Everybody has to wait until the last minute, even big-time operators like Caesars Sportsbook Ohio.
The July 15 deadline arrived for Ohio sportsbooks licenses and there was a flurry of activity to get in under the wire.
The updated list was posted Friday a little after 8 p.m. and applicants still had until 11:59 to apply.
Type-A and Type-B Sports Gaming Proprietor applications came in from MGM Northfield Park and Scioto Downs on July 11. July 12 brought in an application from Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati. On the 13th, the Cleveland Browns application was submitted, along with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Crew SC Stadium, Muirfield Village Golf Club, and the Cincinnati Reds.
The Cleveland Cavaliers got in on July 14, with Hollywood Casino Columbus, the Cleveland Guardians, Hollywood Gaming Dayton Raceway, Belterra Park, Hollywood Casino Toledo and Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley. On the 15th, submissions came in from FC Cincinnati, SPIRE Institute and Miami Valley Gaming and Racing.
Type-A licenses are for mobile gaming and professional sports. Ohio casinos and racinos can also apply for these licenses.
You can expect to see Ohio betting promo codes when the state launches.
Applicants for Type-B and Type-C
Type-B only applications came in from Ravencrest Partners in Cuyahoga on July 14, and Harry Buffalo in Cuyahoga, Phantom Fireworks in Mahoning and Cedar Downs OTB in Erie on July 15. Type-B licenses are for brick-and-mortar sportsbook facilities.
For Type-C Sports Gaming Proprietor Licenses, Elys Gameboard Technologies no longer has the field to itself. Green Bear Gaming Development, Intralot and Skybox Sports Network have also applied for Type-C licenses. These licenses are reserved for operations with self-service terminals, who have D-class liquor licenses.
Additions to the Mobile Management Service Provider (MMSP) list are William Hill, Seminole Hard Rock Digital, Ohio Betfred Sports, Bet365, PlayUp Interactive, Superbook Ohio, Tipico Ohio,, Instabet, Parx Interactive Ohio, Underdog Sports Wagering, Out the Gate, Gamewise, and Bally’s Interactive.
The Management Service Provider (MSP) list adds William Hill, Seminole Hard Rock Digital, BetRivers Ohio, Superbook Ohio, Out the Gate, Parx Interactive Ohio, Bally’s Interactive, PointsBet Ohio, and Barstool.
If you want a simple chart for where Ohio is right now, according to the Ohio Casino Control Commission:
Ohio Sports Betting License Update
Another Application Window Opens
The window for applications from Type C sports gaming hosts and second designated MMSPs opened July 15 and will stay open until Aug. 15.
On June 1, the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) announced there would be 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 OCC wanted all sportsbook apps in Ohio to be ready at the same time. Those that didn’t apply for licenses by Friday, can still submit applications, but won’t be guaranteed the Jan. 1 launch date.
