Ohio is reaching the tail end of its first full year of legal sports betting. Things seem to be going well, as the Buckeye State is already a top 15 sports betting market in the US.
The state’s pro sports teams are a big part of the success. Several professional sports franchises partnered with sports wagering operators and have retail sportsbooks inside the arena.
The head honchos of these companies recognized the opportunity in the Ohio sports betting market and have capitalized on these partnerships with Ohio’s pro sports franchises to create vibrant in-person betting venues for fans to visit.
Several retail sportsbooks at or near team facilities are currently open in Ohio. PlayOhio looked at the revenue numbers and has ranked them based on the success they are seeing.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers – Caesars Sportsbook at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
This is the clear-cut No. 1 out of the Ohio sports team’s retail sportsbooks. For Cleveland Cavaliers fans, the chance to place bets is right inside the arena at the Caesars Sportsbook at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. It’s only steps away from the game action.
By the numbers, it’s no contest. Since opening in January, the sportsbook has handled $6.8 million worth of bets through August. That’s more than the other Ohio retail sportsbooks with a sports franchise affiliation combined. The venue has also generated over $557,000 in taxable revenue for the state.
The 10,355 square-foot sportsbook features wall-to-wall flatscreen televisions, five betting windows and 15 betting kiosks. The second level of the sportsbook includes an elevated lounge-like atmosphere with sofas, chairs, and cocktail tables. Both the lower and upper levels have bars and feature an extensive menu.
2. Columbus Blue Jackets – Fanatics Sportsbook near Nationwide Arena
One of the newest additions to the Ohio retail sports betting scene ranks second on the list. The Fanatics Sportsbook Columbus sits adjacent to Nationwide Arena, where the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets play.
The venue opened in late August, so revenue numbers are scarce. The location took just over $8,000 in bets during that short time while generating just over $5,000 in taxable revenue. That’s basically only a week’s worth of data. We’ll know about the success ed as the NHL season continues to ramp up.
However, it’s the environment this sportsbook creates that lands it at the No. 2 spot on this list. It is more than 5,000 square feet and features four betting windows, 14 self-service betting kiosks, a giant LED video wall and 20 TVs. There is also a full-service restaurant offering food options that every sports fan can enjoy.
3. Cleveland Guardians – Fanatics Sportsbook near Progressive Field
The Cleveland Guardians are also working with Fanatics and have brought an in-person betting option to ‘The Land.’
The Fanatics Sportsbook Cleveland is in the Right Field District outside Progressive Field. It’s a 600-square-foot facility with four betting kiosks and two betting windows. On Guardians game days the Fanatics Sportsbook is open two hours before the first pitch and stays open through the game’s conclusion.
Like its counterpart in Columbus, the Fantacis retail sportsbook’s Cleveland version also opens in late August. In that short span, the venue brought in just over $6,000 in bets while racking up over $3,000 in taxable revenue. These numbers may not increase sharply since the Guardians’ season is over.
What about the other teams?
Four other teams have deals with sports betting operators. Three of them made arrangements to open a retail betting location. Two of them have already opened and one of those two has already shut down.
Last month, SuperBook Sports was shutting down its retail betting operation at Taft’s Ale House in Cincinnati. It was created as part of a partnership with the FC Cincinnati MLS franchise. In January through June, according to revenue numbers from the Ohio Casino Control Commission, the site handled around in $62,000 in wagers and its revenue amounted to just over $4,000.
Meanwhile, another Cincinnati retail sportsbook is in flux. BetMGM Sportsbook’s retail location inside the Cincinnati Reds’ Great American Ball Park closed this summer and has moved to a new space just across the street from the stadium in the riverfront entertainment district, The Banks.
The former location at the ballpark had brought in over $901,000 in bets. However, it was losing money. The new sportsbook includes a local Nation Kitchen & Bar franchise location.
The Cleveland Browns are working to bring a Bally Bet Sportsbook lounge to the state. The re-imagined sports bar concept will open a short distance from the Cleveland Browns stadium. Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Bengals have a deal with BetFred Ohio and helped launch a mobile betting app in Ohio. However, the team declined to pursue a license for a retail sportsbook.
