How Ohio online sports betting could work
The current bill making the rounds in Ohio does include online sports betting, which is a good thing. Mobile wagering is simple and works the same in every state it’s legal in.
Customers complete the following steps on their phone, tablet or desktop computer from anywhere in the state. The process is short and simple.
- Sign up for an account
- Deposit money
- Choose a bet
- Place a bet
- Collect winnings
We will cover the steps briefly below.
How to sign up for an Ohio sportsbook account
By now, most people know how to download apps on their smartphones. You use the same process for online sportsbooks in Ohio. Depending on if Ohio permits remote registration, customers will be able to sign up from anywhere in the state. However, there is a chance this might not be the case. If that happens, customers will have to physically go to the nearest casino (that has sports betting) and sign up in person.
Once you’ve downloaded the app, you will need to create an account. Each sportsbook will ask for various pieces of personal information. This is to ensure that you are who you say you are.
Information you may have to provide includes:
- Name
- Email address
- Date of birth
- Cell phone number
- Address
- Social Security number (or last four digits)
Next, designate a username and password. The site may ask you to provide answers to selected challenge questions in order to construct an extra layer of security, which is standard procedure.
Finally, there may be an optional box for a bonus code somewhere in the registration area. If our link indicates that there is a code, make sure to enter it here.
How to deposit and cash out at Ohio sportsbooks
Since this is online sports betting, you will need to transfer funds into and out of your account. These funds are what you will use to place bets.
Typical options that you might find for making a deposit into a sportsbook account include:
- Credit or debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, etc.)
- Online bank transfers (similar to online bill pay)
- Wire transfers
- Electronic checks (ACH or VIP Preferred)
- Prepaid cards (Play+)
- Electronic wallets (PayPal, Skrill, etc.)
- PayNearMe (via 7-Eleven)
- Cash at the land-based casino cage
- Checks or money orders
Cashing out at OH sportsbooks
Should you win a bet, you will be able to withdraw funds from your sports betting account. Online sportsbooks have to offer several methods for withdrawal, too. However, there are fewer methods for withdrawal than there are for deposits. The simple truth is that not all deposit methods can flow both directions.
You should know, however, that some withdrawal methods are only available if you used that method to deposit in the first place. PayPal and Skrill often fall under this restriction, so make sure to investigate withdrawal methods before you deposit.
Possible withdrawal methods on online sportsbooks in Ohio include:
- Online bank transfers (similar to online bill pay)
- Wire transfers
- Electronic checks (ACH or VIP Preferred)
- Prepaid cards (Play+)
- Electronic wallets (PayPal, Skrill, etc.)
- Cash at the land-based casino cage
- Checks
Current sports betting options in OH
As of now, there are zero sports betting options in Ohio. Why? Because sports betting is not yet legal. However, by looking at other nearby states, we can piece together a good list of operators, bet types and locations that might be available in the state.
NFL betting in Ohio
There are two NFL teams in Ohio, and you can be 100% sure you will be able to place bets on both teams.
- Cleveland Browns: FirstEnergy Stadium
- Cincinnati Bengals: Paul Brown Stadium
Betting on NFL games is pretty straightforward. Thus, bets that involve game outcomes are easy to host and handicap.
NBA betting in Ohio
Ohio is also home to a single NBA franchise, the Cleveland Cavaliers.
- Cleveland Cavaliers: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
In terms of betting on the NBA, games are similar to NFL games. The scoring yields opportunities for almost any kind of sports bet that you’d want to place.
MLB betting in Ohio
Much like the with the NFL, Ohio is home to a pair of MLB franchises, the Cleveland Indians and the Cincinnati Reds.
- Cleveland Indians: Progressive Field
- Cincinnati Reds: Great American Ball Park
Betting on baseball games is a bit different from wagering on football or basketball. Baseball games tend to be lower-scoring affairs, so they use a “run line” in place of the typical point spread. The run line always designates the favorite and underdog as 1.5 points apart, and the book adjusts the odds through manipulation of the payout ratio. In many ways, the run line is quite similar to the moneyline bet.
NHL betting in Ohio
Finally, Ohio sports fans have a single NHL franchise, the Columbus Blue Jackets, making Ohio one of the very few states with all four major sports leagues.
- Columbus Blue Jackets: Nationwide Arena
Betting on NHL games is quite similar to betting on MLB games. Much like baseball, hockey tends to be a low-scoring affair. Because of this, sportsbooks have a 1.5-point puck line, similar to baseball’s run line. Both types of lines function in the same manner as the other, and vary the payout ratios rather than the amount of the spreads themselves.
Betting on horse races in OH
The Ohio State Racing Commission was created in 1933 following the approval of pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing.
Thoroughbred racetracks can be found in Cleveland, Cincinnati and Youngstown. Additionally, quarter horse races and harness racing also take place in Ohio. Seven of the 11 casinos in the state are racinos, meaning live racing is available on site.
Online horse betting is permitted in Ohio through sites like TVG, TwinSpires and BetAmerica.
Sportsbook locations in Ohio
Since there are 11 land-based casinos in Ohio, that means there could potentially be 11 retail sportsbooks. Online sportsbooks will vary depending on how many “skins” or line-websites/apps will be permitted.
In September 2020, it was announced that Unibet (owned by Kindred) partnered with Penn National Gaming to secure US market access in both Ohio and Illinois. Pending regulatory approval, it allows operator Unibet to pursue licensing after betting is legalized in Ohio.
Potential retail sportsbooks could be located at these casinos:
- Belterra Park Gaming and Entertainment Center — Cincinnati
- Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park — Northfield
- Hollywood Casino Columbus — Columbus
- Hollywood Casino Toledo — Toledo
- Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway — Dayton
- Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course — Youngstown
- Jack Cincinnati Casino — Cincinnati
- Jack Cleveland Casino — Cleveland
- Miami Valley Gaming — Lebanon
- Scioto Downs Racing — Columbus
- Jack Thistledown Racino — North Randall
Given the convenience of online sports betting, there might be more online sportsbook apps than physical casinos.
Possible operators include:
- BetMGM
- Barstool Sportsbook
- BetRivers
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- Fox Bet
- William Hill Sportsbook
- Unibet
Ohio sports betting laws
Since sports betting is not legal in the state, there are no official betting laws available. Once a bill is passed and a regulatory body is chosen, check back for a list of official sports betting laws and regulations.
How big will the sports betting market be in Ohio?
It’s hard to estimate just how big a sports betting market can be, given that sports betting has only been legal for two years outside Nevada. But factoring in a few variables such as population size, number of casinos and major sports teams available, it’s safe to assume Ohio will have a relatively large betting market.
