The Ohio Casino Control Commission had a busy meeting today, as it gave conditional approval for Ohio sports betting to several professional sports franchises in the state.

Members of the commission granted conditional approval of Type A (online sports betting) and Type B (retail sports betting) licenses to FC Cincinnati, the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Cleveland Guardians this morning.

Bengals, Cavs, Guardians all receive licenses

The commission also granted conditional approval of a Type A license to the Cincinnati Bengals, which is partnered with BetFred to operate its online sports betting program.

The Bengals, according to the commission, will no longer pursue a Type B license, as NFL rules prohibit in-game sportsbooks from taking bets on gamedays.

Sportsbooks located directly outside of NFL stadiums can operate during gamedays. The Arizona Cardinals recently opened a new BetMGM sportsbook located on the State Farm Stadium “campus,” which is on the north side of the stadium’s Great Lawn.

FC Cincinnati, the Blue Jackets, Cavaliers, and Guardians joined the Browns, Crew, and Reds as Ohio professional sports franchises approved to operate some form of betting in the state.

Here are the updated partnerships between licensed franchises:

  • Cincinnati Bengals: Betfred Sports (Type A)
  • Cleveland Browns: Bally’s (Type A and B)
  • Columbus Blue Jackets: Fanatics (Type A and B)
  • Cincinnati Reds: Underdog Sports (Type A) and BetMGM (Type B)
  • Crew SC: Tipico (Type A and B)
  • Cleveland Cavaliers: Fubo Gaming (Type A) and Caesars (Type B)
  • Cleveland Guardians: bet365 (Type A) and Fanatics (Type B)
  • FC Cincinnati: SuperBook (Type A and B)

By receiving conditional approval from the commission, these sportsbooks will be eligible to launch on the Jan. 1, 2023 universal start date.

Ohio casinos also receive license approvals

Not to be left out, the commission approved Scioto Downs, Dayton Real Estate Ventures (Hollywood Gaming Dayton Raceway), Northfield Park Associates (MGM Northfield Park), Central Ohio Gaming Ventures (Hollywood Casino Columbus), and PNK Ohio (Belterra Park) for Type A and Type B licenses as well.

These casinos will be able to launch on Jan. 1, 2023.

Here are the casino and operator partnerships that will go into effect:

  • Northfield Park Associates: BetMGM (Type A and B)
  • Scioto Downs: Caesars Sportsbook (Type A and B)
  • Central Ohio Gaming Ventures: Barstool Sportsbook (Type A and B)
  • Dayton Real Estate Ventures: BetRivers (Type A) and Barstool Sportsbook (Type B)
  • PNK Ohio: FanDuel (Type A and B)

Additionally, the commission approved another batch of Type C (sports betting kiosk) license hosts, bringing the total up to 811 entities in the state.