Ohio Sports Betting Just One Step Away
After what has felt like years of frustration and debates in Ohio, a bill that would legalize sports betting has finally passed through the state. That bill, House Bill 29, now sits on the desk of Governor Mike DeWine, waiting for a signature.
DeWine has supported sports betting since this was first brought up, and he is expected to sign the bill by the end of the week. The only delay might stem from several new amendments being added, and it will take some time to review them all.
Last week, DeWine told a radio show, “I’m inclined to sign the bill unless there’s something in there that I’m not aware of that would cause me to not sign it.”
There won’t be many surprises in the final bill, but DeWine hasn’t been a part of the lawmaking process up to this point.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission will be in charge of regulating the new industry, and that group will be tasked with coming up with rules to guide and govern the industry. Some lawmakers initially wanted the Ohio Lottery to be in charge of sports betting, but that debate was finally settled.
Initial reports have set the launch date of sports betting at January 1, 2023, but the state would like to move that date up. Governor Mike DeWine is expected to provide an update on an earlier launch date at some point after he signs the bill.
There is still plenty of work to be done, but this is the most optimism coming out of the state of Ohio in months.
Unlimited Possibilities in Ohio
Sports betting industry experts will keep a close eye on Ohio as this could emerge as a massive sports betting market. There will be three different sets of licenses available, and there could be more than 100 different ways to bet on sports.
A Class A license is the name given to the online sports betting licenses set to be available in Ohio. These licenses will be offered to professional sports teams and casinos that plan to partner with an online sportsbook.
Class B licenses will allow those same groups to offer retail betting at professional sports stadiums and at casinos. A third license, Class C, will allow restaurants and bars to provide retail betting at up to two kiosks.
Ohio Will Face Competition
Even though Ohio could eventually become a massive sports betting market, it is clearly joining this industry pretty late in the game. It also won’t help that Ohio will face plenty of competition from surrounding states that have already launched sports betting.
Pennsylvania borders the state of Ohio. They are one of the biggest sports betting markets in the United States. Indiana is another border state, and the Hoosier State has put up some impressive sports betting numbers of late.
It will take a while for Ohio to get established, but then the possibilities are truly endless.
