bet365 has been one of the most consistent operators in the Ohio Sports Betting market. The UK-based company thrived in The Buckeye State in 2023. They hope to continue that trend as the NFL season gets underway tonight.
However, the operator is also turning its attention towards other markets. Thanks to a partnership with the Ak-Chin Indian Community, bet365 launched retail and online sportsbooks in Arizona. Additionally, they will be a prominent fixture in Kenutcy, where retail sports betting kicked off this morning, in time for the start of the 2023 NFL season.
With eyes on other markets, is there a potential for bet365 to lose some footing in Ohio? The start of football season is a prime time for sports betting operators to reel in new customers, and the competition will be ready to pounce if there is an opportunity.
bet365 holds Top 5 spot in Ohio Sports Betting market
bet365 is a British online gambling platform based out of the United Kingdom that is expanding its US footprint. Previously, it was one of the lesser-known online sportsbooks in the U.S. But after the Ohio sports betting launch in January, bet365 Ohio quickly made a name for itself.
First, they secured a partnership with the MLB’s Cleveland Guardians. Then, bet365 began gaining market share, eventually ranking in the top five for Ohio sportsbooks in both market share and revenue. Since January, the sportsbook handled over $243 million in wagers and paid $3.7 million in state taxes, according to recent revenue reports.
We’ve discussed how bet365’s aggressive and persistent strategy has paid off in Ohio. The company ranked in the top five in terms of promotional spending during the first four months of legal sports wagering in Ohio. Things like sign-up deals with generous “bonus bet” giveaways have been critical to the sportsbook’s good showing in the state so far.
However, the operator expects to try similar strategies in new markets like Arizona and Kentucky. Could that take away from their efforts in Ohio?
Caesars, BetMGM nipping at bet365’s heels, with ESPN Bet on the horizon
Currently, bet365 ranks third in Ohio in terms of handle and revenue. They are followed closely by BetMGM Ohio, Caesars and Barstool. Caesars Sportsbook is more well-known nationwide but has not been able to capture the same success bet365 has in Ohio. If Caesars pays more attention to the Ohio market, particularly as the new NFL season kicks off, the operator could move up into the top 4.
Barstool is a major wildcard in this area. The expectation is that Barstool Sportsbook will become ESPN Bet Sportsbook later this fall, thanks to the deal with PENN Entertainment last month. With a sports betting operation under the ESPN banner, just on brand alone, there may be more universal appeal to the young male target demographic.
What is bet365 like in Arizona?
The bet365 app allows users access to an extensive array of betting options. You can bet on pretty much anything you want. Options range from major sports like football and basketball to the niche sports like volleyball and handball. These options are likely similar to the company’s platform.
Within each individual game or match, there are several different wagers to choose from. We’re talking about betting on the spread, over/under, and prop bets. Bet365 also does an excellent job of keeping odds competitive compared to other sports betting sites.
The app is practically identical in appearance to the website. The well-organized layout makes movement around the app and accessing its features pretty straightforward. There are quick-access buttons for major sports across the top, and the main features are laid out in handy sections in the main body of the screen.
bet365 Arizona options
While scrolling through the bet365 mobile app I found several features that bettors can enjoy. The current welcome bonus is ‘bet $1, get $200 in bonus bets,’ which is quite generous and hard to beat.
NFL fans will also enjoy the ‘NFL Early Payout’ option. It is available for both straight bets and parlays. If the team you bet on goes up by 17 points at any time during the game, your wager will hit regardless of what happens the rest of the game. For parlays, the rest of your legs still have to hit for a successful wager, but if you have a moneyline bet in there, that leg will be marked as a winner.
The live-betting function on the app is easy, fast, and efficient. Odds on the app are updated quickly during the action, which means there aren’t long periods where certain bets are unavailable. At least, that is the experience that I have seen.
However, the quickness with which odds are updated can sometimes be a headache. If you find excellent odds during a live game, sometimes those odds change before you even have a chance to place your bet. It becomes unfortunate when those odds don’t turn in your favor. That being said, overall, the app is well-designed and easy to use.
