Is sports betting legal in ohio?
Yes, sports betting is finally legal in Ohio thanks to Governor Mike DeWine signing House Bill 29 into law in December of 2021. The Buckeye State took its sweet time getting sports betting up and running and launched 16 different sports betting apps on New Year’s Day in 2023. Thus far, 22 different locations throughout the state have been approved for in-person betting including FirstEnergy Stadium, home of the Cleveland Browns.
Ohio Quick Facts
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Launch Date: January 2023 -
ImageLegal Betting Age: 21 years old
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ImageOnline Sports Betting: Yes
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ImageOnline Casino Sites: No
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ImageOnline Poker Sites: No
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ImageBest Available Sportsbook: FanDuel
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ImageRegulatory Body: Ohio Casino Control Commission
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ImageLegal online sportsbooks: 19
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ImageCollege Sports Betting: Yes, but not college player prop betting is prohibited
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ImagePolitical or entertainment betting: No
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ImageHigh School sports Betting: No
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ImageEsports betting: Yes
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ImageNFL Draft: Yes
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ImageRemote registration: Yes
Timeline of betting legislation & Latest News
Ohio did legalize sports betting eventually, but it was a bit late to the party as other neighboring states beat them to the punch. After HB 29 passed in both the house and senate in 2021, Governor Mike DeWine signed the bill into law two weeks later. It took another full year for sports betting to go live on January 1, 2023, but when it did, it brought a tidal wave of 16 different sports betting apps to the party.
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Feb. 3, 2021
HB 29, a bill to legalize sports betting in Ohio by the end of 2022, was introduced by lawmakers Scott Wiggam and Adam C. Miller
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dec. 8, 2021
HB 29, passed in the house and senate
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dec. 22, 2021
Governor Mike DeWine signs HB 29 into law, officially allowing online and retail betting in Ohio
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jan. 1, 2023
16 online sportsbooks launch on New Year’s Day
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jan. 31, 2024
NCAA sends letter to Ohio Casino Control Commission requesting they prohibit player-specific prop bets on intercollegiate athletics competitions, citing match fixing and the possibility of insider information being utilized for betting purpose
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feb. 23, 2024
Gov. DeWine approves NCAAs request to ban college player props, citing the importance of protecting the integrity of gaming
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july 4, 2024
The Ohio Casino Control Commission discusses how to implement new advertising rules pertaining to sports betting
How to start betting in the state
Getting started betting in Ohio is easy since the state allows for remote registration, meaning you can register for a sportsbook and deposit money into an account from the comfort of your own home. If you’re over 21-years-old and in Ohio, you can download your favorite sports betting app on a smartphone, deposit money, verify your identity, and start betting now.
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Select a sportsbook
First, decide which sportsbook you want to use and download that sports betting app on your phone. Some sportsbooks will allow you to get started from their website on a computer as well. With the help of this article, make sure the app you’ve chosen is regulated in your state.
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create account
Click the button on your sportsbooks’s app that says “signup” or “get started,” while you’re inside state lines, to begin creating an account. You’ll be required to fill in some personal information and verify your identity.
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deposit
To fund the account, select the payment option you prefer. Each sportsbook has different options for deposits, but common options include: Credit/debit card, bank transfers, PayPal, etc. Remember to keep an eye out for any fees that might be associated with the deposit.
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choose your bet and bet size
There are a variety of wagering options within each sportsbook. If you’re just getting started, moneylines are the most straight-forward bet and allow bettors to wager on who will win an event. Point spreads, over/unders, parlays, player props and futures bets are also popular choices.
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place a wager
Every sportsbook runs independently from each other so they each may offer different point spreads or odds on the same wager. Before placing your wager, try shopping around at other betting apps to get the best price. Once you’ve found odds you like, type in your wager amount and submit your wager. If your wager wins, your winnings and your original bet will be deposited back into your account shortly after the event you bet on finishes.
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withdraw funds
Each online sportsbook has different methods and processes for cashing out money if you’re successful betting. It’s normal for withdrawals to take longer than deposits, but the money is typically received within a couple days.
Home Field Advantage
Ohio is home to six different professional sports teams across the NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL. While these six pro teams have combined to win only one championship since 1990, they still receive plenty of support from loyal fans state-wide.
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ImageNFL – Cleveland Browns: The Browns won multiple NFL championships back in the pre-Super Bowl era, but recent history has been far less kind as the team has only one playoff win since 1999. To their credit the Browns did make it to the postseason in 2023 behind a dominant defense. Last year, Cleveland’s stellar defense and shaky QB play made it a popular “under” team.
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ImageNFL – Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow led the Bengals to the Super Bowl in the 2021 season, but fell short of the ultimate prize in a 23-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The Bengals have never won a Super Bowl, but with Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase under contract, Cincinnati is a dangerous team capable of beating any AFC opponent in the playoffs.
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ImageMLB – Cleveland Guardians: The Guardians have had some strong seasons in recent years with four AL Central Division titles and one trip to the World Series since 2016, but the club’s last championship came back in 1948. The powerful bat of Jose Ramirez has helped revive the Guardians offense recently as the team has been very competitive in the AL Central.
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ImageMLB – Cincinnati Reds: The Reds have a rich history with five all-time World Series titles, but since their last championship back in 1990, they’ve only made the playoffs five times and won a single series. Since 2014, the Reds best season win percentage is .517. These days, Elly De La Cruz is always a fun player prop bet whether it’s with his bat or on the basepaths.
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ImageNBA – Cleveland Cavaliers: LeBron James spent 11 of the first 15 seasons of his historic NBA career with the Cavaliers, leading the team to its first NBA championship in 2016. The Cavaliers broke a four-year playoff drought last season and are in good position to make the postseason again next season with a talented young core led by shooting guard Donovan Mitchell.
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ImageNHL – Columbus Blue Jackets: The Blue Jackets joined the NHL as an expansion team in 2000 and haven’t accomplished much since then. Columbus has won only two playoff series in its existence and missed the playoffs for the fourth-straight season in 2024.
USA Betting News
Ohio for Responsible Gaming (ORG) prides itself on promoting responsible gambling for those in Ohio. The organization’s website features literature and initiatives to proactively prevent bad gambling habits from forming as well as resources for those who are already aware of problematic behavior. The website also houses a link to Ohio’s voluntary exclusion program which is a useful tool for those who need assistance setting boundaries with gambling behavior.