I have embarked on on a grand tour of sportsbooks in Ohio. The Buckeye State finally launched legal sports betting in Ohio at the turn of the year, something this lifelong Clevelander was anticipating heavily.
My tour begins with two Cincinnati sportsbooks: BetMGM and FanDuel retail sportsbooks.
Betting from your phone is fun and convenient, but nothing beats handing cash in at the window and getting a physical ticket in return.
Note: These are reviews about the physical locations rather than the BetMGM Sportsbook Ohio and FanDuel Sportsbook Ohio apps themselves.
Ohio Sportsbook Review: BetMGM
Located inside Great American Ball Park, BetMGM offers one of the best views of any Ohio sportsbook. The downtown location is exceedingly walkable, although getting there on a game day might be difficult. I suggest parking across the river in Kentucky and walking the pedestrian bridge across. Newport, Ky., offers easy access to I-471 and I-275, which bypass downtown Cincinnati.
Dozens of restaurant-style tables sit near wide windows that overlook the third base line of the ballpark. On a Monday in January, it’s just a novelty. But during the summer heat of July, BetMGM offers a view of the Reds game while servicing bettors.
Bettors are met with tall ceilings, plenty of kiosks, and a centralized bar. BetMGM incorporated the stadium structure into the design, with exposed beams and brick being the design theme. The walls are littered with signed photos of Cincinnati Reds greats.
As with all books, there’s no shortage of screens. The main screen is clearly utilized for multiple games, but since the only contest ongoing at the time was the Cotton Bowl, they stretched it out onto one screen. Directly underneath said screen is the betting window, with three counters available.
We were also given $15 vouchers for food and drink along with a BetMGM-branded winter cap. Not a bad way to be greeted.
The grand tour of Cincinnati sportsbooks today! Checking out BetMGM at the Great American Ball Park and FanDuel at Belterra Park. #WorkTrip @TheLinesUS pic.twitter.com/6bnFf0NxW4
— Brett Gibbons (@roadtocfb) January 2, 2023
The bar-style setup differs from those located inside casinos and sets BetMGM’s book here apart.
It also didn’t hurt that a pair of live bets hit while at the book.
Ohio Sportsbook Review: FanDuel
FanDuel Sportsbook in Cincinnati is located inside Belterra Park — a racino offering horse racing southeast of downtown. Belterra Park is also conveniently located off I-275 in the eastern suburbs, giving a much more accessible escape route for bettors not wanting to traverse downtown Cincinnati.
Locating FanDuel’s Belterra location is easy enough. Some books inside casinos can be difficult to find since casinos are intentionally laid out like a maze, but FanDuel is a straight shot. In front of a half-dozen screens you’ll find comfortable blue chairs with charging outlets at each one. It’s not the biggest sportsbook around, but there’s ample seating for its capacity.
The in-house bar opens at 4 p.m., but there’s a convenient sports bar just feet from the book.
There are fewer kiosks than BetMGM, but still plenty enough to handle the traffic. FanDuel also offers three betting counters, but does not offer food like BetMGM.
BetMGM, FanDuel sportsbooks are great options
BetMGM and FanDuel Sportsbook offered vastly different experiences, both positive. The staffs were friendly and accommodating.
For a more sports-bar feel located in the heart of downtown Cincinnati, I recommend BetMGM. For convenience in a casino setting — or perhaps while you’re visiting the horse track — I’d recommend FanDuel.
Be on the lookout for more Ohio sportsbook reviews from Akron, Cleveland, Columbus, and more.
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