BetRivers is hoping to join the sports betting party in Ohio. The mobile app has applied for a license to take online bets.
Rush Street Interactive, the sportsbook’s parent company, has already sent the paperwork over to gaming officials in the state.
Despite that, the company could still end up missing the Jan. 1, 2023 universal start date for legal Ohio sports betting.
BetRivers misses Ohio application deadline
There’s sure to be a litany of sportsbook options to chose from on day one, but BetRivers might not be one of them.
BetRivers missed the original sports betting application deadline of July 15. In other words, there’s no guarantee that the app will be open for business on Jan. 1.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) will still review the company’s application, but the sportsbooks that applied within that first deadline are the priority for now.
Hollywood Columbus and BetRivers partnership
Regardless of when it opens its digital doors for business, BetRivers will eventually work with Hollywood Casino Columbus.
Penn National Gaming owns Hollywood Columbus, plus a significant chunk of Barstool Sports. Because of that, the casino is already working with Barstool Sportsbook.
BetRivers would become the casino’s second online skin. That’s of course assuming that the OCCC gives the company’s application the thumbs up.
Rush Street had to find a casino partner since it doesn’t have any properties of its own in Ohio. Penn National, on the other hand, owns the following gaming venues in the state:
- Hollywood Casino Columbus
- Hollywood Casino Toledo
- Hollywood Gaming Dayton Raceway
- Hollywood Mahoning Valley Race Course
Since Penn owns so many properties, Barstool will have a big presence in Ohio once sports betting is up and running. The brand’s online app will be taking bets, in addition to a handful of retail sportsbooks throughout the state.
What’s next for Ohio sports betting?
The list of Ohio applications is starting to pile up. That’s great news for future sports bettors in the state.
Generally speaking, the more options, the better. Having multiple companies competing with each other will lead to better deals, odds and promotions for gamblers.
The OCCC is reviewing the applicants in advance of Ohio’s Jan. 1 start date.
In the meantime, the application window for sports betting kiosks is currently underway. That stretch runs until Aug. 15.
The Ohio Lottery has already pre-approved over 1,000 businesses. Between kiosks and regular sportsbooks, the state will be busy sorting through new applicants once that window closes.
