Top 5 NFL Betting Apps in Ohio
Though there are a plethora of options for bettors, five of the best NFL betting sites include ESPN BET, Caesars Sportsbook, BetMGM, FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook.
When ranking the best Ohio NFL betting sites, things to consider include promotional offers for new users, as well as the variety of odds offered, and how easy the platform is to use. User reviews can be an especially helpful tool in evaluating these criteria.
Best Overall NFL Betting App: ESPN BET
The newest sports betting app on the market happens to be the best as well. ESPN BET Ohio offers one of the best welcome bonuses in the game right now, with new bettors able to bet $10 and receive $150 in bonuses.
In addition to the welcome promo, ESPN BET features "bets of the day" which gives users access to picks and advice from the top sports personalities in the world.
- App Features: Best new user promo, seamless user experience, "bets of the day"
- Promotions: Bet $10, get $150 in bonus bets
- Total States Live: 17 active sports betting apps
Best NFL Betting App for Bonuses: Caesars Sportsbook
Most Ohio NFL betting apps have promotional offers for new users, but Caesars Sportsbook Ohio offers one of the most lucrative signup offers available with up to $1,000 in bonus bet credits up for grabs when new users sign up and place their first bet.
Though a strong promotional offer is enough to get users in the door, this operator keeps users coming back with frequent offers for existing users and a strong rewards program. With Caesars Rewards, users earn points with qualifying activities, such as sports betting, playing live table games at a participating casino, or even dining at participating restaurants. Users can cash in their points for things like gift cards, tickets to sporting events, travel, and more.
- App Features: Strong promotional offer for new users, an in-app awards program, live stream feature for select NFL games so users can "Watch and Bet"
- Promotions: Receive up to $1,000 in a bonus bet credit if your first wager loses
- Total States Live: 20 active sports betting apps, including 19 states and Washington D.C.
Best NFL Betting App for NFL Odds: BetMGM
BetMGM Ohio earns the title of Best NFL betting app in Ohio thanks to its strong variety of NFL market offerings and highly competitive odds. This operator offers standard odds for each NFL game, as well as a robust selection of alternative point spread and point totals to provide users with a variety of NFL betting options. Frequent bettors especially will enjoy the MGM Rewards program, which provides current users with unique promotional offers and the ability to cash in points for bonus credits or use in person at participating retailers for food, drinks, hotel stays and more.
- App Features: Competitive odds, live betting options including player props, MGM Rewards program
- Promotions: Bet $5, Get $150
- Total States Live: 21 active sports betting apps, including 20 states and Washington D.C.
Best NFL Betting App for User Experience: FanDuel Sportsbook
FanDuel Ohio Sportsbook is continually ranked among the best Ohio NFL betting sites for an unparalleled user experience. Arguably the best thing they have to offer is their clean user interface, available both for desktop users and mobile app customers alike. It's incredibly easy to navigate and find the odds you're looking for, making it a top option for new and veteran sports bettors alike. They have an extensive selection of available betting markets (depending on state), including same-game parlay and live betting options.
- App Features: Easy-to-use mobile app for a clean user experience, extensive live betting options, quick deposit options
- Promotions: Bet $5, Get $150 in bonus bets if your bet wins
- Total States Live: 19 active sports betting apps
Most Popular NFL Betting App: DraftKings Sportsbook
DraftKings Sportsbook Ohio is the most well-known NFL betting app for Ohio for several reasons, but the biggest reason lies in the wide variety of NFL odds and markets available to Ohio bettors. There might not be a single operator with a bigger variety when it comes to the types of bets users can make on the NFL, including an extensive list of NFL team and player futures. They've got something to offer for every NFL bettor, from Super Bowl odds to the exact number of regular season wins and longest win streak for each team and more. Their desktop platform and mobile app are incredibly easy to navigate — a huge plus for new sports bettors and experienced bettors alike.
- App Features: Wide variety of NFL odds available, easy-to-use mobile app, strong promos
- Promotions: No Sweat First Bet Up to $1,000 + All Sport SGP Insurance
- Total States Live: 21 active sports betting apps
Is It Legal to Bet on the NFL in Ohio?
It is legal to bet on the NFL in 28 states where mobile betting is legal, including the state of Ohio, as well as Washington D.C. There are several states that also have legislation in place to launch mobile sports betting soon, including Kentucky and Maine. As placing an NFL bet in Ohio has become an increasingly popular way for fans to interact with the game, it has opened the door for a number of new sportsbooks to expand their markets and offerings. Those efforts include official sportsbook partnerships with NFL teams.
NFL Betting in Ohio
NFL betting in Ohio officially went live with both mobile and in-person betting options on January 1, 2023. Betting was officially legalized in Ohio back in December 2021 with Ohio House Bill 29.
Since NFL betting in Ohio went live, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has proposed an increased tax rate on sports betting winnings from 10% up to 20%. If passed, the increased tax rate on sportsbook winnings would go into effect July 1, 2023 for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
NFL Betting in the U.S.
Since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the federal ban on sports betting, states have had the right to enact their own sports betting laws across the nation. In the years since, sports betting has been legalized and launched in 34 states, as well as Washington D.C. Here's a look at some of the biggest Ohio NFL betting news within the U.S. and what it means.
- 📆 March 10, 2023: Legalized sports betting launched in the state of Massachusetts.
- 📆 January 1, 2023: Legalized sports betting launched in the state of Ohio. This included both in-person and mobile sportsbook options.
- 📆 November 8, 2022: Voters in California struck down both sports betting measures on the ballot in the 2022 general election. This included Proposition 26, which aimed to legalize in-person sports betting at tribal casinos and horse racing tracks, as well as Proposition 27, which aimed to legalize mobile sports betting with major operators like DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel.
- 📆 May 14, 2018: United States Supreme Court issued the decision stuck down the federal ban on legalized sports betting. This decision paved the way for individual states to create their own state legislature for sports betting laws.
Popular NFL Events To Bet On
The best NFL betting sites in Ohio offer odds and lines for each game throughout the NFL season, though more casual sports bettors will find plenty of popular NFL events to wager on beyond that. The NFL playoffs and Super Bowl remain some of the most popular NFL events to bet on, but sportsbooks also offer odds on NFL season awards, like Offensive or Defensive Rookie of the Year.
NFL Playoffs
Leading into the NFL season, sports bettors will be able to wager on individual teams to make or miss the playoffs on most NFL betting apps. These odds are continually updated throughout the season as we learn more about each team's playoff chances based on their win-loss record and breaking news items, like injuries to key players, that will inevitably shake up the odds.
This season marks the third year since the NFL restructured the postseason back in 2020, with 14 teams making the playoffs instead of the previous 12. The winner of each NFL division will make the playoffs, including home-field advantage in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs. Each conference will also feature three Wild Card teams in the playoffs, where the No. 7 seed travels to play the No. 2 seed, the No. 6 seed to the No. 3 seed, and the No. 5 seed to the No. 4 seed.
Other more unique ways to bet on the NFL playoffs include placing wagers on the "Stage of Elimination" for each NFL team. With this wager type, bettors have the opportunity to wager on a team to miss the playoffs entirely or wager on them to lose in a specific round of the playoffs. This means that each team will have odds to be eliminated in the Wild Card or Divisional Rounds, as well as to lose in the Conference Championship, lose in the Super Bowl, or win the Super Bowl.
Super Bowl
One of the most popular NFL events to bet on every season is the Super Bowl, which offers sports bettors and NFL fans the most extensive odds offerings of any event throughout the NFL season. Odds for which team will win the Super Bowl are available all year long, but it's once the matchup is set that sports bettors have a true smorgasbord of wagers available to be placed, including an extensive menu of prop bets.
Every year, NFL betting apps will, of course, offer odds for traditional wagers to be made on the Super Bowl, such as the moneyline, point spread or the over/under. which are offered on every game throughout the season. What is unique about Super Bowl betting is the other bets users can make, with more expansive offerings than you'll see on any other game throughout the season. There are often a wider array of player and game prop bets than you'll see during a typical NFL game. More unique offerings include odds on whether an octopus will be scored (where the same player scores both a touchdown and a successful two-point conversion) or whether a non-quarterback will throw a passing touchdown.
In addition to prop bets on the game itself, Super Bowl bets will also include more unconventional prop bets on things like the outcome of the coin toss, the length of the national anthem, and what color Gatorade will be thrown on the winning coach. The availability of these betting markets varies from one site to another and state to state, pending local restrictions and legislation.
MVP
One of the most popular NFL futures bets to make each season is what player will win the NFL MVP award for the season. Historically, this has been an award most often given to a quarterback, though it is technically possible for players at other positions to win.
For the 2023 season, Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes is the consensus favorite to win NFL MVP across most major Ohio NFL betting sites, with odds continuing to fluctuate around the +700 mark. If Mahomes were to win NFL MVP in 2023, it would mark his third time winning the award, which would make him the seventh player in league history to win at least three MVP awards. Other quarterbacks in close consideration to win the 2023-24 NFL MVP award include Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa, Bills QB Josh Allen, Bengals QB Joe Burrow, and Eagles QB Jalen Hurts.
If you're looking to bet on an NFL MVP outside of the quarterback position, players like Vikings WR Justin Jefferson, Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase and 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey are some of the most popular names to consider. The last non-quarterback to win NFL MVP was Hall-of-Fame running back LaDanian Tomlinson back in 2006. Tomlinson finished that year with 2,323 scrimmage yards and 31 touchdowns with the San Diego Chargers, taking home not just the NFL MVP award, but also Offensive Player of the Year and All-Pro honors.
NFC/AFC Divisions
Another popular type of NFL futures bet includes odds to win each NFC and AFC division. Each conference has four divisions — North, South, East, and West — in which the winner of each division earns an automatic bid to the NFL playoffs.
In the NFC, consensus favorites to win each division on most NFL betting sites in Ohio include the Detroit Lions (NFC North), New Orleans Saints (NFC South), Philadelphia Eagles (NFC East), and San Francisco 49ers (NFC West).
In the AFC, consensus favorites to win each division on most Ohio NFL betting sites include the Cincinnati Bengals (AFC North), Jacksonville Jaguars (AFC South), Buffalo Bills (AFC East), and Kansas City Chiefs (AFC West).
Offensive/Defensive Rookie of the Year
College football fans, rejoice! The best NFL betting sites in Ohio offer odds on the NFL Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year awards, providing another opportunity to keep rooting for some of your favorite college prospects to make an impact at the next level. Falcons RB Bijan Robinson is the consensus favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year after being drafted No. 8 overall out of Texas, widely considered to be the best running back prospect since Saquon Barkley back in 2018. Robinson will step immediately into a workhorse role with the Falcons — already established as one of the NFL's most successful rushing offenses in Arthur Smith's first year as head coach.
Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young is favored to win Offensive Rookie of the Year among the quarterbacks after being drafted No. 1 overall, though questions regarding the rest of the offense (and specifically the receiving corps) have some bettors doubting.
On the other side of the ball, Texans DE Will Anderson sits as the consensus favorite across NFL betting apps to win Defensive Rookie of the Year. In a controversial move following their selection of QB C.J. Stroud second overall, the Texans traded a king's ransom to trade back up to the No. 3 spot to select Anderson. Though head coach DeMeco Ryans is in his first season with the team, his defensive background should be a key asset toward Anderson's development. Notably, Ryans will have Anderson playing defensive end with the Texans, rather than linebacker, which he played coming out of Alabama.
In 2022, the Texans ranked 20th in total pressure rate last season, an area in which Anderson showed plenty of production at the collegiate level. Anderson totaled 34.5 career sacks (5th-most in NCAA since 2005) and 59 career tackles for loss (10th) over three seasons with Alabama.
Choosing An NFL Betting App in Ohio
Users have a lot to consider when choosing an Ohio NFL betting app that will provide them with a quality betting experience. Here, we'll outline some of the most important things to evaluate when choosing which sportsbook is right for you. A good starting place is considering the types of bets you can make, as well as promotional offers, and how easy the NFL betting app Ohio is to use and navigate.
Types of Bets Offered
One of the easiest ways to evaluate NFL betting apps is to look at the type of bets offered and the variety of markets available to wager on. The best NFL betting sites in Ohio will offer a wide selection of wager types across a wide variety of sports.
Consider not just whether the sportsbook in question offers standard bets like moneyline, point spread, and point total wagers, but also what is offered in terms of player props and alternate betting lines. Some (but not all) sportsbooks also offer live betting options, allowing you to place wagers in the middle of games, sometimes down to the outcome of the next play like whether it will be a first down or turnover.
Odds and Betting Lines for NFL Games
The best betting sites will offer their users competitive odds and betting lines for NFL games. This means that the sportsbook offers odds that are comparable to other NFL betting sites. Offering competitive odds is a good thing for the user because it gives them the opportunity to pick which NFL betting app is right for them, based not just on the odds, but also based on other things we'll outline here, like the potential for betting bonuses and user experience.
NFL Betting Bonuses
When evaluating the best NFL betting sites in Ohio, users will want to consider what kind of NFL betting bonuses a sportsbook offers for both new and existing customers. Betting bonuses can include promotional offerings like odds boosts where customers can enjoy higher profit margins. They can also include bonus bet credits.
User Experience
NFL betting apps can be confusing, but the best Ohio NFL betting sites make it easy for users to find the types of bets they are looking for with easy-to-understand navigation and a user-friendly platform. This is true for NFL betting sites whether the user is accessing from a desktop computer or on their mobile device with an app.
Deposits and Withdrawals
The sites will provide users with an easy and secure process to make deposits and withdrawals. Reputable sports betting apps often provide their users with multiple ways to make deposits, whether that be with their debit or credit card, direct deposit with their bank account, or a third-party payment website like PayPal.
Customer Service
The NFL apps for betting aim to provide users with a seamless and easy experience. However, in the chances you do need to reach customer service, you should look for a site with a solid reputation for customer service.
Consider how easy and convenient it is to reach customer service, including the different ways you are able to reach them in case of an issue. For instance, some sportsbooks may only offer assistance to customers via telephone using a toll-free number. Others may offer in-app customer service options with messaging or live chat. Another point to consider is how helpful the customer service is when contacted, which you may understand better after reading user reviews.
How to Download an App for NFL Betting in Ohio
Before you pick out and download an app to place your first NFL bet, you should always take a look at reviews within the app store to ensure it is a good fit for your needs. Though reviews and offerings for each operator will vary from state to state, this can provide you with a general idea of each of the Ohio NFL betting apps strengths and weaknesses.
How To Download Apple iOS NFL Betting Apps
Once you've picked which NFL betting app is right for you, you'll need to download the app on your Apple iOS mobile device. Here's how:
- ✅ Open the App Store on your Apple iOS device.
- ✅ Click the magnifying glass icon in the bottom right corner.
- ✅ Type the name of the app you're looking for in the search bar.
- ✅ Click "Get" to initiate your free download.
- ✅ Once your app is downloaded, create an account. This will require you to provide some personal information, including your name, address, date of birth, and social security number, among other things. You will also need to upload a photo of your legal ID. Operators need this information for regulatory purposes, including verification that you are of legal age to bet as well as tax documentation.
- ✅ Before you can place your first wager, you will need to turn on location services for your new NFL betting app by going to "Settings" followed by "Privacy & Security" and "Location Services." Find your app on the list and ensure your location is enabled "While Using" so the app can verify that you are located in a legal betting state as you place your wagers.
How To Download Android Ohio NFL Apps for Betting
Once you've picked the NFL betting app you'd like to download, here are the steps you'll take to download it on your Android device:
- ✅ Using your Android mobile device, open the Google Play Store.
- ✅ Use the search bar to find the NFL sports betting app you'd like to download.
- ✅ Once you find the NFL sports betting app you'd like to download, click "Install" to start your free download.
- ✅ Once your download is complete, create an account for your new NFL betting app. You will need to provide personal information such as your name, address, and social security number, as well as upload a photo of your legal ID. This information is used for regulatory purposes, as operators are required to verify you are of legal betting age. A social security number is necessary for tax documentation, as you are required to pay taxes on winnings.
- ✅ Turn on location services for your new NFL betting app by going to "Settings" and tapping on "Security & Location" to update permissions. Sportsbooks use this information to sure you are placing a wager from a location where sports betting is legal.
How To Bet On The NFL Online in Ohio
It might seem overwhelming to learn how to bet on the NFL online in Ohio, but once you've grasped the basics, you'll be up and running in no time! Some of the most important things to know about how to bet on the NFL online will include how NFL odds work and understanding some of the most common types of bets you can make on the NFL.
How Do NFL Odds Work?
Reading NFL odds can be intimidating at first, but often, the first key is to remember that odds are just telling you how much profit you can make if you win a certain bet. The more likely an outcome is considered, the fewer profits sportsbooks are willing to reward you with for correctly predicting it to happen. The less likely an outcome is considered, the more profits operators are willing to reward you with for correctly predicting it to happen.
Most sites will reference American odds, where favorites are indicated with minus odds. These are indicated with a minus sign (-) followed by a number, where the number indicates how much money a user would have to wager in order to win $100 in profit on a winning bet. Underdogs for a given matchup will have plus odds. These are indicated with a plus sign (+) followed by a number, where the number indicates how much money a user would win in profits if wagering $100 on the winning bet.
NFL Moneyline Betting
An NFL moneyline bet is a straight-up wager on which team will win a given matchup, regardless of the margin of victory. Ahead of the NFL season, the best NFL betting sites have moneyline odds live for every single one of the 272 games in the 2023 NFL season. These odds were made available after the NFL schedule release and are continually updated throughout the offseason until Week 1 kick-off. When the NFL season kicks off, odds are then typically pulled and made unavailable until the week before the game.
NFL moneyline betting is one of the most straightforward types of bets you can make since you're simply predicting the winner of a given matchup. The team favored to win a given matchup will have minus odds, where the number following the minus sign (-) tells the bettor how much money would need to be wagered in order to win $100 profit. Conversely, the underdog in each matchup will be indicated with plus odds. When betting on an underdog, the number after the plus sign (+) tells the bettor how much profit they will win on a $100 wager.
NFL Spread Betting
One of the most popular wager types includes NFL spread betting, in which bettors are tasked to predict the margin of victory for a given matchup. NFL spread betting is a way for the site to provide even odds (or, at least, very close to even odds) between two unevenly matched teams.
In a point spread bet, the team favored to win will be indicated with a minus sign (-) followed by the point spread. The point spread tells bettors by how many points the favored need to win in order to "cover the spread." For example, in the 2023 NFL season opener against the Detroit Lions, the Chiefs are favored by 6.5 points. This means that a point spread bet on the Chiefs -6.5 will win if Kansas City beats Detroit by seven or more points.
In a point spread bet, the underdog is indicated with a plus sign (+) followed by the point spread. You can win a point spread bet on the underdog in one of two ways: 1) if the team wins the game outright, or 2) if they lose by fewer points than the point spread. In the previous example, the Lions are 6.5-point underdogs. That means a bet on the Lions +6.5 could win by either beating the Chiefs or by losing by six or fewer points.
NFL Over/Under Betting
NFL over/under betting, or betting on the point total, is a popular wager type, especially among new bettors since it is a simple concept to understand. For each NFL game, NFL betting sites will install a point total, which indicates the total number of points they project will be scored by both teams combined in a given matchup. Bettors will then either wager on the over or the under based on whether they think both teams will combine for more or fewer points than the sportsbooks' projected point total.
A wager on the over for a given point total means that the bettor is predicting both teams to combine for more points than the point total is set at. Conversely, a wager on the under for a given point total means the bettor is predicting both teams to combine for fewer points than the point total is set at. Some factors that might influence the point total from week to week include how good the offenses and defenses are for the teams in a matchup, as well as the weather for games taking place outdoors.
NFL Parlay Betting
NFL parlay betting has become a very popular way to get in on the action at the sportsbooks, though it carries its risk. NFL parlay betting refers to the act of combining two or more bets into a single wager. In order for a parlay to cash, each of the individual bets within the parlay (called a leg) must cash. If any of the legs of the bet don't win, the entire parlay loses.
The incentive for sports bettors to place parlays comes from the increase in odds — A.K.A., more profits if it wins when compared to betting each of those legs individually. Keep in mind that NFL parlay betting is generally a risky strategy since these wagers require bettors to correctly predict multiple outcomes.
NFL Player Props
NFL player props have quickly become one of the most popular NFL betting options in recent years, especially thanks to the popularity of fantasy sports. NFL player prop bets require the bettor to make a prediction about a specific player's performance. Popular player props on quarterbacks can include over/under wagers on passing yards, passing touchdowns, interceptions, and rushing yard totals. For running backs, common player prop offers include over/under wagers on rushing yards, receiving yards, or rushing + receiving yards. Wide receivers and tight ends often have player props available for their receiving yard totals, as well as total receptions.
Though NFL betting sites most commonly offer odds for offensive players, sportsbooks will sometimes offer odds on NFL player props for defenders. These bets might include wagers on whether or not a specific player will register a sack or have an interception in a given matchup.
NFL Team Props
NFL team props are wagers on NFL teams that aren't directly tied to the win-loss outcome of a given matchup. These bet types might include wagers on a team to be the first team to score a touchdown or field goal in a given matchup, or for a certain team to win the coin toss in the Super Bowl. The selection of available odds and wagers will vary across the different NFL betting apps and from state to state.
NFL Futures
NFL futures bets include wagers on outcomes that won't be decided for awhile, including wagers on what team will win the Super Bowl or whether or not a certain team will make the playoffs. Other types of NFL futures can include exact number of regular season wins for a team or what team will win a specific division.
Betting on NFL futures requires some patience on the bettor's part, since they don't cash until the outcome has been decided. For example, wagers placed on a team to make the playoffs won't be paid out until their spot in the playoffs has been officially clinched. Likewise, wagers on a team to win the Super Bowl aren't paid out until the Super Bowl winner is made official.
Get Started Betting On The NFL
Since sports betting was legalized, bettors have more ways than ever to engage with the game of professional football. However, because of that, it can be overwhelming to get started betting on the NFL, particularly with the number of sportsbooks available to choose from. The best place to start is by evaluating what is most important to you as a bettor and identifying which sites best meet those needs based on your own research, as well as user reviews. Get ready to bet on the NFL in Ohio with the best sites and apps. Be sure to review all of the promotions available, especially before the start of the 2023-2024 NFL Season.
Ohio NFL Betting Apps FAQ
Author
Kate Magdziuk is an NFL betting expert for BetOhio.com. She's written for NBC Sports Rotoworld, DraftKings Nation, Gaming Society, and 4for4 Fantasy Football.
