Ohio Online Sports Betting Guide: Mobile Sportsbook Apps Set For Launch In 2021

Ohio is the next great domino to fall in the midwest, as sports betting will be legal eventually. This is straight from Ohio’s Governor DeWine, who was quoted in March 2021 about it being “when and not if” in Ohio. Sports betting will be legal and regulated in Ohio, it is just a matter of time.

In the northern part of the midwest, or “Big Ten country” as college sports fans would call it, there is legal sports betting available everywhere. With Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, West Virginia, and even Pennsylvania (western, PA) all in B1G country, all having legal sportsbook access. The one state left that is behind is Ohio, but that could be changing soon enough. With reports saying that Ohio may be one of the next states to offer legal sports betting, we will look into how the sports betting landscape will look in the state, what legal sportsbooks we could see, what sports available and more.

Here is the latest on sports betting in Ohio, when you will be able to wager, which sportsbooks will enter the state and more.

Ohio Legal Sports Betting Update

March 2021 Ohio Update

In March 2021, Governor Mike DeWine of Ohio was quoted when asked about iGaming in the state:

“Sports gaming’s already in Ohio. Ohio’s just not regulating it. This is something that I think is inevitable. It’s coming to Ohio.”

DeWine also said in the press interview:

“The members of the general assembly are working that process,” DeWine said. “I will have the opportunity to see what they came up with. I will have the opportunity to weigh in at the appropriate time. But sports gaming is certainly coming to Ohio.”

Ohio legalizing sports betting is coming soon, as it is a matter of when not if. This is a much needed update for bettors in Ohio, and great news for operators looking to get into Ohio. If you wish to watch the entire press conference, you can do so here.

2021 Update

As of early 2020, there were two possible bills that have come to the forefront, but only one was “passed”, but it did not mean much. Sports betting in Ohio is closer to the finish line, but it is not finished yet. The bill that was “passed” in May HB194, which has the following:

• Would allow for tax sports betting in Ohio, taxed.
• Lottery Commission would be controlling body (no more details on what that means)
• This version of the bill would allow for a “place-specific” betting style, including VFWs, casinos, etc.

The hard part is figuring out exactly what the mobile sports betting cycle will look like. Will it be one app like Oregon? Will they allow for others to enter such as DraftKings and FanDuel Sportsbooks? Time will tell, but it is expected to be ratified sooner, rather than later.

To summarize, this was the first bill, as there will need to be a full legislation to be released and agreed upon before sports betting in Ohio will begin.

Potential Legal Online Betting Apps in Ohio

In states with legal sports betting, many of them have the ability to offer top-notch sportsbooks from various platforms. Ohio could follow suit, but they would need any outside mobile apps not to be controlled by the state lottery, which has led to many issues in other states such as Oregon and Delaware. If that does happen to be the case, it does not bode well for mobile sports betting in Ohio. Nothing is confirmed, but it is likely that Ohio will not adopt this and it will allow for the following top-tier sportsbook platforms to be offered. Expect to see the following in the state of Ohio, assuming it is allowed.

DraftKings Ohio Sportsbook

FOX Bet Ohio

BetMGM Ohio

When can I bet on sports in Ohio?

As of March 1, 2021 it looks like sports betting will be coming to Ohio relatively soon. Governor Mike DeWine says that it is not a matter of if, but when in Ohio. We expect this to be by the end of 2021, or early 2022. States try to align launches with big periods in sports, such as the Super Bowl or the NCAA Tournament. Expect the timing to be around one of those events when Ohio does go live.

What sports can I bet on in Ohio?

Assuming that the laws passed in Ohio once sports betting is legalized and regulated are on par with other states, we can fully expect nearly every sport to be available to wager on. Some states have restrictions on esports, so we will assume no esports betting in Ohio until confirmed.

Here are some sports that you can expect to wager on in Ohio, upon legalization.

• Auto Racing
• Baseball
• Basketball
• Bowling
• Boxing
• Cricket
• Football
• Golf
• Hockey
• Lacrosse
• Mixed Martial Arts
• Olympics
• Rugby
• Sailing
• Soccer
• Tennis
• Track and Field

Types of Legal Sports Betting in Ohio

Once legal sports betting is enacted and regulated in the state of Ohio, it is expected that all betting types will be able to be wagered in the state. Here are some sports betting types that can be expected once the state has legalized.

• Moneylines
• Totals
• Spreads
• Props
• Parlays
• Teasers
• Futures
• In-Game Live Betting
• And more!

Ohio Sports Betting Law

Of course this is a fluid situation, but is there an Ohio sports betting law. What could we see? Based on the above tweet, there is potential that while Ohio legal sports betting is not ratified yet, it could be soon given the lack of hurdles, per Rep. Greenspan in this tweet. Could there be an 8% tax rate? Three skins allowed per casino? These would be very competitive to the other states that have ratified legal sports betting, but be sure to stay tuned as no official law or report has been ratified. The only thing that has been passed is the May bill that makes the lottery the regulator, but there are still things to be decided that will help the transition between just physical betting stations and mobile betting capability.

Two bills that were discussed in Ohio government were HB 194 and SB 111.

Ohio Sports Betting Frequently Asked Questions

Is online sports betting legal in Ohio?

Not yet. Reports say legal sports betting could take place in 2021.

How old do I have to be to bet in Ohio?

While the law is not officially ratified, it is likely that you will need to be 21 years of age or older to wager on sports in Ohio.

Can I legally bet on sports in Ohio?

Not yet. You will be able to wager on sports in Ohio legally after they pass a full legal sports betting bill. 2021 is likely.

Is DraftKings legal in Ohio?

DraftKings Sportsbook is not legal in Ohio as of early 2021, but after legal sports betting laws are fully enacted it is expected that DraftKings Sportsbook will be in the state.

When can I bet on sports in Ohio?

It is expected that in 2021 Ohio will have legal sports betting. Stay tuned for more information.