It's Go Time for Sports Betting in Ohio

It’s been a long wait for Ohio sports bettors. When the U.S. Supreme Court lifted the U.S. ban on sports betting, Ohio residents were eager for legislators to pass a sports betting bill that would permit them to place sports wagers from the comforts of home.

The first step in the process didn’t occur until December 2021. That’s when Ohio Governor Mike DeWine finally signed the sports betting legislation that was provided to him by Ohio legislators. From that point, it took until summertime for the Ohio Casino Control Commission to get all of the rules and regulations in place. They also moved forward to designate January 1, 2023, as the official launch date of sports betting in Ohio.

About the Ohio Sports Betting Bill

The bill in question was HB 29. Under the provisions of this bill, three types of operators will be permitted to accept sports wagers. Type A licenses with go to as many as 25 online/mobile sports betting operators. Type B licenses, up to 40, will be issued to retail outlets, professional sports teams, and casinos. That leaves another 20 Type C licenses that will be issued for sports betting terminals in liquor stores and sports bars.

BetMGM Partners With the Cincinnati Reds

To date, a number of high-profile organizations and online/mobile operators have already been licensed to start taking legal sports bets on January 1, 2023. That prestigious includes the likes of top mobile operators like Caesars Sportsbook, BetFred, DraftKings, Fanduel, PointsBet, BetRivers, and Barstool among others. Oh, the list also includes BetMGM Sportsbook through a new deal with the Cincinnati sports franchise.

In a press release, Reds officials announced they will be holding a special event on January 1 at BetMGM Sportsbook at Great American Ball Park. As a part of the event, Reds’ long-time season ticketholders are assured of a place in line to place their first legal sports bets at home. The event is being co-sponsored by BetMGM and the Cincinnati Reds.

The first event is scheduled to include special guests like former Reds outfield and superstar George Foster, and former Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro nose tackle Tim Krumrie. As the one-day event comes to a close, BetMGM will be unveiling the new paint scheme for car #8, the car that BetMGM will be sponsoring on behalf of the Richard Childress Racing team and top 5 driver Kyle Busch.

The BetMGM Retail Sportsbook is located in the Wings and Rings Machine Room inside the stadium. That would be on the northeast side. The sportsbook will officially open at 11:00 am CT with the ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled at 11:15 am CT. That leaves plenty of time for Ohio sports bettors to place their first legal in-state bets on the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, and the rest of the NFL schedule for week #17.

Progress might be slow in Ohio, but Ohio sports bettors will be lining up to place bets. Access to over 20 mobile operators will also be available on January 1.