More than a year after Ohio lawmakers moved legal sports betting through the state legislature in less than a day, the moment of launch has finally arrived. A group of 16 digital operators and 13 retail sportsbooks have prepared to go live at 12:01 a.m. Sunday or soon after.
In the weeks leading up to launch, the Ohio Casino Control Commission has made responsible gambling concerns a top priority. The commission announced two policy violations in December and also sent a strongly worded letter to operators directing them to reassess their advertising and marketing materials.
The OCCC is concerned about preventing advertising to minors and ensuring that all marketing materials prominently include responsible gambling messages and gambling hotline information. To that end, Sports Handle would like to remind everyone to bet responsibly and know that they can use time- and money-limit tools provided by all digital operators. For any concerns about excessive betting, call the National Council on Problem Gambling’s 1-800-GAMBLER helpline or 1-800-589-9966, the Ohio Problem Gambling Hotline.
Stay with us into the start of 2023 as we update our live blog with all of the latest developments.
December 31, 10:14 p.m.
Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar will place a $19,000 moneyline bet just after midnight with Tipico’s digital sportsbook for next week’s Browns vs. Steelers game, the company announced Saturday night. The bet will mark Tipico’s launch in Ohio and kick off the company’s new partnership with sports and media company BIGPLAY. Based in Cleveland, BIGPLAY will also sponsor the VIP Player Lounge and Studio at Burke Lakefront Airport in Cleveland.
The size of Kosar’s bet is to honor the No. 19 jersey he wore when he played for the Browns from 1985-93 and was twice chosen for the Pro Bowl.
Ohio Sportsbook Pre-Launch Offers
December 31, 9:30 p.m.
Here’s a list of all the digital operators set to go live Sunday:
- Barstool Sportsbook (Hollywood Casino Columbus)
- Betfred Sports (Cincinnati Bengals)
- betJACK (JACK Cleveland Casino)
- BetMGM (Northfield Park Associates)
- Betr (HOF Village Newco, LLC)
- BetRivers (Hollywood Gaming Dayton Raceway)
- Betway (Belterra Park)
- bet365 (Cleveland Guardians Baseball Company)
- Caesars Sportsbook (Scioto Downs)
- DraftKings (Hollywood Casino Toledo)
- FanDuel (Belterra Park)
- Gamewise/MVGBet (Miami Valley Gaming and Racing)
- PointsBet (Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley)
- Hard Rock Digital (Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati)
- SuperBook (FC Cincinnati Holdings)
- Tipico (Crew SC Stadium Company)
And all the brick-and-mortar locations:
- Belterra Park (FanDuel)
- FC Cincinnati at Taft’s Ale House (Superbook)
- Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati (Hard Rock Digital)
- Hollywood Casino Columbus (Barstool Sportsbook)
- Hollywood Casino Toledo (Barstool Sportsbook)
- Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway (Barstool Sportsbook)
- Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley (Barstool Sportsbook)
- JACK Cleveland Casino (betJACK)
- JACK Thistledown Racino (betJACK)
- Northfield Park (BetMGM)
- Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse (Caesars Sportsbook)
- Scioto Downs (Caesars Sportsbook)
- The Cincinnati Reds at the Machine Room (BetMGM)
December 31, 9 p.m.
On the eve of its debut in Ohio, DraftKings received unfavorable news when the OCCC tagged it for a rules violation for marketing to those under the legal age to gamble. It was the second such action by the commission since the middle of December.
The OCCC in early December announced a violation that could cost Barstool Sportsbook $250,000, and on Friday it announced it would potentially fine DraftKings $350,000. Barstool Sportsbook allegedly broke the commission’s advertising rules when it took its College Football Countdown Show on the road to Toledo in September. DraftKings allegedly sent up to 2,500 fliers to consumers under the age of 21.
“The Commission has been very clear about the rules and standards for sports gaming advertising with the industry, and are disappointed with the lack of compliance we have seen despite reminders,” Matthew Schuler, executive director of the Ohio Casino Control Commission, said in a press release. “While we do not take administrative action lightly, DraftKings’ conduct in this case warrants the Commission’s intervention to ensure the integrity of sports gaming.”
Both companies are entitled to a public hearing, and final action on the fines would take place at a public meeting. PENN Entertainment CEO Jay Snowden said at a Massachusetts Gaming Commission review of his company’s retail application in that state this month that told that PENN would pay the OCCC fine and move forward. Snowden said the violation was made in error, but he also suggested that the OCCC’s definition around advertising wasn’t clear.
21+ and present in OH. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
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Visit the Association of Certified Gaming Compliance Specialists Here