Sports betting is live in Ohio; what do you need to know?

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Some Ohioans will be ringing in the new year by checking out sports betting, as it officially becomes legal Jan. 1, 2023. What should you know?

When is virtual sports betting legal in Ohio?

After the bill passed in December of last year, Gov. Mike Dewine signed House Bill 29 into law shortly after on December 22, 2021.

According to Fox Rothschild, HB29 was created to “legalize and regulate sports betting” and make changes to what is known as the Gambling Law in Ohio. 

Even though it passed and became legal in Ohio in 2021, sports betting online and in person starts just as the calendar flips to 2023.

On Sunday, January 1, sports betting will be legal online, on your phones, in esports competitions, and in all physical facilities like restaurants, bars, and businesses throughout the state.

You just have to be 21 and physically in Ohio to participate.

What do virtual customers need to prepare?

If you’re looking to try it out, sports betting apps like DraftKings, Caesars, BetMGM, and PointsBet Ohio are getting ready by offering special deals. You’ll be able to pre-register for the sites starting now.

According to Russ Joy from Cleveland.com, FanDuel Ohio was the first online platform to announce a special pre-launch offer. All new FanDuel customers in Ohio who sign up early get $100 in free bets.

Caesars, Barstool, and Bet365 are both offering $100 each in early sign-up bonuses for Ohio customers before launching on Sunday.

Bettors will be able to wager on games in leagues like the NFL, NBA, NHL, and college basketball and football leagues.

When registering, you’ll need to include your full name, email address,

What types of bets are available?

Joy continues by outlining all the different types of bets users can place online once the apps launch.

Betters can place their money on which team/player  they think will win the game (which is called moneyline) and total points acquired at the end of the game for both teams.

There are many other types of bets, like teasers, parlays, and in-game bets.

What are the regulations?

According to Fox Rothschild, the Ohio Casino Control Commission has the authority for licensing. They are categorizing licenses for sports betting into three categories, Types A, B, and C.

The first type of license is for the virtual betting organizations, like the sports betting websites. The other two are meant for facilities that are “brick-and-mortar operators.”

Type B is for facilities designated just for sports betting in person, and type C is licensing gambling booths inside bars and restaurants that serve alcohol.

Originally, once a business acquired their license, the bill said the license was valid for three years, but now it’s been extended to five years.

Businesses can apply for these provisional gaming licenses until the end of June. 

Where can customers bet on sports in person?

There are a few retail stores in Ohio that are expected to jump on the legalization of sports betting and apply for licenses to offer sports betting in their facilities, according to Cleveland.com.

If they are approved for the licenses, customers could be able to bet on live sports games at casinos like Hollywood, Hard Rock, Jack, Eldorado and more.