyahoga, and Hamilton counties make up the state’s top three in terms of population. As a result, there can be a maximum of five retail sportsbooks per entity. The Columbus area’s Franklin County is home to five organizations that have been granted licenses: the MLS’ Columbus Crew, the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, Eldorado Gaming at Scioto Downs, Muirfield Village Golf Club, and Hollywood Casino Columbus.
The Browns, Guardians, and Cavaliers have all gained clearance, filling all five retail sportsbook licenses available in Cuyahoga County. However, in light of the Cuyahoga County restriction of five retail sportsbooks, two applications:
- Ravencrest
- Harry Buffalo
Have not been approved and would not be approved.
Several operators are still seeking license
There have only been three license applications among the 20 counties eligible for a single brick-and-mortar sportsbook: the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Stark County, SPIRE in Ashtabula County, and Lori’s Roadhouse in Butler County. The OCCC has not given its approval to any.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame submitted the first application for a sports betting license of its sort in the United States on July 1. SPIRE Institute, a sports-focused prep school 50 miles east of Cleveland in Geneva, is the oddest application for a sports betting license. Lori’s Roadhouse is a music and entertainment establishment close to Cincinnati that plays country music.
More counties are still eligible
There have been no applications for a brick-and-mortar license in the counties of:
Allen
Butler
Clark
Clermont
Columbiana
Delaware
Fairfield
Greene
Lake
Licking
Lorain
Miami
Medina
Portage
Richland
Stark
Trumbull
Wayne
Wood
All of these are eligible for at least one retail sportsbook.
