Top Ohio Sports Betting Sites: Best Sportsbooks in Ohio for 2024

Written by: Oliver Thompson, Senior Editor Fact-checked by: Emily Davies, Head of Content Last Updated: August 21, 2024, 1:40 PM ET

Ohio offers access to 19 top-tier sports betting sites — more than any other state. With so many Ohio sportsbook promos available, it can be tough to know where to start. Read on to discover which Ohio sportsbooks are the best fit for you.

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$1,000 First Bet on Caesars

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20% Deposit Match up to $1,000

New customers only. Deposit min. $5. Place daily first bet of min. $5 and get up to a $100 bonus bet for 10 consecutive days. Daily bonus issued within 72 hours.

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First Bet Offer up to $1500

Bonus bets expire in 7 days. One new customer offer per user. Additional terms apply. 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

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Deposit $50 play with $100

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Caesars Sportsbook
$1,000 First Bet on Caesars
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Fanatics Sportsbook
20% Deposit Match up to $1,000
New customers only. Deposit min. $5. Place daily first bet of min. $5 and get up to a $100 bonus bet for 10 consecutive days. Daily bonus issued within 72 hours.
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BetMGM Sportsbook
First Bet Offer up to $1500
Bonus bets expire in 7 days. One new customer offer per user. Additional terms apply. 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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FanDuel Sportsbook
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Ohio Sports Betting Updates

2024:

  • Sept. 8: Cincinnati Bengals significantly impact Survivor pools in Week 1.
  • Sept. 5: Ohio's sports betting revenue sees a 49% year-over-year increase for July.
  • Aug. 30: Betr introduces new features for traditional betting markets beyond micro-betting in Ohio and Virginia.
  • Aug. 22: Bovada exits Ohio amid a nationwide crackdown on unlicensed online gaming.
  • Aug. 1: Ohio joins four other states surpassing $500 million in betting activity for June.
  • July 22: SuperBook Sports exits Ohio and seven other states post-PASPA.
  • July 22: BetFred announces its exit from Ohio, marking its second recent U.S. market exit.
  • July 15: Ohio House Republicans express support for college player prop betting in iGaming.
  • July 4: Ohio's sports betting handle exceeds $600 million for the ninth consecutive month.
  • June 13: Two Ohio men are sentenced for an illegal gambling operation from 2009-2018.
  • June 13: Bernie Kosar sues a podcast company following job loss over sports betting.
  • June 4: Ohio’s lifetime sports betting handle reaches $10 billion, becoming the fastest U.S. market to do so.
  • May 6: Ohio regulators propose a "use it or lose it" amendment for sports betting operators.
  • May 2: Ohio sees a significant increase in handle but lower revenue in March, with $808.1 million in wagers and $63.8 million in revenue.
  • April 3: Ohio reports its lowest sports betting revenue in February since August 2023.
  • March 4: "Ohio for Responsible Gambling" highlights a 20% risk of problem gambling in the state.
  • March 1: Ohio sports betting revenue hits $113 million in January with a $810 million handle.
  • Feb. 26: Covers' Geoff Zochodne discusses Ohio’s college player prop betting ban and its potential impact on other states.
  • Feb. 23: Ohio bans college player prop betting effective March 1, 2024.
  • Feb. 6: Ohio considers banning college player prop betting following NCAA requests due to incidents and athlete harassment.
  • Feb. 1: Ohio’s betting revenue for December reaches an eight-month high with $829.9 million in wagers.
  • Jan. 26: bet365 launches a free-to-play fantasy contest in five states, including Ohio, with a $25,000 prize pool.
  • Dec. 26, 2023: Covers’ Ethan Matthew reviews Ohio's sports betting year in 2023.
  • Dec. 13, 2023: Ohio Casino Control Commission discusses initiatives to combat online harassment of collegiate athletes.
  • Nov. 14, 2023: ESPN BET launches online and mobile sports betting in Ohio and 16 other states.
  • Nov. 2, 2023: ESPN BET plans to launch on Nov. 14, 2023, with online sports betting in 17 U.S. states, including Ohio.
  • Oct. 2, 2023: OCCC reports Ohio’s August sports betting handle at $378.8 million, with DraftKings leading for the second month.
  • Sept. 13, 2023: Prime Sportsbook, Ohio’s newest operator, announces a soft launch, becoming the 20th online betting site in the state.
  • Sept. 5, 2023: OCCC approves betting on the ATP Challenger Tour.
  • Sept. 1, 2023: Ohio’s sports betting handle surpasses $4 billion since January 1 launch.
  • Aug. 30, 2023: Bally Bet goes live in Ohio, increasing the state’s online sportsbook count to 19.
  • Aug. 24, 2023: Fanatics opens a retail sportsbook in Columbus, partnering with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
  • July 31, 2023: OCCC reports a June sports betting handle of $362.1 million, including $348.37 million online and $13.73 million retail.
  • July 25, 2023: Fanatics plans to open a retail sportsbook adjacent to Nationwide Arena in late August.
  • July 5, 2023: Governor Mike DeWine announces a tax increase on Ohio sports betting operators to 20% and the ability to ban abusive bettors.
  • June 30, 2023: Ohio’s sports betting handle declines to $446.2 million in May from $520.6 million in April.
  • June 21, 2023: BetMGM announces relocating its retail sportsbook from Great American Ball Park to The Banks.
  • June 15, 2023: OCCC approves Premier Lacrosse League as a new betting market.
  • June 1, 2023: Ohio sportsbooks accept $520.6 million in total wagers for April.
  • May 26, 2023: University of Cincinnati fires two baseball staffers for gambling violations.
  • May 17, 2023: Ohio regulators crack down on fantasy sports operators offering contests similar to sports betting.
  • May 2, 2023: Ohio prohibits betting on Alabama baseball due to integrity concerns.
  • May 1, 2023: Fanatics launches its 18th mobile sportsbook in Ohio.
  • April 27, 2023: Fanatics Sportsbook app to launch in Ohio with unique codes for existing customers.
  • April 19, 2023: PlayUp withdraws its Ohio sports betting license bid as part of a settlement.
  • April 11, 2023: OCCC approves gift cards as a funding method for Ohio sports betting accounts.
  • March 31, 2023: Ohio’s February sports betting handle drops by 42.6%, ranking fourth nationally.
  • March 19, 2023: Xavier Musketeers advance to the Sweet 16 by defeating the Pittsburgh Panthers.
  • March 15, 2023: OCCC fines BetMGM $150,000 for not including responsible gaming messaging in ads.
  • March 8, 2023: Ohio sees a rise in problem gambling helpline calls during the first month of legal betting.
  • March 3, 2023: World Baseball Classic approved as an eligible sports betting event in Ohio.
  • Feb. 28, 2023: Ohio reports $1.1 billion in sports betting handle for its first month of legal wagering.
  • Feb. 21, 2023: Ohio’s sports betting regulator seeks budget increase due to rising advertising concerns.
  • Feb. 15, 2023: OCCC approves fines for Barstool and DraftKings related to sports betting ads.
  • Feb. 14, 2023: betPARX launches online sports betting in Ohio, becoming the 17th active sportsbook.
  • Feb. 12, 2023: Governor Mike DeWine proposes doubling the sports betting tax rate to 20%.
  • Feb. 8, 2023: Ohio Lottery Commission updates on sports betting kiosks and "cannibalization" of keno.
  • Jan. 25, 2023: Betfred pays out all bets on the Bengals to win Super Bowl 57.
  • Jan. 18, 2023: OCCC approves WynnBET for an Ohio online sports betting license.
  • Jan. 13, 2023: Cincinnati Bengals to play the Baltimore Ravens in an AFC North Wild Card matchup.
  • Jan. 10, 2023: PlayUp's SPAC deal with IG Acquisition Corp. falls through, but PlayUp continues pursuing a license.
  • Jan. 8, 2023: Bernie Kosar is fired for violating NFL betting rules.
  • Jan. 5, 2023: OCCC issues violation notices to BetMGM, Caesars, and DraftKings for advertising issues.
  • Jan. 3, 2023: Ohio lottery sports betting begins a gradual rollout at bars and restaurants.
  • Jan. 2, 2023: Caesars Sportsbook opens its retail sportsbook at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
  • Jan. 1, 2023: Ohio's online sports betting goes live with 16 mobile sportsbooks.

2022:

  • Dec. 30: Tipico announces Bernie Kosar will place the first legal bet in Ohio.
  • Dec. 29: New Ohio sports betting problem gambling campaigns are unveiled.
  • Dec. 28: Retail sports betting operators in Ohio prepare for the January 1 launch.
  • Dec. 26: SuperBook Sports announces its launch in Ohio on January 1, 2023.
  • Dec. 23: OCCC issues an email warning about sports betting advertising.
  • Dec. 22: Cincinnati Reds announce BetMGM Sportsbook at Great American Ball Park will open at 11:00 a.m. on January 1, 2023.
  • Dec. 21: PlayUp faces scrutiny over its Ohio sports betting ambitions.
  • Dec. 20: Betr announces its participation in the January 1 launch after receiving Ohio licensing.
  • Dec. 19: Legal Ohio online sports betting is imminent.
  • Dec. 15: FansUnite obtains a sports gaming supplier license in Ohio.
  • Dec. 14: Bally Bet, Betway, Out the Gate, and Underdog are approved as Ohio online sports betting operators.
  • Dec. 13: OCCC considers four mobile management services provider licenses.
  • Dec. 12: OCCC Chair June Taylor comments on potential delays for smaller sportsbook operators.

Is sports betting legal in Ohio?

Yes, sports betting is legal in Ohio. Governor Mike DeWine signed HB 29 into law on December 22, 2021, permitting both online and retail sports wagering in the state. The market officially launched on January 1, 2023, with sixteen online sportsbooks. Although brands like Tipico and Betway have exited, Ohio currently offers access to 16 legal betting sites.

Who can partake in Ohio sports betting?

Anyone over 21 can place a legal sports wager in Ohio in 2024. Sports betting is convenient and accessible in the Buckeye State, with retail sportsbooks located in major cities and online Ohio sportsbooks just a click or tap away.

Here's everything you'll need to know before placing your first sports bets.

Legal Age Icon

Minimum Age

Ohio sports betting is available to adults 21 and over.

Mobile Betting Icon

Mobile Betting

Mobile sports betting is now legal in Ohio. With 25 Type-A licenses available and licensees permitted to partner with two online sportsbook operators each, Ohio bettors could soon have more options than any other U.S. state. There are currently 16 Ohio sports betting sites legally accepting wagers.

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Remote Registration

Remote registration gives Ohio sports bettors the freedom to register, add funds to their account via the deposit method of their choosing, and place bets with legal Ohio sports betting sites from anywhere in the state.

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In-State Betting

In Ohio, you may only place wagers when physically located in the state. When betting online, you’ll have to confirm you have both feet on the ground by enabling location services on your mobile device.

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Retail Sportsbooks

Legal Ohio sports betting includes wagering at brick-and-mortar retail sportsbooks. HB 29 calls for 40 retail sports betting licenses (Type-B licenses) to be handed out to casinos, racinos, and professional sports venues. There are currently 13 retail locations accepting sports bets in Ohio.

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Taxable Winnings

All gambling winnings are taxed at both the federal and state level in Ohio, and sports bet winnings are no different. Expect to pay a withholding tax of 25% of all winnings when you provide your SSN. This amount may increase to 28% if you do not provide this information. Additionally, a state tax of 4% will be docked from your winnings.

The pros and cons of Ohio sports betting

Legal Ohio sports betting is underway, and the midwest market stands out as one of the more promising in the nation. With up to 25 online sportsbooks and 40 retail locations, Buckeye State bettors could soon have more legal betting options than residents of any other U.S. state.

  • checkFully mobile wagering
  • checkClaim thousands in bonus bets
  • checkIn-state college sports betting permitted
  • crossOhioans have gone years without legal options
  • crossUniversal go-live date makes it more challenging to maximize bonuses

How to start betting in Ohio

Ohioans can place their first bets remotely or physically. Ohio's online sports betting sites accept wagers via mobile devices or desktop computers, while retail OH sportsbooks are great options for those looking to bet in person.

1

Select a sportsbook

Before beginning the registration process with a sportsbook, players should check out some betting site reviews and look over the bonuses offered by each provider. Line shopping at multiple Ohio sportsbooks is recommended as well. Finding the most favorable betting lines will ensure you maximize the return on your hard-earned cash.

2

Register online

Ohio sports bettors have the option to sign up with a sportsbook from the comfort of their own homes (or anywhere else in the state). The registration process can be completed by entering personal information and verifying your identity with a driver’s license or SSN.

3

Claim a bonus

Online sportsbooks regularly entice players with promotions and bonuses. Ohio betting sites offer the most common sportsbook sign-up bonuses, including second chance or bonus bets, no-deposit bonuses, and deposit matches.

4

Deposit funds

Once you’ve chosen your preferred Ohio sportsbooks and claimed your bonus offers, you can add some funds to your account. Use the best sportsbook deposit and withdrawal methods, such as PayPal, credit/debit cards, and bank transfers. Be sure to review the transaction fees associated with some of these payment methods and always check your bank’s terms and conditions before making a deposit.

5

Choose your bet types

All of the popular bet types are available to Ohio sports bettors. These include moneylines, Over/Unders (totals), point spreads, parlays, teasers, futures, and live bets.

6

Start betting

It’s important to shop around before placing your first Ohio sports bets. Not all Ohio sportsbooks will offer players the same betting lines, so take your time to identify the most favorable betting opportunities available.

7

Withdraw funds

Check out the terms and conditions associated with fund withdrawals from your chosen Ohio sports betting sites. These transactions could be immediate or take one to two days to process, depending on the withdrawal method chosen. Fees may also be attached to the transaction.

Reading the odds

Ohio betting sites use American odds as the default option to show you betting odds. Look for a minus sign (-) to spot favorites. The number that follows will tell you the amount you’ll have to wager to walk away with $100 in winnings. For example, if the Ohio State Buckeyes have -180 odds, you must risk $180 to win $100.

Underdogs are accompanied by a plus sign (+). The number here represents the amount you’ll win when betting $100. For example, if the Cincinnati Reds have +110 odds, this indicates a bet of $100 would net you $110 if the underdog comes out on top.

If you’d like to view odds as fractions or decimals, check out our odds converter.

What you can't bet on in Ohio

Ohio bettors have access to a wide range of markets to wager on, but the options will differ depending on the sportsbooks you choose. However, some wagers are prohibited, such as bets on amateur athletes under the age of 18.

Here are some other notable exceptions:

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NFL Draft

The Ohio Casino Control Commission allows you to legally bet on the 2024 NFL Draft. Refer to our NFL Draft odds to stay updated on the latest buzz and team trends.

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esports

It is legal to bet on esports in Ohio, meaning you can access the best esports betting sites in 2024.

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Entertainment awards ceremonies

Betting on entertainment awards like the Oscars is not permitted in Ohio. However, you can bet on sports-related awards, such as the NFL MVP.

Other types of gambling

The Buckeye State is relatively new to the world of gambling. The first casino opened in 2012, and pari-mutuel horse race betting is available. As for slots and card players, Ohio online casino legislation is still pending.

🎰Casino

There are four casinos and seven racinos in Ohio. The state’s casinos have been strategically placed in its four major cities — Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Toledo. Each casino offers a full lineup of games, including slots, blackjack, roulette, craps, and baccarat. Ohio’s racinos have been limited to VLT (video lottery terminals) only.

🏇Horse racing

Horse racing enthusiasts can take in live races year-round at one of Ohio’s seven racinos. Ohio bettors are also free to place bets online with Caesars Racebook, TVG, TwinSpires, or BetAmerica — the best horse racing betting sites in the U.S.

🃏Poker

Thirty-three poker rooms can be found in Ohio’s four major cities. Online poker, however, is illegal in the Buckeye State. Global Poker, which follows a sweepstakes model, remains the only legal online poker option in Ohio.