The first five sports betting companies have been approved to provide Ohio online sports betting services in the Buckeye State.

The Ohio Casino Control Commission unanimously approved PointsBet, Caesars Sportsbook, Betfred, bet365, and SuperBook as “mobile management service providers.” This designation will allow the companies to provide online sports betting services for each of their already approved partnerships.

Online providers set to launch Jan. 1

Each of the online sports betting service providers will be able to launch on Jan. 1, 2023, the universal start date for Ohio sports betting.

“We appreciate your time, appreciate you following the rules, and working with our staff,” Ohio Casino Control Commission Chair June E. Taylor told the approved sportsbook representatives who were present at the meeting.

Here are the following online sports betting company approvals from this morning and their partnerships:

  • Caesars Sportsbook (Scioto Downs)
  • PointsBet (Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley)
  • Betfred (Cincinnati Bengals)
  • bet365 (Cleveland Guardians)
  • SuperBook Sports (FC Cincinnati)

At its last meeting, the commission approved Type A (online sports betting) licenses for the Cincinnati Bengals, FC Cincinnati, Cleveland Guardians, and Scioto Downs.

Retail sports betting providers approved

Caesars Sportsbook and SuperBook Sports also received approval from the commission to provide retail sports betting services for their partners.

Caesars Sportsbook will run the sportsbook at Scioto Downs and SuperBook Sports will run the sportsbook for FC Cincinnati.

Additionally, the commission also approved 37 additional Type C (sports betting kiosk) hosts in the state, bringing the total approved hosts to well over 800.

Executive Director Annoyed By Badgering Calls

Ohio Casino Control Commission Executive Director Matt Schuler opened the meeting with an update on the licensing process and expressed his displeasure with applicants bombarding his staff with questions about when they would appear on the licensing agenda.

Schuler said his staff receives countless calls day in and day out from applicants who want to know when they’ll be on the regulator’s agenda to potentially be approved for Ohio sports betting. It’s a waste of time for Ohio Casino Control Commission employees who have to deal with the requests every day, he said.

“My advice to the licensing division is that every time an applicant calls, they should be moved to the bottom of the pile,” he said.