The Cincinnati Bengals are making a play for Ohio online sports betting. As the latest week of license applications drew to a close, the Bengals were the only new applicant for a Type-A sports gaming license in the state.
The Bengals join the Pro Football Hall of Fame and JACK Cleveland Casino and JACK Thistledown Racino in applying for Ohio licenses. There were no new applications for Type-B licenses. Unlike the two JACK properties and the Hall of Fame, the Bengals did not apply for a Type-B license, which are for brick-and-mortar sportsbooks, so a Bengals partnership announcement should be forthcoming.
The Washington Football Team was the first NFL team to get a state license in Virginia through a partnership with FanDuel Sportsbook. In Arizona, the Cardinals, Diamondbacks, Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Coyotes are among pro teams with sports wagering licenses.
There were no new applications for a Type-C license, so as of now, Elys Gameboard Technologies has that area all to itself.
In the Mobile Management Service Provider (MMSP) category, applications came in from Betfair Interactive U.S. (FanDuel Ohio Sportsbook) and FBG Enterprises Opco (Fanatics).
They join Penn Sports Interactive (Barstool Sportsbook), Crown Ohio Gaming LLC (DraftKings Ohio), BetMGM and PointsBet. As a Management Service Provider (MSP), FanDuel and Fanatics Sportsbook Ohio applications now make four, with JACK Cleveland Casino and BetMGM.
Still Waiting on Ohio Sports Betting Applicants
A number of Ohio professional teams as well as mobile sportsbook operators that already have announced partnership deals such as Caesars, BetPARX, Bally’s, Rush Street (BetRivers Sportsbook), Betway and Fubo Gaming, have not yet applied for licenses, so this week should be very busy. It’s a good time to be an Ohio lawyer with gaming expertise.
The application window runs from June 15 to July 15. There could be as many as 60 operators in the state.
On June 1, the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) announced a universal start date of Jan. 1, 2023. The state also provided clarity on the timeline for launching sports betting, including the licensing dates.
The state wanted all Ohio sports betting apps and other platforms to be ready at the same time.
Ohio Sports Gambling License Categories
The commission is accepting sports betting license applications from Type A, B, & C proprietors, first designated Mobile Management Service Providers (MMSPs), Management Service Providers (MSPs), and suppliers.
The window closes July 15. New applicants have been announced on Friday afternoons throughout the process.
Licenses in the Type A category are for mobile gaming and professional sports. In addition, the casinos and racinos, which saw June revenue decline from May, can apply for these licenses.
Type B licenses go to brick-and-mortar sportsbook facilities.
Type C licenses are reserved for operations with self-service terminals, who have D-class liquor licenses. The proprietors supply the betting terminals and handle wagering. The hosts are the facilities where the betting terminals are located.
The application window for Type C sports gaming hosts & second designated MMSPs is from July 15 to Aug. 15.
