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Fast Withdrawals The Ohio legislature has been trying to pass legal online sports betting since the federal ban was lifted in 2018. Finally, January 1st, 2023, marked the beginning of legal online betting in the OH state.
Until late last year, legal sports betting business had been flowing out of the state, with four of the five states bordering Ohio having already legalized sports betting.
A top ten state in terms of population, with more than 11 million people, the Buckeye state finally got its wish in December of 2022 when the House passed Ohio sports betting bill HB 29, legalizing retail, online, and mobile sports betting. Collegiate sports betting included.
Joining more than half the country in legalizing sports betting, the Ohio sports betting bill allows for the operation of at least 25 sports betting licenses in Ohio. With mobile horse racing and daily fantasy sports already legal in the state, Ohio should have an easy time expanding into online sports betting.
With well-established online sportsbooks and mobile apps refining their processes, legal online sports betting state by state, and competing for customers, there has never been a better time to be a sports bettor. Now, Ohio is in on the action.
Ohio State University and Cincinnati Bengals fans will be happy to hear the state went live on the first of 2023, giving sports bettors plenty of time to clean up during the football postseason. The launch date was also in the middle of the NBA season and well before NCAA March Madness.
Below we cover the best Ohio sports betting sites based on sports offered, ways to wager, welcome bonuses, and overall online sports betting experience. Legal online sports betting has arrived on Ohio, let’s get started.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Ohio?
Ohio had multiple failed attempts at passing sports betting legislation before Governor Mike DeWine signed an amended version of HB 29 into law last year.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission, which oversees the daily fantasy sports of sites like DraftKings, FanDuel, Fantasy Draft, and Yahoo!, will supervise all things Ohio sports betting.
The decision to give the Ohio Casino Control Commission was the source of some negotiation, as many in the legislature wanted the Lottery Commission to regulate the sports betting industry, but the consensus is having the Ohio Casino Control Commission regulate sports betting is better for bettors in the state because it will ensure a more open and competitive marketplace.
Ohio professional sports teams have already begun partnering with online sports betting sites, including the MLS’s Columbus Crew (Tipico), MLB’s Cincinnati Reds (WynnBET), NFL’s Cleveland Browns (Bally Bet), and NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers (Betway, Caesars, FanDuel, and Fubo). The Cleveland Cavaliers being the first.
One significant difference in the Ohio sports betting bill, compared to other states, is the addition of thousands of sports betting kiosks coming to local establishments, similar to what FanDuel and the Phoenix Suns have going.
Ohio sports betting legislation timeline:
- March 2019 – Senate Bill 111 is introduced.
- December 2020 – Senate couldn’t come to an agreement. SB 111 dies in committee.
- May 2021 – SB 176 is introduced. The sports betting bill requires retail sportsbooks to be stand-alone operations, thus excluding casinos and horse race tracks from taking part.
- June 2021 – Ohio State Senate passes SB 176 by a vote of 31-2 on Jun. 16. The sports betting bill was amended shortly after to include casinos and racinos (31-0). The House fails to bring a vote before sessions end.
- August 2021 – House Bill 29 makes its way to the House.
- December 2021 – HB 29 passes by a vote of 103-13 on Dec. 8. HB 29 was officially signed into law on Dec. 22.
- January 2023 – The Ohio betting market goes live!
Highest-Rated OH Sports Betting Apps
- Accepts deposits as low as $5
- Hefty welcome and referral bonuses
- Available in 22 US States
- Massive Choice of Sports
- Daily Odds Boosts
- Convenient Banking
- Superb range of sports
- Enticing rewards program
- Extensive catalogs of betting markets
- Great Mobile App
- Brilliant Welcome Bonus
- Range Of Bet Types
- Trusted sports betting company since 2006
- Easy-to-navigate website and mobile app
- Boosted odds on select games
- Great Welcome Bonus
- 20+ Sports to bet on
- Been operating since 2000
Not all sportsbooks are created equal, and because of their early adoption around the country, DraftKings and FanDuel can offer better odds, more bets, and more ways to wager on them.
Thanks to their daily fantasy sports dominance in Ohio, new bettors may already be familiar with the two sports betting behemoths. Novice bettors and seasoned vets alike will be amazed at the number of options.
After that, it goes BetMGM, Caesars, and then everyone else. With already established retail sportsbook and casino properties around the globe, the pair of sports betting sites have had the easiest time making up ground on DraftKings and FanDuel and separating itself from the rest of the competition, primarily by offering clean layouts, competitive odds, ongoing promotions, and a decent amount of same-game parlays similar to DraftKings and FanDuel.
Mobile users will find that the sportsbook apps mirror the browser edition for the most part. Some features may be tucked away, but everything should be just a few clicks away.
Welcome bonuses help mitigate much of the possibility of losing, giving new Ohio bettors peace of mind while finding their forever sportsbook. It’s not uncommon for bettors to have a few online sports betting accounts in hopes of getting better odds on one of them. Ongoing promos, including profit boosts, will keep bettors well-stocked with bonus bets.
All the best Ohio sports betting sites feature a cash-out early option (at adjusted odds), but using this option will disqualify bettors from receiving the deposit bonus.
Hot to choose the best Ohio Sportsbook App
Choosing the best Ohio betting app to suit your needs could be a slightly daunting task. The good news is, our team has made this much more simple by highlighting the important factors to consider when choosing the best sports betting app in Ohio.
Bonuses and Promotions
Each Ohio betting app will offer some form of welcome bonus to attract new customers to their site. Whether it is a second chance bet, bonus bet credit or a straightforward deposit bonus, these bonuses can provide an instant boost to your bankroll. Check out our list of the best apps in Ohio to claim your welcome bonus today.
Range of Bet Types
The best sports bet apps in Ohio will offer exotic bet types in addition to the standard wagers such as point spreads, moneylines and over/unders (totals). Look out for player props and live betting options to add more excitement to your betting experience.
User Experience
If the user experience on app is poor, you are not going to hang around for long as it can be incredibly frustrating. All modern sports betting apps must have fast load times and intuitive menus. You don’t want the app crashing just as you are about to place your bet so an app that allows you to locate your match and then wager quickly is a must.
Security
All the apps listed on this page are licensed to operate in Ohio and have undertaken stringent testing to ensure all players’ personal and financial information is secure at all times. There is no need to worry when adding funds with any betting apps listed on this site.
Payment Options
The best Ohio sports betting apps should provide the most efficient online banking methods, including e-wallets, credit cards, debit cards and prepaid cards. Look for apps that have the most choice of payment options as you are more likely to find the one you prefer. This is also important for the payout speed, Play+ and PayPal have the fastest transaction times so if you want an app with fast payouts, look out for those two banking options.
Customer Service
If you encounter any issues when gambling online, it is reassuring to know that the operator has 24/7 support available via live chat, email or phone.
Legally Betting on Sports in Ohio
More than half the country has paved the way for legal sports betting in the Buckeye State going smoothly. Especially considering daily fantasy sports and horse racing are already legal in Ohio.
Getting started with any of the top sportsbooks in Ohio is a breeze.
Qualifying Players
Qualifying players must be 21 years of age and located within the borders of the state of Ohio. A geolocation check will be performed to verify you are where you say you are.
Registration
After successfully installing the app, you’ll need to create an account by providing some standard personal information, including your name, date of birth, address, phone number, email, and the first four of your social security number. The process should only take a few minutes to complete.
Download the App
All the top Ohio online sports betting sites have mobile versions for iOS and Android, which can be found in their respective app stores. To download a mobile sportsbook, search the online sports betting app of your choice and follow the installation instructions. Some operators may even choose to go mobile-app only in OH.
Account Verification
Additional account verification may be required, including the ability to provide back and front photos of your ID, a selfie, or email confirmation.
First Deposit
A sports bettor’s first deposit is an opportunity to maximize profits and minimize losses. The sports betting industry has settled on a few standard ways to welcome new users, including a deposit bonus or a first bet insurance, resulting in bonus bet credits.
Bonuses for new players
Deposit bonuses are usually the most bang for your buck as they require a small deposit and possibly a nominal first wager to unlock a hundred dollars or more in bet credits. Bet credits act as bet insurance if the wager goes south. If the wager loses, money will be refunded within a few days through bonus bet credits.
Be sure to read the terms and conditions before making any moves. Some bonuses have specific requirements, and bonus bets often have an expiration date. Credit may be handed out in installments depending on the bet’s size. Bonus bets will not be included in the payout.
Are Winnings from Betting Apps Taxable in Ohio?
Winning Buckeye State bettors must report all gambling winnings to the IRS regardless of the amount. The state has set a tax rate of 10 percent. It’s often misreported that you don’t owe taxes on winnings less than $600. In actuality, the payer must report all winnings to the IRS when someone has won more than $600 or more than 300 times their initial stake.
Potential Tax Revenue for Ohio
At the pace sports betting is growing, previous estimates of revenue generated can be thrown out the window. Ohio has a similar population to its legal sports betting neighbor Pennsylvania, which did $84 million in November of 2021. Their most considerable one-month sports betting revenue in over three years of legalized sports betting.
Recent one-month tax revenue for Ohio’s neighboring states:
- Pennsylvania Sports Betting – $49 million
- Michigan Sports Betting – $32 million
- Indiana Sports Betting – $30 million
- West Virginia Sports Betting – $4 million
Features of Ohio Betting Apps
The top Ohio sports betting sites have similar features, welcome bonuses, ongoing promos, intuitive layouts, and banking options. Bettors in Ohio can’t go wrong when choosing one of the sportsbooks listed above.
Banking Methods
Sports betting apps in Ohio feature various instant deposit methods, including bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and PayPal. Other banking methods include eCheck, PayNearMe, and Play+. Some sports betting sites have even started accepting Apple Pay and Venmo.
Withdrawal options won’t be as plentiful and may take anywhere from a day to two week. If you plan to use multiple Ohio sports betting apps, something we recommend, PayPal will become your best friend. It seems to have been most widely adopted as a way to get bettors their bankrolls.
Sportsbook Bonuses
Besides sportsbook welcome bonuses, sports betting sites feature ongoing promos to keep bettors engaged, including parlay bet insurance and profit boosts. Parlay insurance is similar to bet credits, but usually has specific requirements which must be met. These criteria include the number of legs combined and the odds needed. Profit boosts can be provided by the sportsbook on high-profile players and events or by your own creation.
Sports Betting Options
The majority of legal sports betting sites offer anywhere from a handful of sports to more than two dozen, with many professional sports leagues within those options and various ways to wager on players and outcomes. Sports betting falls into a few categories: moneylines, point spreads, under/overs for most contests, hundreds of prop bets, futures, live betting, and more.
- Moneyline – The most simple wager to make. Bettors are wagering on the outright winner. A minus sign next to the number will indicate the favorite and a plus sign will signify the underdog. The number represents the payout on a $100 wager.
- Point Spread – The number posted is the perceived margin of victory. For a bet on a favorite to cash, the outcome must go over the number. The inverse is true when betting on underdogs.
- Over/Under – Along with team and game point totals, most prop bets will be in the form of (o) overs and (u) unders. Bettors are wagering on whether the number goes over or under what is posted.
- Prop Bets – The number of ways to wager on an event are growing by the day. Prop bets allow bettors to wager on player and team statistical outcomes within the contest.
- Futures – Available during the season and prior, futures bets are wagers which can be made on things like the league champion, team win totals, and season award winners.
- Live Betting – In-play wagering is a great way to keep up with the action and can be to the bettor’s advantage if they see something before the oddsmakers do. Bets will be limited compared to pregame, and the odds are constantly changing. Be sure to act fast as wagers lock/unlock regularly.
Market Coverage
Ohio sportsbook apps provide action on professional and college sports teams and leagues, including the MLB, MLS, NASCAR, NBA, NCAA, NFL, NHL, PGA, and UFC.
The Buckeye State is home to nine professional sports teams and 12 D-I Universities, including the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Cavaliers, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Ohio State University. All of which are available to wager on.
Safety & Support
Legal online sportsbooks in the US use industry-standard encryption technology to protect sensitive personal information and ensure secure transactions. For those seeking support, start with the FAQ. Live chats can resolve minor issues, and email for more complicated problems.
Understanding responsible gaming is of the utmost importance, and in online sportsbooks’ best interest, the majority provides easy-to-find contact information for those looking to get help. Taking a proactive approach, many of the best Ohio sports betting sites also allow users to set time limits, deposit limits, and lockout periods.
Know When To Stop Before You Start.® 21+ and present in OH. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Ohio Sports Betting vs Other States
With the Ohio sports betting law allowing for a large number of licenses, mobile sports betting, kiosks, and zero limitations on college sports, there is nothing in HB 29 holding back Ohio from having a successful sports betting year.
In the next evolution of online sports betting, kiosk locations will include restaurants, bars, bowling alleys, golf courses, hotels, convenience stores, truck stops, and supermarkets. Created for the casual bettor, these stations will be limited to moneylines, spreads, over/unders, and simple parlays. Individual Ohio sports bettors can wager up to $700 a week across all sports betting kiosks.
