Ohio sports betting licenses now available to bars & restaurants

Ohio just opened its second phase for sports betting license applications. With the new window, businesses in the state that are interested in hosting sports betting kiosks can submit their applications. Service providers seeking to create a second partnership with a gaming operator can also apply.

Several Ohio businesses can add sports betting kiosks to their establishments once they get the license. These include restaurants, bars, hotels, golf courses, bowling alleys, truck shops, convenience stores, and supermarkets. According to reports, around 125 eligible establishments have formally turned in their paperwork. 

In December 2021, the Ohio legislature passed a sports betting law that gave a number of alcohol and liquor license holders the ability to partner with operators that offer sports betting services. These also include Ohio Lottery vendors. According to the sports betting law, the permits were referred to as Type C licenses.

Online sports betting was referred to as Type A licenses, while retail sportsbooks were called Type B. Unlike either of these, operators with a Type C license had a limited number of available bets, and each individual could only wager a specific amount weekly.  

Besides the 125 organizations that have already applied, hundreds more are expected to join the fray in vying for licenses to host sports betting kiosks. Ohio’s universal start date is January 1, 2023, and businesses have between July 15 to August 15 to apply. The state will accept all applications after this window; however, the establishments are not guaranteed that operations will start on January 1 for them. 

READ: Ohio sports betting guide

The panel in charge of issuing the sought-after sports betting licenses is the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC). According to reports, the Ohio lottery is making plans to enable its license holders to join the rest of the establishments in hosting sports betting kiosks. 

The lottery, as of July 22, had pre-approved more than 1,000 businesses in Ohio to enable them to host a betting kiosk. Despite being a requirement for licensure, the Ohio lottery’s recommendation does not mean that the OCCC would approve the application. The Type C hosts are allowed to pick from the several kiosk operators that the organization has already approved. 

Besides lottery retailers, online sports betting operators that want to be a proprietor’s auxiliary Mobile Management Services Provider can also apply. Rush Street Interaction, also known as BetRivers, decided to apply for Hollywood Casino Columbus’ second MMSP last Tuesday. 

The OCCC revealed that for both the proprietor and the MMSP, becoming a second partner would cost them. The gaming venue is usually meant to pay $1.5 million to collaborate with an online sports provider; however, to get another, it had to pay $5 million after approval. The first MMSP is also mandated to turn in $1.5 million in order to be issued a license, and the second would pay $5 million for the same service. 

Besides Ohio’s state-licensed gaming venues and professional sports teams, other organizations were free to apply. The casinos and racinos were allowed to be the proprietors of retail sportsbooks and online sports betting apps. Organizations like the SPIRE Institute located in Geneva, as well as the HOF Village in Canton, have already applied for licenses for online and retail activities. 

Elys Gameboard Technologies, Gold Rush Amusements, Iron Gate Gaming, Skybox Sports Network, J & J Ventures Gaming of Ohio, Green Bear Gaming Development, and Intralot have also applied to supply kiosks for sports betting to retailers approved by the lottery. The companies above applied before the July 15 deadline; hence, they will start with the rest on New Year’s Day if their application is approved. 

Other organizations that have applied to oversee a sportsbook include Ravencrest Partners in Cuyahoga County, Phantom Fireworks in Youngstown, Lori’s Roadhouse in West Chester, and Harry Buffalo in Cleveland.

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