The Ohio Casino Control Commission continues to make steady progress toward legalizing sports betting in Ohio.
The commission is currently seeking feedback on a draft of the application for Type-A and Type-B sports gaming licenses. Type-A licenses are for online sports betting companies, and Type-B licenses are for physical sportsbook locations.
The commission also released a draft application for online betting management services providers.
Written comments on these applications must be emailed to [email protected]. The deadline for comments is 5 p.m. on Friday, May 6.
Ohio’s sports betting law allows for the creation of up to 25 online sports wagering sites/apps and 40 retail sportsbooks. It could also potentially open the door for thousands of sports betting kiosks at restaurants, bars and grocery stores throughout the state that offer Ohio Lottery terminals.
Draft language for Type-C Ohio sports gaming license released
Last week, the Ohio Casino Control Commission released a draft of the application for a Type-C sports gaming license. The deadline to provide feedback on that draft has expired, but you can find the application here.
Type-C licenses include self-service or clerk-operated terminals in establishments with D-1, D-2, or D-5 liquor permits. There will be a maximum of 20 Type-C proprietors, which can place kiosks within liquor establishments, known as “gaming hosts.”
Bally Bet partners with Cleveland Browns to enter Ohio sports betting market
Sports betting operators continue to make deals and prepare to offer their services in Ohio. The most recent addition to the fold is Bally Bet, which is now partnering with the Cleveland Browns.
The deal includes entrance into the Ohio mobile betting market, a branded lounge at the Browns’ FirstEnergy Stadium, and some free-to-play opportunities for Cleveland Browns fans.
These free-to-play options will come with the chance for Browns fans to win special prizes themed with their team’s logos and branding. There will also be opportunities for fans to discover unique content online with the deal.
Bally Bet is the latest in a series of high-profile partnerships to take root in the Buckeye State. Since December 2021, BetRivers, Tipico, and BetPARX have each come to terms with Ohio-based entities that will give them access to the market. Respectively, the partnerships are with the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, the MLS’s Columbus Crew, and the PGA’s Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village.
These deals are in addition to the other prominent sportsbook operators that already have pathways through existing properties in Ohio. All signs are pointing to a major event for sports bettors in January 2023.
Launching By NFL Season Would Be Lucrative For Ohio
According to Ohio’s law, the Ohio Casino Control Commission must complete its preparations and get sports betting underway no later than Jan. 1, 2023. But the door is still open for legislators and operators to launch Ohio sports betting before that date.
PlayOhio last week released an analysis of what the Ohio sports betting market will miss out on if the state is unable to launch before Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season.
Based on an analysis of other states and the fact that Ohio boasts two NFL franchises, PlayOhio estimates tax revenue from legal sportsbooks in Ohio would bring in as much as $130 million per week in NFL betting volume alone during the 2022 NFL season.
Football betting represents around 30% of national handle. PlayOhio estimates that Ohio’s football betting handle will include 85% NFL and 15% college. If football betting represents one-third of an estimated $10 billion handle, Ohio will attract about $2.8 billion in NFL bets and around $500 million from college football.
The weekly gross revenue — or combined win for the sportsbooks — could come out to around $7 million per week. A conservative estimate of Ohio tax revenue from each NFL week comes out to around $400,000-$500,000 per week.
