The Ohio Casino Control Commission this week approved the first group of retail sportsbooks and 300 new applications to host sports betting kiosks.
Sports betting in Ohio kicks off on Jan. 1, 2023. The commission is working through licensing, background checks, equipment distribution and other steps toward the launch.
The commission on Wednesday approved eight of 10 Type-A and Type-B applications up for consideration, while delaying a decision on two others.
Ohio’s list of approved kiosk hosts now totals 500. The Ohio Lottery has pre-approved over 1,300 locations to add the devices.
Professional teams, Hollywood and Jack sportsbooks approved
Commissioners gave their stamp of approval to the first group of retail sportsbooks coming to Ohio. Each was also approved for a license to host an online sportsbook.
- Cleveland Browns
- Columbus Crew
- Muirfield Village Golf Club
- Cincinnati Reds
- Hollywood Casino Toledo
- Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley
- Jack Cleveland Casino
- Jack Thistledown Racino
The commission did not approve or deny applications for the Cincinnati Bengals, which has only applied to host a sports betting app, and FC Cincinnati, which applied for both retail and online. Commissioners voted to take up their applications at a later date.
More than a dozen additional applications still must be considered for both retail sportsbooks and online hosts. Over two dozen sports betting apps are also on the way.
Ohio sports betting application process hits a snag
Ohio is moving quickly to license the litany of operators that will comprise its robust sports betting market. But the clock is ticking, and commissioners are frustrated by some businesses failing to provide enough information in their applications.
During the Sept. 7 meeting, OCCC Executive Director Matt Schuler said one-third of Ohio’s sports betting applicants are at risk of not being licensed in time to launch on Ohio’s universal start date of Jan. 1, 2023.
The OCCC is not satisfied with the details it has received regarding ownership details and key employees from 33% of its applicants, said Schuler.
The commission set a new deadline of Oct. 5 for applicants to provide these details or risk missing Ohio’s start date. Schuler did not say which applicants are falling behind.
“There is no excuse for these not coming in,” Schuler said. “And, by the way, if they don’t and just to make this crystal clear for everybody: If they do not meet this deadline, they are disqualified from guaranteed consideration for universal start date.”
The Ohio Casino Control Commission will next meet on Sept. 21.
