At long last, Ohioans can legally bet on sports in their state.
Betting started at 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 1, right after the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve. If you’re in Ohio right now, then you can already start to place your first bets from your phone.
It’s been a long road to get to this point, and bettors have been patient. Thankfully for everyone in the Buckeye State, the big day is finally here.
Thanks to sports betting in Ohio, bettors in the state can place their bets at Las Vegas-style retail sportsbooks and kiosks scattered at businesses all over the state.
That’s in addition to nearly two dozen online betting apps, many of which are currently taking bets at this moment. These online sportsbooks are already offering all sorts of special deals and promotions to mark the occasion.
You’ll need these sign-up deals to get the most bang for your buck when creating sportsbook accounts, so check the list below for all the details.
21+ and present in OH. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER+
Historic day for Ohio gambling
It took Ohio over a year to get its sports betting industry off the ground.
Gov. Mike DeWine legalized sports betting in Ohio on Dec. 22, 2021. Signing HB 29 into law kicked off the year-long process that led to today’s kickoff.
It’s been a big decade for gambling in Ohio as a whole. Gambling companies received the thumbs up to build casinos in the state back in 2009, and Ohio’s market has been growing ever since.
Legal sports betting is now the cherry on top of that gambling expansion.
Gamblers in Ohio already have all sorts of betting options at their fingertips, and the state’s sportsbooks have new deals available to help set everyone off on the right foot.
Welcome offers and bonus deals from Ohio sportsbooks
At least 11 online betting apps started taking bets at 12:01 a.m. this morning in Ohio. That number will continue to grow. It’s the largest single-day launch of online sports betting apps in US history.
Bettors in Ohio can already take advantage of a handful of new welcome offers from the state’s online sportsbooks. These bonuses are designed to be great deals for gamblers to help them celebrate the early days of legal betting.
These deals won’t be around forever, so it’s worth getting in on the action now if any strike your interest.
Since welcome offers are typically the best deals you can find from a sportsbook, taking advantage of them during the early days of betting can add up.
- DraftKings Ohio: Bet $5, Get $200 Instantly + $1,000 Deposit Bonus + $50 Bonus Bet
- Caesars Ohio: Up to $1,500 First Bet Insurance
- BetMGM Ohio: Up to $1,000 First Bet Insurance
- BetRivers Ohio: Get $500 Second-Chance Bonus
- FanDuel Ohio: Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets
- Bet365 Ohio: Bet $1, Get $200 On Launch
- PointsBet Ohio: Two Second Chance Bets Up to $2,000
- Betfred Ohio: Bet $50, Get $111 + Get up to $1,000 in Fred Bets
Depending on how each bettor’s situation works out, that’s up to $7,761 that Ohio residents can claim right now.
Signing up for multiple sportsbooks can be a great way to maximize earnings from welcome bonuses, so feel free to mix and match the deals that work best for you.
Ohio sports betting basics
Today marks the start of something new for Ohio residents. Some bettors have been placing bets in nearby states, but for the majority for folks, betting on sports is a completely new activity.
If you’re new to the gambling world, then deciphering all of the new terms, betting odds and types of bets can feel overwhelming.
Thankfully, it’s all pretty simple once you get the hang of things. Here are a few basic resources that can help you get started:
Ohio sports bettors already have a full plate when it comes to the list of betting options.
A full slate of NFL Week 17 games is taking place today, plus a handful of college football bowl games will kick off tomorrow. Both are great options for the first days of betting if you’re looking for somewhere to start.
Ohio sports betting is finally here, and residents from around the state will be rushing to place their first bets today. Whether you’re claiming multiple welcome offers from sportsbooks or just brushing up on the basics, Jan. 1, 2023, is sure to be a day worth remembering for gamblers in Ohio.
21+ and present in OH. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
