Ohio Sports Betting

Ohio entered the legal sports betting market on January 1, 2023, and within twenty-four months had established itself as one of the four most profitable sports betting states in America. That trajectory was not accidental. The Buckeye State spent more than three years designing a regulatory framework specifically engineered to maximize market access, operator competition, and tax revenue — and the results have validated every element of that design. In 2025, Ohio sportsbooks processed $10.3 billion in total handle and generated more than $1.04 billion in gross sports betting revenue, making Ohio one of only four states to cross the billion-dollar revenue threshold alongside New York, New Jersey, and Illinois. For a state that placed its first legal wager barely two years earlier, that achievement represents one of the most successful market launches in the history of American sports betting.

The architecture of Ohio’s market is unlike any other state. House Bill 29, signed by Governor Mike DeWine on December 22, 2021, created a three-tier licensing system — Type A for online operators, Type B for retail sportsbooks, and Type C for self-service kiosks — that was deliberately designed to embed sports betting into the fabric of Ohio’s existing sports and entertainment infrastructure. Professional sports teams, casinos, racinos, bars, restaurants, and standalone operators can all participate in the market through different license types, creating a density of betting access that is unmatched outside of Nevada. The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) administers this complex ecosystem with a regulatory approach that prioritizes both market integrity and consumer protection, and the 20% tax rate on gross sports betting revenue has produced a substantial revenue stream that funds education, problem gambling prevention, and youth sports programs across the state.

Legal History: Three Years From Bill to Billion

Ohio’s journey to legal sports betting was longer and more contentious than many observers expected. The state’s existing gaming landscape — four casinos in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Toledo, plus seven racinos operating video lottery terminals — created a web of economic interests and regulatory relationships that any sports betting legislation had to navigate carefully. Multiple bills were introduced and died in committee between 2019 and 2021, as lawmakers debated fundamental questions about who should be allowed to operate sportsbooks, where retail betting should be permitted, and how much of the revenue should flow to the state.

The breakthrough came with House Bill 29, introduced by Representative Dave Greenspan in January 2021. The bill’s genius was its inclusivity — rather than restricting sports betting to existing casino licensees (as Pennsylvania and Michigan had done), it created multiple pathways for different types of operators to participate in the market. Professional sports teams could apply for Type A mobile licenses, giving organizations like the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Columbus Blue Jackets a direct stake in the sports betting ecosystem. Casinos and racinos could offer both online (Type A) and retail (Type B) operations. And the Type C kiosk license opened the door for sports betting at bars, restaurants, and other retail establishments — a concept borrowed from the video lottery terminal model that Ohio had already deployed at racinos.

Governor DeWine signed HB 29 on December 22, 2021, and the OCCC spent the following year building the regulatory infrastructure needed to support the most complex sports betting launch in U.S. history. The commission had to develop licensing procedures for three distinct license types, create compliance frameworks for operators ranging from multinational gaming corporations to neighborhood bars, establish geolocation and age verification standards for mobile betting, and coordinate with the Ohio Lottery Commission (which oversees Type C kiosk operations). The target launch date of January 1, 2023, was met with the kind of precision that would have been unimaginable in a less organized regulatory environment.

Key Legislative and Regulatory Timeline

Date	Event	Significance
January 2021	HB 29 introduced by Rep. Dave Greenspan	Three-tier license framework proposed
December 22, 2021	Governor DeWine signs HB 29	Ohio becomes 30th state to legalize sports betting
2022	OCCC develops regulations and licensing	Type A, B, and C frameworks established
January 1, 2023	Sports betting launches statewide	16 mobile apps, retail books, and kiosks go live simultaneously
January 2023	First month generates $1.1B handle	One of the strongest launch months in U.S. history
2023	Full-year handle reaches ~$7.7 billion	Market immediately enters top-5 nationally
2024	Handle grows to ~$8.88 billion	Revenue reaches $904.18 million
November 2025	Record monthly handle of $1.15 billion	Ohio State football and NFL drive all-time high
December 2025	Record monthly revenue of $137.9 million	14.5% hold rate produces unprecedented operator revenue
2025	Handle reaches $10.3B, revenue tops $1.04B	Ohio joins the billion-dollar revenue club

The OCCC: A New Kind of Gaming Regulator

The Ohio Casino Control Commission was originally established in 2012 to oversee the state’s four casinos, which had been authorized by a 2009 constitutional amendment. When HB 29 added sports betting to the OCCC’s portfolio, the commission faced a transformational challenge — it needed to evolve from regulating four physical properties into overseeing an ecosystem that would eventually include dozens of online operators, hundreds of retail locations, and thousands of kiosk terminals spread across the state.

The OCCC met that challenge by building a regulatory infrastructure that balances rigor with efficiency. The commission consists of four members — two appointed by the Governor, one by the Senate President, and one by the Speaker of the House — supported by a professional staff that includes compliance officers, auditors, investigators, and technology specialists. The OCCC’s monthly revenue reports, published as detailed PDFs on the commission’s website, provide the most granular public disclosure of sports betting financial data of any state regulator, breaking down handle, revenue, and tax contributions by individual operator and license type.

The commission has also demonstrated a willingness to address emerging issues proactively. In August 2025, the OCCC issued a formal warning to licensed operators regarding participation in prediction markets, making clear that any sportsbook offering prediction market-style products could jeopardize its Ohio license. This action, taken before any licensed operator had actually crossed the line, exemplified a regulatory philosophy that prioritizes clarity and prevention over after-the-fact enforcement.

The Three-Tier License System Explained

Ohio’s Type A / Type B / Type C licensing framework is the most innovative structural element of its sports betting market, and understanding how it works is essential for anyone who wants to fully leverage the state’s betting options.

Type A Licenses (Online/Mobile Sports Betting)

Type A licenses authorize operators to offer online and mobile sports betting throughout Ohio. These are the licenses held by the major national sportsbook brands, and they drive the overwhelming majority of handle — more than 98% of all wagers placed in Ohio are processed through Type A platforms. Type A licensees must partner with or be affiliated with an entity that qualifies as a “proprietor” under Ohio law, which can include professional sports teams, casinos, racinos, or other eligible organizations.

As of early 2026, the active Type A operators and their market performance include:

Sportsbook	Ohio Partner/Proprietor	Welcome Bonus	2025 Revenue Share	Key Strength
FanDuel	Betfair Interactive US (Bally’s Thistledown)	Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets	~43.4%	Market leader, best odds on spreads
DraftKings	Crown Ohio Gaming	Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets	~28.5%	Widest prop market selection
ESPN BET	Penn Interactive / Hollywood Columbus	Up to $1,000 First Bet Reset	~8.2%	ESPN media integration
BetMGM	MGM Resorts (Ohio partnership)	Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets	~6.8%	Largest welcome bonus
Caesars Sportsbook	American Wagering / Caesars Ohio	Up to $1,000 First Bet	~4.5%	Caesars Rewards loyalty program
bet365	bet365 Ohio	Bet $1, Get $200 in Bonus Bets	~3.8%	Best live in-play platform
BetRivers	Rush Street Interactive Ohio	100% Deposit Match up to $500	~2.1%	Best deposit match bonus
Fanatics Sportsbook	Columbus Blue Jackets	Get Up to $1,000 in No Sweat Bets	~1.2%	FanCash loyalty currency
Hard Rock Bet	Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati	No Sweat Bet up to $100	~0.7%	Growing national brand
Bally Bet	Cleveland Browns	Second Chance Bet up to $100	<0.5%	NFL team partnership
MVGBet	Miami Valley Gaming (Lebanon)	$50 Free Bet	<0.5%	Local Ohio operator
SuperBook	FC Cincinnati	$250 First Bet Bonus	<0.5%	Vegas legacy brand
Underdog Sportsbook	Cincinnati Reds	$100 Deposit Match	<0.5%	Pick’em and best ball focus

FanDuel’s dominance in Ohio is even more pronounced than in most other states. Through the first eleven months of 2025, FanDuel captured 43.4% of all online sports betting revenue in Ohio, totaling $385.9 million. DraftKings held a strong second position, and the gap between the top two and the rest of the field is among the widest of any major U.S. market. The professional sports team partnerships that HB 29 enabled — the Browns with Bally Bet, the Blue Jackets with Fanatics, the Reds with Underdog, FC Cincinnati with SuperBook — have added operator diversity but have not yet translated into significant market share challenges to the established national brands.

Type B Licenses (Retail Sportsbooks)

Type B licenses authorize physical sportsbook operations at designated locations, typically within or adjacent to casinos and racinos. These retail facilities offer the traditional sportsbook experience — large screens, betting windows, self-service kiosks, and dedicated staff. While retail handle represents a small fraction of Ohio’s total sports betting volume, these locations serve an important role for bettors who prefer in-person transactions or the social atmosphere of a physical sportsbook.

Retail Sportsbook	Location	City	Operator Brand
JACK Cleveland Casino	Public Square	Cleveland	JACK Entertainment / bet365
JACK Thistledown Racino	Emery Road	North Randall	JACK Entertainment / FanDuel
Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati	Broadway Street	Cincinnati	Hard Rock / Seminole
Hollywood Casino Columbus	Georgesville Road	Columbus	Penn Entertainment / ESPN BET
Hollywood Casino Toledo	Miami Street	Toledo	Penn Entertainment / ESPN BET
Hollywood Gaming Dayton Raceway	State Route 4	Dayton	Penn Entertainment / ESPN BET
Hollywood Gaming Mahoning Valley	Youngstown-Warren Road	Austintown	Penn Entertainment / ESPN BET
MGM Northfield Park	Northfield Road	Northfield	BetMGM
Miami Valley Gaming	State Route 63	Lebanon	MVGBet / Churchill Downs
Belterra Park	Kellogg Avenue	Cincinnati	Caesars / Boyd Gaming
Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs	South High Street	Columbus	Caesars

Type C Licenses (Self-Service Kiosks)

Type C licenses are Ohio’s most distinctive contribution to sports betting market design. These licenses authorize the placement of self-service sports betting kiosks in bars, restaurants, bowling alleys, fraternal organizations, and other retail establishments that hold a liquor license. The concept expands sports betting access far beyond the casino floor, embedding it into the everyday social fabric of Ohio communities. Type C kiosks are regulated by the Ohio Lottery Commission rather than the OCCC, creating a parallel oversight structure for this tier of the market.

Kiosk wagers are capped at lower limits than Type A and Type B operations, and the betting menu is typically more limited — focused on major sports and standard market types rather than the deep prop and live betting catalogs available through mobile apps. DraftKings and Caesars operate the majority of Type C kiosk networks across the state, with terminals deployed at hundreds of locations from neighborhood sports bars in Cleveland to family restaurants in rural southeastern Ohio.

Handle, Revenue, and Ohio’s Explosive Growth

Ohio’s sports betting trajectory since its January 2023 launch has been nothing short of remarkable. The state generated more handle in its first full year than most states produce in their first three, and it crossed the $10 billion annual handle threshold in just its third calendar year of operations. The revenue story is equally impressive, with Ohio joining an exclusive club of billion-dollar revenue states in 2025.

Year	Total Handle	Gross Revenue	Tax Revenue (20%)	YoY Handle Change
2023	~$7.7 billion	~$720 million	~$144 million	Launch year
2024	~$8.88 billion	~$904.2 million	~$180.8 million	+15.3%
2025	~$10.3 billion	~$1,040 million	~$209 million	+16.0%

The 15.6% year-over-year revenue growth from 2024 to 2025 is particularly noteworthy because it was driven by both volume increases and improved operator efficiency. Handle grew 16% year-over-year, reflecting continued market penetration as Ohioans who had been slow to adopt legal sports betting during the initial launch period gradually entered the market. At the same time, operator hold rates have been climbing, with December 2025 recording a 14.5% hold rate on approximately $954 million in handle, producing a single-month revenue record of $137.9 million.

The monthly patterns are driven primarily by football. Ohio is one of the most football-obsessed states in America, home to two NFL franchises (the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals), one of the most storied college football programs in history (Ohio State Buckeyes), and a deep culture of high school football that permeates communities from Toledo to Zanesville. November 2025 set the all-time monthly handle record at $1.15 billion, driven by a convergence of late-season NFL action, Ohio State’s push toward the College Football Playoff, and the Bengals’ competitive campaign. January 2025 had previously held the record at $1.01 billion, boosted by NFL playoff betting and the start of a new calendar year.

The 20% Tax Rate and Revenue Allocation

Ohio’s 20% tax on gross sports betting revenue represents a middle-ground approach that balances the state’s appetite for gaming revenue against the need to maintain a competitive market that attracts operator investment. The rate is higher than Michigan (8.4%), New Jersey (13%), and Colorado (10%), but significantly lower than New York (51%), Pennsylvania (36%), and Illinois (up to 40%).

A distinctive element of Ohio’s tax structure is the treatment of promotional credits. Under Ohio law (Revenue Code 5753.01), promotional gaming credits are not deductible from gross receipts for revenue calculation purposes. This means that when an operator offers a $200 bonus bet promotion, the resulting handle counts toward taxable revenue even if the bettor is wagering with house money. This policy has been a point of contention between operators and regulators — operators argue it discourages promotional spending that drives customer acquisition, while the state maintains it prevents operators from using promotional credits to artificially reduce their tax obligations.

The tax revenue generated by Ohio’s sports betting market is allocated through the Sports Gaming Profits Tax Fund, with distributions directed to:

• Problem gambling prevention and treatment — a significant portion funds the Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline, treatment centers, and educational programs
• Education and the Ohio General Revenue Fund — the largest share of tax revenue supports general state operations
• Youth sports programs — Governor DeWine has been a vocal advocate for directing sports betting revenue toward youth athletic programs statewide
• Regulatory costs — a portion funds the OCCC’s operational budget, ensuring that the regulatory body is self-sustaining

In 2025, sports betting generated approximately $209 million in tax revenue for the state — a figure that has given legislators significant incentive to protect and expand the market. Governor DeWine has proposed increasing the tax rate to fund additional youth sports and infrastructure programs, a proposal that drew mixed reactions from operators who argue that a higher rate could reduce promotional spending and slow market growth.

The Ohio State Effect: College Football as Market Driver

No analysis of Ohio’s sports betting market is complete without examining the outsized influence of Ohio State University football on betting volumes. The Buckeyes are more than a football team in Ohio — they are a cultural institution that commands attention from 11.8 million state residents and a nationwide fan base. Ohio State games consistently generate some of the highest single-event handle volumes in the state, and the program’s annual presence in national championship conversations ensures sustained betting interest throughout the fall.

The November 2025 record handle of $1.15 billion coincided with Ohio State’s late-season push toward the College Football Playoff. While the exact percentage of handle attributable to Buckeye games is not publicly disclosed, industry analysts estimate that Ohio State football accounts for 8-12% of total November handle in the state — a figure that is disproportionately large for a single team in a market with access to every professional and college sport. The rivalry game against Michigan, played in late November, has consistently been one of the highest-handle college football events nationally.

The Cincinnati Bengals provide a secondary football-driven demand spike, particularly among bettors in the southern half of the state. The Browns contribute as well, though Cleveland’s betting market skews slightly more toward the Cavaliers (NBA) given the Browns’ inconsistent competitive fortunes. The Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL) and Columbus Crew (MLS) add year-round betting demand in central Ohio, while Ohio’s proximity to both Pittsburgh and Indianapolis creates cross-market interest in the Steelers and Colts.

College Sports Betting Rules in Ohio

Ohio permits wagering on college sports, including games involving in-state teams like the Ohio State Buckeyes, Cincinnati Bearcats, Ohio Bobcats, and other programs. Bettors can place moneyline, spread, totals, and team-level proposition wagers on all college sporting events at any licensed sportsbook.

However, Ohio has been increasingly proactive about restricting certain forms of college betting to protect athlete welfare. The state prohibits individual player prop bets on college athletes, preventing sportsbooks from offering markets on specific statistical performances by amateur players. Governor DeWine has publicly advocated for additional restrictions on college prop bets, citing concerns about athlete harassment and integrity risks. In late 2025, the OCCC issued guidance to operators reinforcing the existing restrictions and signaling that enforcement would be a priority going forward.

The distinction between team props and player props is important for Ohio bettors to understand. You can bet on whether Ohio State will score over or under 35.5 points in a game (a team prop). You cannot bet on whether the Ohio State quarterback will throw for over or under 275.5 passing yards (an individual player prop). This restriction applies to all college sports, not just football, and is consistent with the approach taken by most states that have legalized college sports wagering.

Banking and Payment Methods

Ohio sportsbooks offer a comprehensive range of deposit and withdrawal options that reflect the competitive pressures of a market with more than a dozen online operators. The available methods are broadly consistent across all Type A licensees, though specific limits, processing times, and fee structures may vary by operator.

Deposit Methods:

• ACH / e-Check: Direct bank transfers accepted at all licensed operators, typically processed within 1-3 business days
• Debit Cards: Visa and Mastercard debit cards accepted universally
• Credit Cards: Available at most operators, though some financial institutions may decline gambling-related transactions
• PayPal: Accepted at FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, and other major operators
• Venmo: Available at FanDuel, DraftKings, and an expanding list of platforms
• Play+ Prepaid Card: Instant deposits available at most operators
• PayNearMe: Cash deposits at participating 7-Eleven, CVS, and Walgreens locations
• Apple Pay / Google Pay: Mobile payment options at select operators
• Cage Deposit: Cash deposits at retail sportsbook locations at casinos and racinos

Withdrawal Methods:

• ACH / e-Check: Standard method, typically 2-5 business days processing
• PayPal: Fastest digital option, usually within 24 hours
• Play+ Card: Near-instant withdrawals to your prepaid balance
• Venmo: Processing within 24-48 hours at supported operators
• Cage Withdrawal: Same-day cash payouts at retail casino locations
• Check by Mail: Physical checks, typically 7-14 business days

A practical tip for Ohio bettors: if you maintain accounts with multiple sportsbooks (which we strongly recommend for line shopping purposes), consider using PayPal as your primary funding method. PayPal allows you to manage deposits and withdrawals across multiple sportsbook accounts from a single platform, providing a convenient central hub for your bankroll management. For detailed comparisons of banking options, see our payment methods guide.

Ohio’s Sports Betting Market: What Makes It Different

Several structural features distinguish Ohio’s sports betting market from its competitors and have implications for how bettors should approach the state’s offerings.

The Professional Sports Team Partnership Model. Ohio is the only state where professional sports teams can serve as primary licensees for online sportsbook operations. The Cleveland Browns’ partnership with Bally Bet, the Columbus Blue Jackets’ affiliation with Fanatics, the Cincinnati Reds’ deal with Underdog, and FC Cincinnati’s arrangement with SuperBook represent a genuinely novel approach to market structure. While these team-affiliated operators have not yet captured significant market share, the model creates potential for deeper integration between sports content and betting — imagine receiving a Fanatics push notification about a Blue Jackets game with an embedded betting option powered by the team’s own sportsbook partnership.

The Kiosk Network. Ohio’s Type C kiosk system has created the most distributed sports betting access of any state outside Nevada. The ability to place a wager at a kiosk in your neighborhood bar — even if the betting menu and limits are more restricted than what is available through mobile apps — has normalized sports betting in ways that a purely mobile or casino-based market cannot. It has also created a gateway for bettors who might be reluctant to create an online account but are comfortable placing a bet in person in a familiar social setting.

The Non-Deductible Promotional Credits. Ohio’s refusal to allow operators to deduct promotional credits from taxable revenue has created a distinctive promotional environment. Operators in Ohio are more selective about their promotional spending because every bonus dollar carries a 20% tax cost on top of the promotion’s face value. The practical effect for bettors is somewhat paradoxical: while individual promotions may be slightly less generous than in states where promotional credits are tax-deductible, the promotions that are offered tend to be more carefully targeted and potentially more valuable because operators cannot afford to spray and pray with promotional dollars.

Responsible Gambling Resources in Ohio

Ohio’s responsible gambling infrastructure was built into HB 29 from the beginning, with dedicated funding streams from sports betting tax revenue supporting prevention, education, and treatment programs statewide.

• Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-589-9966 — Available 24/7 for confidential counseling, referrals, and crisis support. Also accessible through the national hotline at 1-800-GAMBLER
• Ohio for Responsible Gambling: The state’s primary responsible gambling awareness program, funded by sports betting tax revenue, providing educational resources, screening tools, and treatment referrals at responsiblegambling.ohio.gov
• OCCC Voluntary Exclusion Program: Ohio’s self-exclusion program allows individuals to voluntarily ban themselves from all licensed gaming facilities and online platforms for periods of one year, five years, or lifetime
• National Council on Problem Gambling: Additional resources available at ncpgambling.org, including chat and text-based support
• Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services: Provides referrals to certified gambling treatment providers throughout the state

All licensed Ohio sportsbooks — Type A, Type B, and Type C — are required to display responsible gambling messaging and provide access to self-exclusion enrollment tools. Online operators must offer deposit limits, loss limits, session time limits, and cooling-off periods within their platforms. The OCCC has been particularly aggressive about enforcement in this area, conducting regular compliance reviews and publicly reporting any violations. If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties with gambling, these resources are free, confidential, and available at any time.

Frequently Asked Questions