Following the frantic opening of Ohio sportsbooks in January, February saw a substantial decline in the handle and, consequently, in revenue for sports wagering.
In Ohio, sports betting occurs online/mobile (Type A proprietors), in the state’s brick-and-mortar casinos and racinos (Type B), and at kiosks (Type C) in smaller retailers throughout Ohio.
Ohio Sports Betting Handle Sees Dip
February’s total sports betting handle was almost $639.8 million, down 42.6% from January (more than $1.11 billion).
For the month, total sports betting revenue (for Types A, B, and C) was $82.88 million, down 60.4% from January (more than $209 million).
Looking at the February handle by proprietor class:
Type A proprietors, those operating online Ohio betting apps, had a sports betting handle of $621.1 million, down 43% from January ($1.1 billion).
Type B retail sportsbooks had a handle of $17.7 million, down 23% from January (almost $23 million).
Type C kiosk sports betting had a handle of more than $973,000, up 14.5% from January (about $850,000). The number of kiosks increased from 772 in January to 866 in February.
Promotional gaming credits, which apply to mobile only and are not deductible from total gross receipts, were more than $59 million.
The Ohio sports gambling market was dominated by two operators that are often at the top of the list for handle and revenue in many legalized sports wagering markets -- FanDuel Sportsbook Ohio and DraftKings. Together, the two combined to capture almost 70% of the total sports betting market, including all types.
Ohio Sports Betting, February vs. January
Ohio Betting Market Leaders: February 2023
In February, the remote betting market leaders (by handle), according to the Ohio Casino Control Commission, were:
- Belterra Park (FanDuel), $232.8 million.
- Hollywood Toledo (DraftKings), $214 million.
- MGM Northfield Park (BetMGM), $46.1 million
- Cleveland Guardians (Bet365), almost $31 million.
- Scioto Downs (Caesars) $28.4 million.
Ohio’s 11 casinos and racinos (racetracks with slot machines) in February 2023 posted a record revenue level of $197 million, up 0.1% from January ($196.82 million). The state’s four casinos had revenue of about $83 million combined. The state’s seven racinos posted total revenue of $114.4 million, according to the Ohio Lottery.
The four casinos had similar revenue numbers for February: JACK Cleveland, $22.8 million; Hollywood Columbus, $21.4 million; Hard Rock Cincinnati, $19.8 million, and Hollywood Toledo, $18.6 million.
Top racino revenues were: MGM Northfield Park, $25 million; Miami Valley Gaming (Lebanon), almost $20 million, and Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs (Columbus), almost $20 million.
Check out the best Ohio sportsbook promos available as this still fairly new market continues to acquire new customers.
