5 Sportsbook Operators Approved by Ohio Casino Control Commission

With Ohio sports betting set to go live Jan. 1, the Ohio Casino Control Commission announced the approval of the first wave of sports gaming operators in the Buckeye State on Wednesday.

In total, 25 mobile sportsbook operators were approved for sports gaming provider licenses.

The licenses were awarded to five different sportsbooks that can launch in Ohio on Jan. 1, 2023. They are:

• SuperBook Sports
• Caesars Sportsbook
• bet365 Ohio
• Betfred
• PointsBet Ohio.

Caesars Sportsbook and SuperBook Sports also gained approval for a retail sports betting provider license.

Approved Sportsbooks Have Ohio Partners

Each of the five approved sportsbooks has partnered with an Ohio professional sports franchise and will operate Ohio mobile betting apps as approved by the Ohio Casino Control Commission in September. 

BetOhio.com reported that FC Cincinnati (MLS) is partnered with SuperBook Sports, the Cincinnati Bengals are partnering with Betfred and the Cleveland Guardians with bet365.

Expect to see Caesars Sportsbook Ohio promo codes as they are partnered with Scioto Downs in Columbus. PointsBet has partnered with Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley in Youngstown. 

BetOhio.com reported earlier this week that 15 sports betting providers signed up for pre-registration of new mobile customers, which began last Saturday. New customers can now sign up for accounts and make early deposits.

More from Commission Meeting

The Ohio Casino Control Commission also approved another 37 Type-C licenses, giving the state nearly 850 hosts for sports betting kiosks that will be located inside Ohio restaurants, gas stations, bars and grocery stores. So far, more than 40 Kroger grocery stores have been approved (there are nearly 200 Krogers in Ohio). 

There was some animosity during Wednesday’s meeting, with Matt Schuler, executive director of the Ohio Casino Control Commission, saying his staff has been bombarded with questions from operators ahead of Wednesday’s deadline and when they will be on the licensing agenda. 

“My advice to the licensing division: Every time an applicant calls with a ‘when are we going to be on the agenda’ question, to move them to the bottom of the pile,” Schuler said. 

While Schuler’s words were strong, the Ohio Casino Control Commission should probably expect more calls of concern with more deadlines on the horizon.

The Ohio Casino Control Commission must receive “complete, final, and Commission-approved versions of responsible gaming plans, required procedures, house rules, facility plans, geolocation procedures, and equipment test reports” by Nov. 2 for businesses going live on New Year’s Day.

All standard sports gaming employee applications have the same deadline, per the Ohio Casino Control Commission. 

Make sure to keep checking BetOhio.com for updates as the states prepares for New Year's Day, as well as for the best Ohio sportsbook promo codes.