The Ohio Lottery Commission’s Wednesday meeting touched on sports wagering but mainly to discuss the network of hundreds of kiosks and point-of-purchase locations that will offer Ohio sports betting.
It also approved some rules for sports gaming, without detailing them, and noted that a handful of additional rules still must be approved.
So far, 1,358 host locations for kiosk-style and point-of-purchase betting have been recommended by the Lottery to the Ohio Casino Control Commission. Of that number, the OCCC has received 827 applicants and approved about 500. The remainder are expected to be approved in batches.
The Lottery is currently working with seven “proprietors.” They are the vendors contracted by hosts to supply equipment and marketing for the kiosks and point-of-purchase segment of Ohio’s sports wagering operation, which is set to launch at least by Jan. 1, 2023, along with other retail and mobile operations.
Ohio Sports Betting a Wide-Ranging Market
When sports wagering gets going in Ohio, it will be one of the broadest ranging programs in the country.
Sportsbooks will also be located in the state’s 11 casinos and racinos and most significantly, there will also be Ohio sports betting apps.
Also, several professional sports teams have also been approved for both retail and online sports gambling licenses. However, internet wagering — which is where most bettors are expected to place their wagers — was not discussed at the Lottery meeting.
Rules Process on Schedule
John Dillinger, Ohio Lottery’s deputy director, said the first set of 16 rules will go into effect at the end of September and 10 still have to be approved. Dillinger said the rules-approval process is on schedule for the Jan. 1 launch.
The Lottery’s oversight of the Ohio sports betting kiosks and POP sports wagering has the complexity of featuring hundreds of locations each with its own circumstances. Bettors will be able to use kiosks and perhaps redemption machines, or even approach a counter to make a purchase. Dillinger said that some locations will probably have TVs and even potentially display odds.
Once the market launches on New Year's Day, visit BetOhio.com to find the best Ohio sportsbook promo codes.
