It’s always noteworthy when the calendar flips from one year to the next, but for Ohio sports fans, 2023 brings more than resolutions. On Jan. 1, online sportsbooks can start accepting wagers in the state, with many of the top names in the industry poised to enter the market.
Ohio has been working toward a sports betting launch for more than a year, and following months of regulatory work, licensing, and testing, the market will open a few moments into 2023. The state is not only opening for business online, but it’s also launching retail sports betting on the same day. And not a day too soon. Many exciting sporting events are slated for early January.
Sports bettors in Ohio should be aware that only licensed sportsbooks are authorized to operate in the state. You should be wary of illegal offshore sportsbooks that prey on customers when a new market opens. The sportsbooks we list below are each licensed and reputable, ensuring your transactions and money are safe.
Sports bettors in Ohio must complete registration with a sportsbook and be at least 21 years of age to be eligible. While you can register early, you will be unable to submit your betting slips until Jan. 1, 2023. In Ohio, you can wager on professional and collegiate sports, including in-state college athletics.
Under Ohio law, sportsbooks will pay 10% of adjusted gross revenue to the state as a tax. This means your sports betting activity in the state will help assist in funding state programs. That’s one of the reasons you want to register with a licensed sportsbook, like those listed below. When you use our links, you’re also eligible for a bonus, or in some cases, you’ll receive free betting credits before launch day.
Which Sportsbooks Will be Available When Ohio Sports Betting Launches?
Just a few seconds after midnight on Jan. 1, 2023, select sportsbooks will hit the open market in Ohio and begin accepting wagers.
BetMGM Ohio
For all the reasons BetMGM is a great sports betting app, one of the things we like most is its intuitive dashboard. After a few days of betting and browsing odds, BetMGM Sportsbook will tailor your experience to match your interests. Your favorite sports will appear at the top of the menu, and your favorite teams can be tracked easily too. Love it.
PointsBet Ohio
If you are the type of person who likes to do your own thing and be a little different, maybe PointsBet is for you. This innovative sportsbook lists odds that allow you to win more, the more correct you are. Pick your favorite team to cover a 6-point spread, and they cover by nine? Boom, you win more for being even more right than you needed to be. Of course, you can also lose more, but the unique betting odds and wager types from PointsBet make it a favorite of sports fans who like to maximize wins.
FanDuel Ohio
What would a sports betting market be without FanDuel Sportsbook, a wildly popular online sportsbook with live betting, some of the best odds, and easy methods for depositing and withdrawing your money? We give FanDuel 5 out of 5 stars for its usability and reliability as an app.
DraftKings Ohio
Not only will you get a pre-launch bonus when you sign up with DraftKings Ohio, but you’ll also be entered in a drawing to be one of five customers to potentially receive a $100,000 free bet. How nice would it be to have a FREE $100,000 bet to use on the Buckeyes?
Caesars Ohio
Ease of use and breadth of odds have always made Caesars Sportsbook popular — not to mention its industry-leading loyalty rewards program. But now you can also watch live-streamed NFL games within the Caesars app, a first.
Bet365 Ohio
We’re excited that Bet365 will be available in Ohio for sports fans. If you’re seeking even more ways to bet, more odds on oodles of sporting events, this is the app for you.
Claim These Ohio Sportsbook Bonuses Before Launch Day
The Ohio sports betting operators above will be available on Jan. 1, 2023, for wagering, but you can register with them now, to be ready for opening day. If you register early, you can receive all kinds of free bets and other bonuses that will be ready to go in your account once sports betting is live on New. Year’s Day.
Bet365 Ohio: Claim $100 in Free Bets
One of the exciting names in Ohio sports betting will be Bet365, which is entering its second state with online betting. Bet365 is handing out $100 to new users in Ohio, and you can claim those free bets before Jan. 1, 2023. Once you complete registration, your $100 in free bets will be in your account, and you can use them for your wagers starting on launch day.
FanDuel Ohio: Claim a $100 Early Sign-Up Bonus
Similar to Bet365, FanDuel is giving out $100 in free betting credits when you register before Jan. 1. But you’ll need to register before the market goes live on New Year’s Day to grab these credits. FanDuel is one of the leading sportsbooks in North America, listing odds in dozens of sports.
Caesars Ohio: Claim a $100 Free Bet
Did you know you can register with multiple sportsbooks in Ohio? You sure can. That’s why you should create accounts with as many of these operators as possible before Jan. 1, if you’re planning to be an active bettor in Ohio. Otherwise, you’re missing out on bonuses. Caesars, known as “The King of Sportsbooks,” is awarding a $100 free bet to Ohio users before Jan. 1, 2023.
DraftKings Ohio: Claim $200 in Free Bets
The biggest offer being handed out before the Ohio market debuts is $200 in free bets, which you can claim from DraftKings — the leading sportsbook in the United States based on market share. Remember, the free bets cannot be used until Jan. 1, when Ohio flips the switch and opens for business.
BetMGM Ohio: Claim $200 in Free Bets
There’s another $200 available from BetMGM Sportsbook as an “early sign-up offer” from this trusted operator. Find odds for most sports you can imagine, and a parlay builder to craft your own wager. Sign up early to qualify for your $200 from BetMGM.
Top Sporting Events to Bet in Ohio
Everyone who loves sports betting will be happy on Jan. 1, 2023, when Ohio opens for business with online sportsbooks. But fans will be even more thrilled if the Ohio State Buckeyes emerge victorious on Dec. 31 in their College Football Playoff matchup against Georgia.
If the Buckeyes win, you’ll be able to place bets on OSU for the national championship game, scheduled for Jan. 9. It could be a rematch against the Michigan Wolverines.
Starting only a few seconds into 2023, you’ll be able to wager on the NFL, NBA, NHL, college basketball, college football, MMA/UCF, racing, and other events listed with odds in your favorite sportsbooks. Because you’re smart: you’ll have already registered (claiming bonuses before launch day), and have free betting credits to use as you start your sports betting in the Buckeye State.
