Ohio sports betting is not limited to just retail and online sportsbooks. Across the state, there are 848 sports betting kiosks housed within bars, restaurants and other establishments — including the recent additions inside Kroger supermarkets.
The kiosks are distinctly different in many ways from traditional sports betting. While convenient, players are limited to $700 in bets each week. No prop bets or live bets are allowed. Wagers are limited to moneyline, spreads and over/unders.
In January, kiosks took in nearly $1.2 million in wagers. That led to $952,288 in winnings being paid out to bettors. Operators generated $212,879 in gross gaming revenue in the first month of 2024, an 18.27% hold percentage.
January handle was 37.2% better than January 2023, which was the first month of sports betting kiosk operation in Ohio. It was 3.8% lower than December 2023.
Bettors have won nearly $7M from kiosks in FY 2023
There are five operators of Ohio sports betting kiosks in Ohio, but one of those five – Gold Rush Sports Betting – has removed all of its machines. It still has unclaimed funds, so for now, it is included in the revenue report released by the Ohio Lottery.
Without a doubt, Sports Bet Ohio is the most popular operator in the state. The $603,120 in total bets taken in January led all operators and represented 51.7% of the statewide handle. Its bettors took home $482,491 in winnings, which left $120,165 in gross gaming revenue (GGR). Both amounts led the state. Sports Bet Ohio operates 733 kiosk locations, 84.3% of all host locations across the state.
The silver medal goes to UBet Ohio, which took in $297,064 from wagers in January. That led to bettors walking away with $248,975 in winnings, leaving $47,729 of revenue for UBet from its 56 host locations.
In third place was BetSkybox with $245,153. Bettors won $214,608 from that, which left $30,530 of GGR accumulated from its 57 host locations.
The fourth operational sports betting kiosk company is BetIGG, but its impact is marginal. It took in just $20,669 in wagers, but it enjoyed a nearly 70% hold, which led to $14,445 of GGR. Bettors took home just $6,214 in winnings. BetIGG currently operates kiosks at just two locations despite having 48 as recently as last July.
Nearly $8 million in wagers have been made at Ohio kiosks in Fiscal Year 2023, which began in July. Those bets resulted in a hold percentage of 11.2% for operators, so bettors have won nearly $7 million. Operators have taken home $866,707 in revenue after accounting $15,628 in voids and $14,491 in negative carryover.
January taxes from kiosks close to $50K
January sports betting kiosk wagers generated $48,325 of tax dollars for the Buckeye State. It was 53.5% better month over month and 70.3% better year over year. January’s tax revenue from kiosks was the highest single month total since sports betting launched a year ago.
Sports Bet Ohio paid $39,054 to the state in January. That accounted for over 80% of the total taxes paid from sports betting kiosks. UBet Ohio paid $4,773 in taxes, while BetSkybox paid $3,053 in January. BetIGG paid $1,446.
After adding in January’s tax contributions from kiosk wagers, the FY 2023 total is up to $211,345.
