Sports Betting Finally Launches in Ohio
Author:
Megan Butler
At long last: legal sports betting has finally launched in the US state of Ohio, with several brands going live on January 1st, 2023. Ohio agreed on the launch date following a conference between both houses of its legislature. Among the operators going live in the state on launch day were market leaders such as FanDuel, BetMGM and DraftKings.
History in the making: legal sports betting has finally launched in the US state of Ohio, with several brands going live on the state-wide launch date of January 1st, 2023. ?12019/Pixabay
Ohio is Seventh-Most Populous US State; Presents a Major Untapped Market
Ohio sports betting fans rejoice: legal sports betting has launched in the major midwestern state of Ohio, with a slew of major sports betting and casino brands already going live on the agreed upon launch date of January 1st, 2023.
The state of Ohio, also known as the Buckeye State, agreed upon the date of January 1st, 2023 as a launch date for sports betting as a result of a bill agreed on during a conference between both houses of its legislature.
As is perhaps somewhat unsurprising, there are many operators going live in the state on launch day, many of which are prominent national market leaders in the sports betting realm, including the likes of FanDuel, BetMGM and DraftKings, as well as European businesses Bet365 and Tipico and startups Betr and Prophet. Ohio stands as a major market opportunity for operators and suppliers to perform particularly well in, standing as the seventh-most populous US state, with 11.8 million residents.
Major Sports Betting Operators Celebrate Ohio Launch
One of the largest operators launching in the state of Ohio in time for the kickoff of legalized sports betting is BetMGM, whose renowned CEO Adam Greenblatt celebrated the occasion of the market’s launch day, once again driving home just how many sports fans in Ohio will now be able to enjoy sports betting:
“Today marks a monumental day of growth for both BetMGM and the sports betting industry. Ohio is home to thousands of passionate sports fans, who now have the opportunity to enjoy first-hand the excitement and benefits of wagering with BetMGM.”– Adam Greenblatt, Chief Executive Officer, BetMGM, Press Release
Meanwhile, in another corner, sports betting champion DraftKings is also active in the state, with co-founder Matt Kalish remarking how Ohio residents are especially passionate about sports, as well as how the launch arrived just in time for the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship and the NFL playoffs.
BetMGM Donated Money to Fund Gambling Harm Research in December 2022
Speaking of BetMGM, the established casino and sportsbook provider announced just recently in December 2022 that it was pledging $180,000 to help support the International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG) and its ongoing research initiatives and educational programs.
BetMGM is specifically interested in funding studies focusing on responsible gambling and the effect advertising has on problem gambling. The center also boasts educational initiatives designed to raise awareness of the issue of harmful gambling across the United States.
Richard Taylor, who is the retail and sportsbook gambling operator’s senior manager of responsible gaming, marked the occasion of BetMGM making a generous donation to the International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG) by underscoring the relevance of research into responsible gambling tactics:
“Investment into research around responsible gaming is key to our continued education and commitment to providing best-in-class experiences and programs, as well as to ensuring a sustainable industry. This ground-breaking research will not only provide valuable learnings to BetMGM but will also serve as a guide for the industry and key stakeholders.”– Richard Taylor, Senior Manager of Responsible Gaming, BetMGM, Press Release
FansUnite Also Granted Ohio Supplier License in December 2022
Among the already many gambling suppliers currently active in Ohio is FansUnite, which was successfully granted its gaming supplier license also in December 2022. The operator is currently listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and will furnish its offerings in the Ohio market via its micro-betting sports brand Betr.
The operator won its license in Ohio courtesy of the Ohio Casino Control Commission. FansUnite also holds a gaming related supplier manufacturer license in the province of Ontario thanks to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
Scott Burton, chief executive of FansUnite, greatly welcomed its entrance into the Ohio market, seeing much promise in the market for the sports betting operator:
“This license represents a major milestone for not only our US licensing strategy and B2B business, but also our overall North American expansion plan. The state of Ohio is the latest jurisdiction to legalize sports betting and as a major sports hub, we expect it to generate significant gaming revenues for our B2B clients and our live activation team at Betting Hero. This license will enable us to gain an early-mover advantage in a new market. Furthermore, as we secure more client contracts for our B2B solutions and/or affiliate operations, we intend to gain access to new betting jurisdictions where our customers operate; additional state license applications are underway.”
