Buckle up Buckeye State – Ohio Sports Betting Will Launch Jan. 1, 2023

• The Ohio Casino Control Commission announced a Jan. 1, 2023 launch date for legal sports betting
• Ohio Casino Control Commission executive director said it will be the largest simultaneous sports betting launch in the country
• 46 online sports betting operators will be allowed in the state

It’s about time for Ohio sports betting.

Ohio Casino Control Commission Executive Director Matt Schuler announced Ohio sports betting will launch on Jan. 1, 2023. All retail, online and sports betting kiosk services will be allowed on this universal start date.

It’s the latest date Ohio’s sports betting program can launch by law, according to its approved sports betting bill.

2023 Ohio Sports Betting Launch Bad News for Football Fans

The launch date will give all operators in the state an appropriate amount of time to prepare their services, acquire licenses, develop gaming and facility plans, and organize the necessary geolocation procedures to offer sports betting.

“Jan. 1, 2023, will be the largest ever simultaneous launch of sports betting in the United States,” Schuler said.

The late launch date means Ohio will miss the majority of the NFL season and the entirety of the college football regular season. It will be in time for bettors to place wagers on the Rose Bowl on Jan. 2, the College Football National Championship on Jan. 9, the Super Bowl on Feb. 12 and the March Madness college basketball tournaments.

Ohio Sports Betting Systems Full Go in 2023

On Jan. 1, 2023, Ohio will launch a massive retail and online sports betting program. Ohio’s approved sports betting bill legalized retail and online sports betting for casinos, racinos and professional sports franchises. It also will allow sports betting kiosks to be installed in retail establishments with D-class liquor licenses.

The state will offer three types of licenses for operators. Type A licenses will allow for online sports betting, Type B licenses for retail sports betting, and Type C licenses for the installation of sports betting kiosks.

The bill allows a maximum of 25 type A licenses. There are currently 21 potential Type A license holders, each which will be able to partner with up to two sportsbook operators. The remaining four Type A licenses (to reach the cap of 25) are only permitted to contract with one online sportsbook operator each.  This would allow for a maximum of 46 online operators in the state.

Each Ohio casino, racino, and professional sports franchise will be able to apply for a Type A license and may partner with a sportsbook operator if they choose. These entities can apply for and potentially receive a second Type A license if they meet certain requirements. In addition to the 10 professional Ohio sports teams, NASCAR could operate a sportsbook at the Mid-Ohio Speedway and the PGA can operate a sportsbook at an Ohio course as well.

Announced Ohio Sports Betting Partnerships

Several partnerships have already been announced in Ohio.

Earlier in the year, Bally’s Interactive and the Cleveland Browns announced a partnership to declaring Bally’s an official sports betting partner of the franchise. The Bally Bet Ohio agreement includes a branded lounge at FirstEnergy Stadium, the launch of the mobile Bally Bet Sportsbook app and free-to-play gaming opportunities for fans in the state.

🚨 BREAKING 🚨

Bally's Interactive is joining the Dawg Pound in a multi-year agreement with the @ClevelandBrowns!

Highlights include Bally Bet market access in Ohio and a branded Bally Bet Sportsbook lounge within FirstEnergy Stadium.

More details: https://t.co/be2pjmBsSt. pic.twitter.com/cWmmqd7Q7Q

— Bally Bet (@BallyBet) April 26, 2022

The Cleveland Cavaliers have entered into two sports betting partnerships with two different companies. Caesars Sportsbook was named an “official sports betting partner” with the Cavaliers and the agreement includes plans to open a best-in-class retail sportsbook on the street level inside the northwest atrium area of the team’s home venue, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

Fubo Gaming will be an “official mobile sports betting partner” with the Cavs and will feature the opening of a 3,000 square foot sports lounge inside Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

The PGA Tour and betPARX announced a partnership in March, allowing betPARX to become the exclusive sports betting sponsor of the Memorial Tournament, held annually in the spring at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. The tournament and betPARX will apply for a Type A license to offer online sports betting.

Finally, Tipico and the Columbus Crew announced a long-term partnership agreement in January 2022. The partnership allows Tipico to launch its mobile sports betting app in the state, receive entitle rights to marquee Crew assets, including a beer garden and club, and brand integration throughout Lower.com Field.

All of these partnerships are dependent on licensing and regulatory approvals.