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Ohio sports betting to launch on January 1, 2023
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Ohio sports betting officially has a launch date.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission announced this morning that Ohio sports betting will launch on Jan. 1, 2023. It’s the latest date by law the state can launch its sports betting program.
Ohio Casino Control Commission Executive Director Matt Schuler made the announcement Wednesday morning. The date was chosen to give all operators the necessary lead-in time to launch sports betting on the same day.
“Jan. 1, 2023, will be the largest ever simultaneous launch of sports betting in the United States,” Schuler said.
The Jan. 1, 2023, launch date means Ohio will miss the majority of the NFL season and the entirety of the college football regular season. It will be in time for bettors to place wagers on the Rose Bowl on Jan. 2 and the College Football National Championship on Jan. 9.
All sports betting systems go in 2023
On Jan. 1, 2023, Ohio will launch a massive retail and online sports betting program. Ohio’s approved sports betting bill legalized retail and online sports betting for casinos, racinos and professional sports franchises. It also will allow sports betting kiosks to be installed in retail establishments with D-class liquor licenses.
The bill calls for a maximum of 25 type A licenses, which will allow license holders to operate online sports betting. There are currently 21 potential Type A license holders, each which will be able to partner with up to two sportsbook operators. The remaining four Type A licenses (to reach the cap of 25) are only permitted to contract with one online sportsbook operator each. This would allow for a maximum of 46 online operators in the state.
Each Ohio casino, racino, and professional sports franchise will be able to apply for a Type A license and may partner with a sportsbook operator if they choose. These entities can apply for and potentially receive a second Type A license if they meet certain requirements. In addition to the 10 professional Ohio sports teams, NASCAR could operate a sportsbook at the Mid-Ohio Speedway and the PGA can operate a sportsbook at an Ohio course as well.
Type C licenses will be for operators seeking sports betting kiosks.
Announced Ohio sports betting partnerships
Several sports betting partnership have already been announced in the Buckeye State.
Caesars Sportsbook and Fubo Gaming announced multi-year sports betting partnerships with the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier in the year. Caesars Sportsbook is an “official sports betting partner” with the Cavaliers and includes plans to open a best-in-class retail sportsbook on the street level inside the northwest atrium area of the team’s home venue, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Fubo Gaming will be an “official mobile sports betting partner” with the Cavs and will feature the opening of a 3,000 square foot sports lounge inside Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
Bally’s Interactive also announced a partnership with the Cleveland Browns in April. The partnership includes a branded lounge at FirstEnergy Stadium, the launch of the mobile Bally Bet Sportsbook app and free-to-play gaming opportunities for fans in the state.
Tipico and the Columbus Crew announced a long-term partnership agreement in January 2022. The partnership allows Tipico to launch its mobile sports betting app in the state, receive entitle rights to marquee Crew assets, including a beer garden and club, and brand integration throughout Lower.com Field.
The PGA Tour and betPARX also announced a partnership in March, allowing betPARX to become the exclusive sports betting sponsor of the Memorial Tournament, held annually in the spring at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. The tournament and betPARX will apply for a Type A license to offer online sports betting.
All of these partnerships and plans are dependent on licensing and regulatory approvals.
Updated Ohio sports betting license timeline
The commission also unveiled a new updated timeline for operators. First designated Type A, B, and C license proprietors and online sports betting operators have an initial application window of June 15 to July 15 for licenses. Beginning July 15, Type C sports gaming hosts and second designated online operators may begin to submit licenses applications to the commission. This application deadline has been set for Aug. 15.
On Dec. 2, all sports betting equipment for license holders must be ready for Ohio Casino Control Commission verification.
Regulatory Writer and Editor for XLMedia. Sports. Gambling. Not necessarily in that order. Follow him on Twitter @rlinnehanxl