16 Digital platforms and 12 retail locations in Ohio receive clearance to commence operations on Sunday.

Legal Sports Betting Launches in Ohio on New Year's Day

Ohio residents can now place legal sports bets, as the state's sports betting market officially launched on January 1, 2023. Both digital platforms (online sportsbooks) and physical retail sportsbooks are now available for sports enthusiasts to enjoy.

On the first day of the new year, 13 brick-and-mortar sportsbooks began accepting wagers. Some of the major sportsbooks that launched on January 1 include:

bet365 (online)
betJACK (online)
BetMGM (online and retail)
BetR (online and retail)
Caesars (online and retail)
DraftKings (online and retail)
FanDuel (online and retail)
Hard Rock (retail and possibly online)
MVGBet (online)

Additional sportsbooks, such as Bally Bet, betPARX, ESPN BET, Fanatics Sportsbook, and Prime Sportsbook, launched later in 2023 but are now active.

The Ohio Casino Control Commission has granted final regulatory approval to a total of 16 digital sports betting platforms to launch. However, some platforms, such as BetFanatics and Underdog Sportsbook, have initial approval but do not plan to go live on Jan. 1.

Sports betting will be available at Great American Ballpark and Taft's Ale House in partnership with FC Cincinnati, marking the first time an MLS team will participate on a launch day. FC Cincinnati has also been granted a sports betting license and has partnered with Superbook Sports betting app. Superbook Sports will open a new location at FC Cincinnati.

Ohio law requires digital platforms to be tethered to a physical property, and approved physical locations are entitled to two digital skins. This means that some online sportsbooks are connected to physical retail sportsbooks. For example, MGM will open its second retail book at a ballfield and one at Northfield Park. JACK Entertainment will open two in-person sportsbooks.

Consumers will be able to legally wager on the Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, and various other options. The Ohio lottery plans to have kiosks available at various locations, including bowling alleys, bars, and grocery stores, but the exact locations and timeline are not yet clear.

The Ohio Casino Control Commission requires entities that plan to have a mobile platform to get a mobile management service providers license. Many digital platforms plan to go live at 12:01 a.m. on New Year's Day or soon afterward.

PENN Entertainment plans to open four Barstool Sportsbook-branded locations. Caesars Entertainment plans to launch its mobile platform at Scioto Downs.

The following retail sportsbooks plan to open on Jan. 1: Belterra Park (FanDuel), FC Cincinnati at Taft's Ale House (Superbook), Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati (Hard Rock Digital), Hollywood Casino Columbus (Barstool Sportsbook), Hollywood Casino Toledo (Barstool Sportsbook), Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway (Barstool Sportsbook), Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley (Barstool Sportsbook), JACK Cleveland Casino (betJACK), JACK Thistledown Racino (betJACK), Northfield Park (BetMGM), Scioto Downs (Caesars), The Cincinnati Reds at the Machine Room (BetMGM).

Sportsbooks with planned but not yet launched digital platforms as of August 2025 include Out the Gate and Underdog.

Ohio will make history by allowing sports bets on Sunday. The state licensed 25 Type-A (online) and 40 Type-B (retail) sportsbook licenses, facilitating a broad choice of both online and physical venues. Ohio does not have tribal casinos, so all retail sportsbooks are tied to commercial casinos or racetracks like Hard Rock Casino, MGM Northfield Park, and Miami Valley Gaming.

Here is a summary of the sportsbooks that launched on January 1, 2023, and their launch type:

This represents both the digital platforms and physical sportsbook locations active or planned around the initial legal sports betting launch in Ohio.

The sports betting industry in Ohio has seen a significant shakeup with the arrival of various major players in the field.
As of January 1, 2023, Ohio's sports betting market offers odds on a wide range of sports, including football, basketball, baseball, hockey, golf, tennis, mixed-martial-arts, and racing.
Ohio law mandates that digital sports betting platforms be linked to physical properties, providing consumers with a mix of online and physical retail sportsbooks.
The personal-finance implications of sports betting for consumers have become a matter of debate, as it can be both a form of entertainment and a potential source of revenue.
The business aspect of sports betting extends beyond just the casinos and gambling establishments, affecting industries such as technology, education, and self-development.
General-news outlets are heavily covering the sports betting launch in Ohio, providing updates on the various platforms and their progress.
With the launch of legal sports betting, the overall lifestyle of sports enthusiasts in Ohio is expected to undergo a transformation.
The sports betting industry in Ohio is projected to generate substantial revenue for the state's finance, contributing to the broader economy.
The sports betting market in Ohio offers a variety of wager options, allowing consumers to place bets on their favorite teams, sometimes at long odds.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission has licensed a total of 65 sportsbooks (25 Type-A online and 40 Type-B retail), making it one of the most accessible sports betting markets in the country.
The launch of sports betting in Ohio marks a significant step for the state, bringing it into the company of other states that have legalized sports betting.
Casinos and gambling establishments in Ohio are eagerly awaiting the full potential of the sports betting market, as it is expected to boost the entertainment industry in the state.

16 Digital platforms and 12 retail locations in Ohio receive clearance to commence operations on Sunday.