Only 652 businesses applied to host sports betting kiosks in Ohio during the application window that guaranteed consideration ahead of the state’s Jan. 1, 2023 universal start date.
The Ohio Lottery had pre-approved 1,254 businesses as of Aug. 12, meaning nearly half of the pre-approved businesses (602) missed the deadline to procure Ohio sports betting licenses.
Despite the missed deadline, the commission says there is still time for the remaining pre-approved businesses to secure licenses in time for the universal start date.
“Even though the window has closed, we are strongly encouraging the pre-approved businesses by the Lottery to apply, and we will continue to process them as quickly as possible,” said Matt Schuler, chairman of the OCCC.
Kiosk host applications can be approved quickly
Schuler said during the commission’s Aug. 17 meeting that the requirements to host betting kiosks are narrow enough to process applications that come in after the deadline.
“We can marshal our resources and continue to get to those,” Schuler said. “But not just any time is going to be good enough because we have a very full calendar leading up to the universal start date.”
To qualify for a license, companies must:
- Be a licensed lottery sales agent.
- Hold a Type D1 (beer only), D2 (wine and mixed drinks only) or D5 (full bar) liquor permit.
- Be a for-profit corporation or association.
- Pay a non-refundable $1,000 application fee to the Ohio Casino Control Commission.
- Select a licensed Type C Sports Gaming Proprietor partner.
A wide variety of businesses have been pre-approved and are expected to have kiosks up and running by Jan. 1, including restaurants, bars, bowling alleys, golf courses, hotels, convenience stores, truck stops and supermarkets.
Each kiosk host must partner with an operator to run the kiosks.
As of Aug. 19, the Ohio Lottery’s pre-approval list had grown to 1,303 businesses.
OCCC moving to ‘person side’
With both application windows now closed, the commission will now begin focusing on sports gaming employee applications.
The commission is expecting a significant number of applications and is asking businesses to file by Nov. 2 in order to be guaranteed consideration ahead of Jan. 1.
As with the kiosk applications, the commission will consider applications after the deadline. Every sector of the Ohio sports betting industry, from sportsbooks to suppliers and service providers, needs to file employee applications through the commission.
