BetMGM, PointsBet First Sportsbooks To Apply For Ohio Licenses

• The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCC) announces BetMGM and PointsBet as the first sports betting license applicants.
• Ohio will announce betting license applicants every Friday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCC) has officially announced that BetMGM and PointsBet applied for sport betting licenses.

These were the first sportsbooks to be announced, with more applicants being announced every Friday. Ohio will launch its sports betting market on January 1, 2023.

The regulations in Ohio allow for 25 online sportsbooks ad 40 retail locations. Ohio is aiming to have several mobile operators prepared for the January launch.

Ohio Sports Betting In Coming

In addition to an online sports betting license, the OCC document shows that BetMGM also applied for a ‘Management Services Provider’ license. This would allow BetMGM to launch a retail sportsbook in Ohio.

These applications do not guarantee these sportsbooks will go live in Ohio. Neither BetMGM nor PointsBet has partnered with proprietor partners, a requirement to be launch in Ohio.

This means that they would need to secure partnerships with local professional teams or casinos in order to gain access in the Ohio market.

A sportsbook like Bally’s, for example, who has a partnership with the Cleveland Browns is in a better position to go live in Ohio than BetMGM and PointsBet. Bally’s application has not yet been announced.

Ohio is also accepting applications for sports betting kiosk licenses. These will be live-in bars, bowling alleys, and restaurants.

Next Steps For Ohio

Lawmakers have been working towards the launch of sports betting in Ohio since Governor Mike DeWine signed regulated betting into law. The application phase is one step closer to the finish line.

Next, the betting licenses will need to be granted, partnerships approved, and a brief test period to ensure the online sportsbooks are operating properly.

The betting market in Ohio is moving on pace compared to other markets that went live. Expect to see more sportsbook applicants being announced in the coming weeks.

News tags: BetMGM | Cincinnati Bengals | Cleveland Browns | Cleveland Cavaliers | Columbus | OCC | Ohio | Ohio Casino Commission | PointsBet