Ohio
Sports Betting
10 licensed online operators, live since Jan 2023. Operator tax 20%. Read on for legal status, current operators, and how to bet here.
Our dedicated Ohio site has deeper coverage: full operator reviews, complete timeline, every sportsbook bonus, and state-specific FAQs.
Visit bettinginoh.com →Sports betting in Ohio
Ohio launched sports betting in January 2023 with 8 operators and has since grown to 10 active online sportsbooks (DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, Fanatics, bet365, theScore Bet, BetRivers, Hard Rock Bet, Bally Bet). Governor DeWine doubled the tax rate from 10% to 20% just 6 months after launch.
Legal Status
Sports betting is fully legal in Ohio, including both retail and online/mobile wagering. The market is regulated by the Ohio Casino Control Commission. The minimum age to bet is 21, and bettors must be physically located within Ohio state lines to place a wager; residency is not required.
Tax and Regulation
Ohio taxes sports betting operators at 20% of adjusted gross revenue. The state has 10 licensed sportsbook operators serving the market. The first sportsbooks launched in Jan 2023.
How to Start Betting in Ohio
To place a legal sports bet in Ohio, you must (1) be at least 21 years old, (2) be physically located within the state (verified by geolocation), and (3) create an account with a licensed operator. Most major sportsbooks including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars are available in most legal states. Check the operator list specific to Ohio for the most current options.
Sportsbooks Available in Ohio
The following 8 sportsbooks are currently licensed and active in Ohio. All operators are regulated by the Ohio Casino Control Commission.
FanDuel
Cleveland Browns partner
Welcome offerGet $300 Back in Bonus Bets, 10 Days of No-Sweat Bets
National · 26 states→DraftKings
Cleveland Cavaliers partner
Welcome offerBet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets + NCAA Tournament Profit Boost
National · 30 states→bet365
International markets
Welcome offerBet $10, Get $365 in Bonus Bets (Win or Lose)
National · 18 states→BetMGM
MGM Northfield Park partner
Welcome offerFirst Bet Offer Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets
National · 26 states→Caesars
Jack Cleveland Casino partner
Welcome offerBet $1, Double Your Winnings Next 10 Bets (up to $25 per token)
National · 26 states→Hard Rock Bet
Unity rewards
Welcome offerDouble Your Winnings on Your First 10 Bets
National · 10 states→Fanatics
FanCash rewards
Welcome offerBet $5, Get $200 in FanCash Instantly (or up to $1,000 matched)
National · 21 states→theScore Bet
PENN Entertainment
Welcome offerBet $10, Get $250 in Bonus Bets Instantly
National · 19 states→Operator comparison · Ohio · sorted by editorial rating
| # | Operator | Rating | Welcome Bonus | Ohio note | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FanDuel Flutter Entertainment plc (NYSE: FLUT) | Get $300 Back in Bonus Bets, 10 Days of No-Sweat Bets | Cleveland Browns partner | Read review → | |
| 2 | DraftKings DraftKings Inc. (NASDAQ: DKNG) | Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets + NCAA Tournament Profit Boost | Cleveland Cavaliers partner | Read review → | |
| 3 | bet365 Hillside (Gaming) ENC (private) | Bet $10, Get $365 in Bonus Bets (Win or Lose) | International markets | Read review → | |
| 4 | BetMGM MGM Resorts International & Entain plc (50/50 JV) | First Bet Offer Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets | MGM Northfield Park partner | Read review → | |
| 5 | Caesars Caesars Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: CZR) | Bet $1, Double Your Winnings Next 10 Bets (up to $25 per token) | Jack Cleveland Casino partner | Read review → | |
| 6 | Hard Rock Bet Seminole Hard Rock Digital (Seminole Tribe of Florida) | Double Your Winnings on Your First 10 Bets | Unity rewards | Read review → | |
| 7 | Fanatics Fanatics Betting & Gaming | Bet $5, Get $200 in FanCash Instantly (or up to $1,000 matched) | FanCash rewards | Read review → | |
| 8 | theScore Bet PENN Entertainment (NASDAQ: PENN) | Bet $10, Get $250 in Bonus Bets Instantly | PENN Entertainment | Read review → |
All operators above are licensed by the Ohio Casino Control Commission and accept bets only from inside Ohio state lines (verified by geolocation). Tax rate: 20%. Minimum age: 21. See where Ohio's sports betting tax revenue actually goes →
Ohio Operator Comparison · Who Wins What
Five decision axes across the top 5 licensed operators in Ohio. We compute the winner per axis from operator metadata (rating, bonus dollar amount, app store rating, payout speed, payment-method count). Use this as a shortcut when you want one operator for one specific reason.
- Editor's pick Best overall ratingFanDuelRating 4.8 / 5
- Biggest bonus Highest headline dollar valueBetMGM$1,500
- Best mobile app Combined iOS + Android ratingFanDueliOS 4.8 · Android 4.7
- Fastest payout Quickest verified withdrawal pathFanDuelPayPal (under 1 hour)
- Most payment methods Widest deposit / withdrawal rangeFanDuel9 methods
Bottom line for Ohio: FanDuel is our top pick at 4.8 / 5. Polished mobile app and the SGP+ builder, which lets bettors create same-game parlays faster and with better correlation pricing than at competitors. Different bettor profiles may prefer the category-specific winners above (sharp parlay players favor the SGP+ leader; small-stake casuals usually do better with whichever operator carries the lowest rollover requirement).
Need help? You're not alone
Sports betting in Ohio is for adults 21+. If gambling stops being fun, or you're worried about someone else, these Ohio-relevant resources are free, confidential, and available 24/7.
Helplines
- 1-800-426-2537 1-800-GAMBLER (National Problem Gambling Helpline) Text "HELPLINE" to 800GAM (800426) ncpg.org ↗
- 1-800-589-9966 Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline Text 4HOPE to 741741 problemgambling.ohio.gov ↗
Warning signs include: chasing losses, betting more than you can afford, hiding bets from family, or feeling anxious when not betting. Self-exclusion programs are available through every licensed Ohio operator and through the Ohio Casino Control Commission.
Pro teams based in Ohio
Ohio is home to 6 major professional teams across the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL. Click any team for a dedicated betting guide.
How to bet on sports in Ohio
A step-by-step walkthrough for placing your first legal sports bet in Ohio.
- 01
Choose a licensed sportsbook
Ohio has 8 licensed online sportsbooks, with FanDuel the largest national operator. National books like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars use a single account that works across all legal states.
- 02
Verify you are 21+ and a US resident
Sign up online with your legal name, date of birth, address, and last four of your SSN. Operators verify your identity through a soft credit check; this does not affect your credit score.
- 03
Confirm your location is inside the state
Operators use device geolocation to confirm you are physically inside Ohio at the moment of betting. Residency is not required; visitors can bet here. You cannot bet from outside the state, even if your account is registered to a Ohio address.
- 04
Fund your account
Most operators accept ACH bank transfer, debit card, credit card, PayPal, Venmo, online banking, and pay-by-app methods like Apple Pay. Deposits typically clear instantly.
- 05
Place your first bet
Pick a market (moneyline, spread, total, or prop), set your stake, and review the bet slip before submitting. Most operators show your potential payout inline before you confirm.
Ohio Sports Betting Timeline
Key milestones in the Ohio legal sports betting market, from the federal PASPA ruling through launch and ongoing regulatory changes.
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PASPA struck down
Supreme Court ruling in Murphy v. NCAA returned sports betting authority to the states.
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Ohio launches sports betting
Market goes live under Ohio Casino Control Commission.
-
Ohio launches sports betting on January 1, 2023
Ohio launched on New Year's Day 2023 with 8 operators at a 10% tax rate. Massive opening weekend coincided with NFL playoffs.
-
Ohio governor doubles sports betting tax to 20%
Just six months after Ohio launched in January 2023, Governor DeWine doubled the operator tax from 10% to 20% in the state budget bill.
Ohio Sports Betting FAQ
Is online sports betting legal in Ohio?
Yes, online sports betting is fully legal in Ohio. The market launched in Jan 2023 and is regulated by the Ohio Casino Control Commission. 10 licensed operators currently serve the state.
What is the minimum age to bet on sports in Ohio?
You must be at least 21 years old to place a legal sports bet in Ohio. Operators verify age via SSN and ID checks during account registration.
Which sportsbooks are available in Ohio?
Ohio has 8 licensed online operators including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, Fanatics, and 3 more.
What is the sports betting tax rate in Ohio?
Ohio taxes sports betting operators at 20% of adjusted gross revenue. This is paid by the operator, not the bettor, but it does affect promo offers and pricing competitiveness.
Do I have to live in Ohio to bet there?
No, residency is not required. You only need to be physically located inside Ohio state lines when placing the bet; the sportsbook verifies your location via geolocation. Visitors from other states can bet in Ohio.
Can I bet on college sports in Ohio?
Yes, Ohio allows betting on college sports including in-state college teams.
Full Ohio sports betting guide
This page gives you the essentials. If you want the complete picture (detailed sportsbook reviews, promo codes, market data, timeline, FAQs specific to Ohio, and more), visit our dedicated Ohio site at bettinginoh.com. It's built specifically for bettors in Ohio with all the local details we couldn't fit here.
Visit bettinginoh.com →Other legal US states
Explore sports betting guides for other US states where wagering is fully legal.