Ohioans, mark your calendars: Jan. 1, 2023, is the day that sports betting will officially be launched in the state! This is huge news, as Ohio is on track to have the most stadiums with a sportsbook.
That’s right – you’ll be able to place bets on your favorite teams right at their home stadiums! There are some great things about this development, including the fact that there will be retail sports betting locations at Professional Teams’ respective stadiums.
This means that you won’t have to go far to get in on all of the action. Keep an eye on this page for updates as we get closer to the launch date!
Betting on Ohio Stadiums
Ohioans will finally be able to place bets on numerous sporting events through mobile sportsbooks, kiosks, and retail locations. The state has been gearing up for this momentous event, with preparations including the licensing of venues and the awarding of sports betting licenses.
One of the interesting features of this market is the presence of sportsbooks within the sporting events’ premises. Seven out of the eight professional sports stadiums across the Buckeye state are expected to have sports wagering facilities, making Ohio the state with the most stadium-based sportsbooks in the country.
Here’s a quick look:
| Professional Team | Ohio Stadium | Sportsbook |
| Cleveland Browns | FirstEnergy Stadium | Bally’s Interactive |
| Cincinnati Reds | Great American Ball Park | BetMGM |
| Cleveland Guardians | Progressive Field | BetFanatics |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse | Caesars |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | *Nationwide Arena | Bet Fanatics |
| Columbus Crew | Tipico Beer Garden and Tipico Club | Tipico |
| FC Cincinnati | TBA | SuperBook Sports |
*Sportsbook facility will have a separate entrance
Cincinnati Bengals of the NFL was the only Ohio team that does to not apply for Type B sports betting license as the League does not allow sports gambling inside the stadium.
Washington D.C. also has a sportsbook on three stadiums, namely, Capital One Arena, Nationals Park, and Audi Field. Meanwhile, Arizona currently has a couple of stadiums with a sportsbook – Chase Field and Footprint Center, and another retail sportsbook will open at State Farm Stadium.
Benefits of Sports Betting Market for Ohio Teams
In an interview, Brandt Iden, Head of Government Affairs, U.S. Sportradar, discussed how the upcoming sports wagering industry could help professional teams:
“Professional teams integrating retail sports books into their facilities provides franchises an additional avenue to further enhance fan engagement, as well as offers an opportunity to drive revenue to their facilities on non-traditional use days, such as game days, concerts, and special events.”
As we look across the country in places like D.C., Arizona, and soon Illinois and Ohio, this is a model that I believe will only continue to enhance fan engagement,” Iden added.
The sports betting industry is only growing larger by the day, with more and more people looking to get in on the action. And while there are plenty of benefits for individuals who take part in sports betting, there are also plenty of advantages for professional teams as well.
By getting involved in sports betting, teams can increase their brand awareness, engage with fans in new and exciting ways, and create new marketing mediums. In a competitive industry, any edge that a team can get is critical.
And with the vast potential of the sports betting industry, it’s an avenue that more and more teams are beginning to explore. With so much potential growth and so many benefits on offer, it’s an opportunity that shouldn’t be ignored.
