When Ohio launches sports betting on Jan. 1, 2023, four of the state’s most popular gaming establishments are likely to utilize one of the industry’s fastest-growing brands: Barstool Sportsbook.
Hollywood Casino Toledo confirmed to PlayOhio that the brick-and-mortar sportsbook opening once sports betting in Ohio is live will be a Barstool-branded establishment. The other three Penn National Gaming facilities in the state are likely to follow.
“Barstool Sports is one of the strongest sports media companies out there,” said Alex Rangel, Hollywood Toledo’s vice president of marketing.
“Their loyal followers are the perfect target audience for a new sportsbook. But you don’t have to be a ‘Stoolie’ to enjoy the space — it will be inviting to sport fans of all types.”
Penn National also owns the following Ohio casinos:
Based on Penn National’s moves in other markets, Ohioans will soon have access to Barstool Sportsbooks in almost every corner of the state.
The company entered an arrangement with Barstool Sports in 2020. Less than three years later, the lifestyle brand will be one of the major players for Ohio sports betting.
Here’s what Ohio sports betting customers can expect as Barstool Sportsbooks open at Penn National’s Ohio locations.
How did Penn National’s relationship with Barstool come to be?
Penn purchased a 36% stake in Barstool in 2020 and has since opened Barstool Sportsbooks at several of its casinos, along with launching the Barstool Sportsbook app in 12 states. All four of Ohio’s neighboring states with legal sports betting — Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia — have access to Barstool Sportsbook apps.
“When we announced Barstool in Jan. 2020 as a key partner, it gave us the opportunity to think about how we would design a sportsbook now that we have one of the preeminent sports brands,” Erin Chamberlin, senior vice president of regional operations at Penn National Gaming, told PlayPennsylvania last year.
Penn National likely to open four Barstool Sportsbooks in Ohio
PlayOhio reached out to each Penn National gaming facility in Ohio to ask for details about their brick-and-mortar sportsbook plans. Besides Hollywood Toledo, only Hollywood Mahoning responded, and Director of Marketing Kevin Brogan did not confirm or deny that a Barstool Sportsbook is on the way.
“We are looking forward to the launch of sports betting in January 2023 and in the coming months will be sharing what this looks like at each of our properties.”
Based on Penn National’s history in nearby states, Ohioans can expect a heavy dose of Barstool coming to the state between Hollywood Toledo, the three other Penn National brick-and-mortar properties and the Barstool Sportsbook app.
In fact, many Ohioans have already checked out a Barstool Sportsbook because Penn has launched several within miles of the Ohio border. Three Penn National casinos are less than an hour’s drive from Ohio have recently created Barstool-branded sports betting areas in their spaces.
Here’s what those plans have looked like, along with additional Barstool spaces in neighboring states.
Indiana: Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg already expanding its sportsbook
Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg, about 30 miles from downtown Cincinnati, opened its Barstool Sportsbook in December of 2020. The company spent over $2 million expanding the space this year.
Hollywood Lawrenceburg’s Barstool Sportsbook features 25 betting kiosks, a large horseshoe-shaped bar and more than 20 TVs, along with food and drink specials. There is plenty of seating surrounding the bar area, including tables and booths, along with a wall of self-serve betting kiosks.
Michigan: Hollywood Casino at Greektown added Barstool during expansion
Detroit’s Hollywood Casino at Greektown has been busy in 2022. The casino, which is about 60 miles from Toledo, changed its name from Greektown Casino-Hotel to Penn’s Hollywood brand on May 1 amid a $30 million renovation of the hotel and casino.
It also opened a Barstool Sportsbook this year, which is open daily and serves brunch on the weekends. The space features 40 betting kiosks, 25 HDTVs and a 30-foot video wall.
Pennsylvania: Keystone State is flush with Barstool Sportsbooks
Last month, Hollywood Casino at The Meadows, located just outside Pittsburgh, opened the fourth Barstool Sportsbook in Pennsylvania since August of 2021.
The company spent $7 million on the retail space, which is located on the casino floor overlooking the harness-racing track. The space features:
- A restaurant and multiple bars
- Slot machines and a low-limit table games pit
- 45 large televisions
- A 48-foot wide video wall
The three other Penn National properties with Barstool Sportsbooks in Pennsylvania are Hollywood Casino York, Hollywood Morgantown and Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course.
Ohio racinos could be in for a boost from Barstool
Penn National’s $7 million investment at its only Pennsylvania racino wasn’t entirely fueled by Barstool, but there is clearly an appetite for investing in such properties with sports betting on the way in Ohio.
Adding Barstool Sportsbooks would be a welcome addition to Penn National’s two Ohio racinos:
The Dayton property offers harness racing and 130,000 square feet of gambling space. Mahoning Valley, near Youngstown, offers thoroughbred racing and a similar array of slot machines, video lottery and Keno.
According to Rangel, the Hollywood Toledo VP of marketing, adding a Barstool Sportsbook is going to elevate the Ohio’s Penn National properties by offering a great place for sports fans to grab a bite and watch a game whether they plan to bet or not.
“Barstool will be more than a place just to bet games,” Rangel said.
The Barstool Sportsbook in Toledo will comprise 9,600 square feet of space with a bar and restaurant and over 40 TVs, including two 210-square-foot screens.
What’s next for Barstool and Ohio sports betting?
Penn National clearly has a plan for rolling out the Barstool brand after paying top dollar for it two years ago. It will be interesting to see the other spaces unveiled as we move closer to the Ohio launch of sports betting on Jan. 1, 2023.
We are beginning to learn which other operators will be coming to Ohio.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission is currently accepting applications for operator licenses for all Ohio online sportsbooks, retail sportsbooks and operators of betting terminals. In order to launch on Jan. 1, all online sportsbooks, retail sportsbooks and operators of betting terminals must submit applications between June 15 and July 15.
The following operators have applied for sports gaming licenses in Ohio:
One of the biggest names in sports betting these days, Caesars Sportsbook, has yet to apply. With just a few days left before the first window close, you can expect to see its application in the next wave.
A second application window will run from July 15-Aug. 15. Bars, restaurants and grocery stores that operate Ohio Lottery terminals and are looking to host a betting kiosk operator may apply during this window.
Follow PlayOhio for the latest launch and news information, including the most recent operator applications.
