Sports betting in Ohio launched on January 1, 2023, and the Buckeye State has since established itself as one of the premier sports betting markets in the United States. With a large and passionate sports fan base supporting the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Guardians, Cincinnati Bengals, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Cavaliers, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Columbus Crew — plus major college football programs — Ohio generates massive betting volume year-round. In 2025, Ohio bettors wagered over $10.2 billion and generated more than $1 billion in taxable revenue, with tax receipts exceeding $210 million for the state. More than 13 mobile sportsbooks are currently active, alongside retail sportsbooks at casinos and racinos across the state, making Ohio one of the most accessible betting markets in the country.
Quick Facts: Sports Betting in Ohio
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Legal Status | Legal (online/mobile and retail) |
| Launch Date | January 1, 2023 |
| Authorizing Legislation | HB 29, signed December 22, 2021 |
| Legal Betting Age | 21+ |
| Operator Tax Rate | 20% on taxable gross revenue (proposed increase to 40% pending) |
| Regulator | Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) |
| 2025 Annual Handle | $10.2+ billion |
| 2025 Gross Revenue | $1.05 billion |
| Active Online Sportsbooks | 13+ (FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, bet365, Fanatics, BetRivers, Hard Rock Bet, theScore Bet, and more) |
| In-State College Betting | Yes (including Ohio State) |
Top Sportsbooks in Ohio
Online Sportsbooks Available in Ohio
Ohio allows up to 25 Type A (online) sportsbook licenses. As of 2026, more than 13 operators are active and accepting wagers. Here are the top platforms available to Ohio bettors:
FanDuel Sportsbook
- Partnered with Belterra Park Gaming for Ohio market access
- #1 online sportsbook nationally by market share; top-rated iOS and Android app
- Consistently leads Ohio in monthly operator revenue alongside DraftKings
- App Store rating: 4.9/5
DraftKings Sportsbook
- Partnered with Hollywood Casino Toledo
- Controls approximately 33% of Ohio’s online market share alongside FanDuel
- Innovative pools, live betting, and a polished mobile interface
- App Store rating: 4.8/5
BetMGM Sportsbook
- Partnered with MGM Northfield Park; also operates a retail sportsbook at Great American Ball Park (Cincinnati Reds)
- Deep betting menu, Edit My Bet feature, and MGM Rewards integration
- App Store rating: 4.8/5
Caesars Sportsbook
- Partnered with Scioto Downs Racino; also has a retail partnership with the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
- Caesars Rewards loyalty program; competitive NFL, NBA, and college sports markets
- App Store rating: 4.7/5
bet365 Sportsbook
- Partnered with the Cleveland Guardians
- Industry-leading live streaming, cash-out options, and in-game betting
- Particularly strong for European sports and tennis
- App Store rating: 4.7/5
Fanatics Sportsbook
- Retail and mobile partner for the Columbus Blue Jackets and Cleveland Guardians
- FanCash Rewards redeemable for merchandise and bonus bets; growing market presence
- App Store rating: 4.8/5
BetRivers Sportsbook
- Partnered with Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway
- Known for its iRush Rewards loyalty program and a solid selection of markets
Hard Rock Bet
- Partnered with Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati; also operates a retail sportsbook at the casino
- Full-service betting lounge with 150+ TVs and 33 kiosks at the Cincinnati location
Retail Sportsbooks in Ohio
Ohio’s retail sportsbook network includes four full casinos and seven racinos across the state. Thirteen retail sportsbook locations offer in-person wagering with betting windows, kiosks, and TV lounges. Below are the primary retail locations:
| Facility | City | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| Hollywood Casino Columbus | Columbus | theScore Bet (PENN Entertainment) |
| Hollywood Casino Toledo | Toledo | DraftKings / PENN Entertainment |
| Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati | Cincinnati | Hard Rock Bet |
| JACK Casino Cleveland | Cleveland | betJACK |
| MGM Northfield Park | Northfield | BetMGM |
| Belterra Park Gaming & Entertainment Center | Cincinnati | FanDuel |
| Scioto Downs Racino | Columbus | Caesars Sportsbook |
| Great American Ball Park (Machine Room) | Cincinnati | BetMGM (Cincinnati Reds partnership) |
| Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse | Cleveland | Caesars Sportsbook (Cleveland Cavaliers partnership) |
| Miami Valley Gaming | Lebanon | MVGBet |
| Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway | Dayton | theScore Bet (BetRivers retail) |
History of Sports Betting in Ohio
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2018 | PASPA overturned; Ohio begins exploring sports betting legislation for the first time |
| December 22, 2021 | Governor Mike DeWine signs HB 29 into law, legalizing both online and retail sports betting in Ohio with a 10% operator tax rate |
| January 1, 2023 | Ohio sports betting officially launches; 16 online sportsbooks and more than a dozen retail locations go live simultaneously on New Year’s Day |
| January 2023 | Ohio sets a record $1.114 billion handle and $209 million in gross revenue in its first month — one of the biggest launch months in US history |
| July 2023 | Governor DeWine doubles the operator tax rate from 10% to 20% as part of the state budget |
| 2024 | Ohio generates $8.9 billion in annual handle and $905 million in gross revenue; FanDuel and DraftKings together hold roughly 66% of the market |
| 2025 | Ohio surpasses $10 billion in annual handle for the first time; gross revenue exceeds $1 billion for the year |
| February 2025 | Governor DeWine proposes raising the sports betting tax rate from 20% to 40% to fund new stadium construction for the Browns and Bengals |
| 2025 | Ohio Legislature debates a tiered tax structure of 20%–40% based on operator revenue; bill passes with sliding scale rather than flat 40% rate |
| January 2026 | Ohio sportsbooks post $918 million in January handle and $102 million in gross revenue to open 2026 strong |
Sports Betting Laws and Regulations in Ohio
Ohio’s sports betting law, House Bill 29, was signed by Governor Mike DeWine on December 22, 2021, and took effect when betting launched on January 1, 2023. The law created one of the most expansive licensing frameworks in the United States, allowing up to 25 Type A online licenses (each permitting two operator skins), up to 40 Type B retail licenses (allocated by county population), and Type C kiosk licenses for bars, restaurants, and lottery retailers.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) serves as the primary regulator, overseeing licensing, compliance, advertising standards, and enforcement. The Ohio Lottery Commission administers the Type C kiosk program in partnership with the OCCC. The OCCC publishes monthly sports wagering reports detailing handle, revenue, and tax receipts across all channels.
Ohio adopted a broad-access model that integrates professional sports franchises, casinos, racinos, and standalone mobile operators. Each professional sports team in Ohio — the Browns, Bengals, Cavaliers, Guardians, Blue Jackets, Reds, Crew, plus the PGA Tour and Pro Football Hall of Fame — was granted Type A license access, allowing them to partner with up to two online operators.
The legal betting age in Ohio is 21. Betting on college sports, including in-state programs like Ohio State, is permitted. Wagering on politics, entertainment events, or amateur athletes under 18 is prohibited.
Taxes on Sports Betting Winnings in Ohio
Ohio currently taxes sportsbook operators at 20% on taxable gross gaming revenue. The initial rate was 10% when betting launched in 2023, but was doubled to 20% by Governor DeWine’s 2023 budget. In early 2025, DeWine proposed raising the rate again to 40% to fund stadium construction projects for the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals. The state Legislature debated this proposal extensively and ultimately passed a tiered tax structure ranging from 20% to 40% based on operator revenue levels.
From a bettor’s perspective, all sports betting winnings in Ohio are treated as ordinary income for both federal and state tax purposes. Ohio has a flat state income tax rate, and gambling winnings are taxable alongside all other income. Sportsbooks issue W-2G forms for qualifying large wins, and 24% federal withholding applies to wins over $5,000. Ohio bettors can deduct gambling losses against winnings if they itemize deductions on their federal return.
Since launch, Ohio sports betting has generated over $314 million in total tax revenue, with 98% of funds directed to education and 2% toward problem gambling treatment. The initial projection of $35 million annually was dramatically exceeded once the market fully launched.
Latest News on Sports Betting in Ohio
| Date | News |
|---|---|
| February 2026 | Ohio sportsbooks post $138.3 million in December 2025 revenue — up nearly 150% year-over-year and the second-highest monthly total in state history |
| January 2026 | Ohio sportsbooks generate $918 million in January handle and $102 million in gross revenue to begin 2026 |
| January 2026 | Ohio surpasses $10 billion in annual sports betting handle for 2025 — a new state record |
| December 2025 | theScore Bet officially launches in Ohio after PENN terminates ESPN partnership and rebrands the sportsbook app |
| November 2025 | Ohio sportsbooks handle $1.15 billion in November — the highest monthly total in state history at that point |
| July 2025 | Governor DeWine’s proposal to raise sports betting taxes from 20% to 40% advances in the Ohio Legislature; tiered structure ultimately passes |
| February 2025 | DeWine officially proposes doubling the sports betting tax rate to 40% to help fund a new Cleveland Browns stadium and Bengals stadium renovation |
| January 2025 | Ohio sportsbooks record their highest-ever January handle in 2025 at $1.01 billion |
FAQs About Sports Betting in Ohio
Is sports betting legal in Ohio?
Yes, sports betting is fully legal in Ohio. Both online/mobile and retail wagering launched simultaneously on January 1, 2023, following the signing of HB 29 in December 2021. Ohio has quickly grown into one of the top five US sports betting markets by handle and revenue.
What sportsbooks are available in Ohio?
More than 13 mobile sportsbooks are currently licensed and active in Ohio, including FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, bet365, Fanatics, BetRivers, Hard Rock Bet, theScore Bet, betJACK, and more. Ohio also has 13+ retail sportsbook locations at casinos, racinos, and professional sports venues.
What is the sports betting tax rate in Ohio?
Ohio currently taxes sportsbook operators at 20% on taxable gross gaming revenue, up from the original 10% rate. Governor DeWine proposed raising the rate to 40% in 2025, and the Legislature passed a tiered 20%–40% structure based on revenue thresholds. Individual bettor winnings are taxed as ordinary income under federal and Ohio state tax law.
Can I bet on Ohio State games in Ohio?
Yes. Ohio permits betting on in-state college teams, including Ohio State Buckeyes football and basketball, as well as other Ohio-based programs like Cincinnati, Toledo, Bowling Green, and others. There are no restrictions on in-state college wagering in Ohio.
What is the legal betting age in Ohio?
You must be at least 21 years old to place a legal sports bet in Ohio, whether through a mobile app or at a retail sportsbook location.
Are there retail sportsbooks in Ohio?
Yes. Ohio has more than 13 retail sportsbook locations, including at Hollywood Casino Columbus, Hollywood Casino Toledo, Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati, JACK Casino Cleveland, MGM Northfield Park, Belterra Park, Scioto Downs, and professional sports venues like Great American Ball Park and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Can I use betting kiosks in Ohio?
Yes. Ohio has a Type C kiosk license system that allows wagering terminals at bars, restaurants, and grocery stores with proper liquor licenses and lottery retailer certification. Hundreds of kiosks operate across the state, though availability has fluctuated as service providers have changed.
Responsible Gambling in Ohio
All licensed Ohio sportsbooks are required to provide responsible gambling tools under OCCC regulations, including deposit limits, time-out periods, self-exclusion options, and reality check notifications. Ohio also funds problem gambling treatment through the 2% share of operator tax revenue directed to the Ohio Lottery Commission’s problem gambling program.
If you or someone you know needs support, help is available 24/7. Contact the Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-589-9966 or text “4HOPE” to 741741. The National Problem Gambling Helpline is also available at 1-800-522-4700. Visit problemgambling.gov for additional resources. Set a budget, bet within your limits, and remember that sports betting should always be a form of entertainment — not a financial strategy.
