Upcoming Match-ups

Ohio Sports Betting Now Likely to Launch By End of 2022, Not Fall

Robert Linnehan

by Robert Linnehan in Sports Betting News

Updated Oct 26, 2022 · 8:14 AM PDT

Malaki Branham jogging on court looking up
Ohio State guard Malaki Branham is seen during an NCAA college basketball game against Iowa in Columbus, Ohio, Saturday, Feb.19, 2022. Iowa won 75-62 . (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)
  • Ohio sports betting’s universal launch date will be announced on June 1
  • The Ohio Casino Control Commission announced it would launch close to, if not on, Jan. 1, 2023
  • Several Ohio politicians said last week sports betting would launch by “mid to late fall”

Ohio sports betting will likely launch closer to the end of 2022, not in the fall, according to the Ohio Casino Control Commission.

The Ohio Casino Control Commission announced today that Ohio’s sports betting launch date is “likely to be close to, if not exactly on, January 1, 2023.” It’s a marked difference from last week, when several Ohio politicians predicted sports betting would launch in the mid-to-late fall in the Buckeye State.

Late 2022 Ohio Sports Betting Start, Not Late Fall

The casino control commission will announce the universal start date at its June 1 meeting.

The approximate Jan. 1, 2023 start date is the latest start date the Ohio sports betting bill allows. If it become a reality, Ohio will likely miss out on the entirety of the 2022 College Football regular season and the vast majority of the NFL regular season.

It’s a vast undertaking, according to the Ohio Casino Control Commission, and will require evaluations and investigation of potentially 3,000 sports betting license applications by the universal start date.

What Happened to Mid-to-Late Fall?

Perhaps the Ohio Casino Control Commission felt it necessary to break the news today, about a week after several Ohio politicians said sports betting would likely be up and running by mid-to-late fall.

During an interview on 1480 WHBC with Pam Cook last week, Sen. Kirk Schuring, one of the sponsor’s of Ohio’s approved sports betting bill, said the state would likely launch retail and online sports betting by the mid-to-late fall if everything goes right.

Schuring said the state will have a “universal start date” for all operators. Sixty days prior to the start date, the operators will have to submit responsible gaming plans, facility plans, equipment testing, geolocation procedures, house rules and required procedures to the Ohio Casino Control Commission.

Obviously this will no longer be a reality for Ohio sports betting fans.

Ohio Sports Betting Details

When online sports betting is operational, operators will be able to apply for three separate types of sports betting licenses.

The bill calls for a maximum of 25 type A licenses, which will allow license holders to operate online sports betting. 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.

Type C licenses allow for sports betting kiosks to be installed in retail establishments with D-class liquor licenses.

Author Image