Sports betting became legal in Ohio on December 22, 2021, when Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 29 into law. The bill established January 1, 2023 as the deadline for launching legal sports betting operations in the state.

Key Details:

• Ohio is the 33rd state to legalize sports betting
• 10% tax on net revenue (98% funds education, 2% for problem gambling programs)
• Must be 21+ to place bets
• Allows betting on pro sports, college sports, and esports

License Types:

• Type A: For casinos and sports teams ($2.5M)
• Type B: 40 retail betting shops ($90K-$140K)
• Type C: 20 lottery terminals for bars/restaurants ($1K)

Market Potential:

• Projected $1.1B in betting handle for 2023
• Expected to grow to $3B+ by 2024
• Ohio is the 4th largest state to legalize sports betting

Current Betting Options:

• Free-to-play sports betting sites
• Travel to neighboring states (Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania, West Virginia)
• Must wait until January 2023 for full legal betting in Ohio

The legislation creates a comprehensive framework for legal sports betting while generating tax revenue for education and responsible gaming programs. While the January 2023 launch date was set as the deadline, there were calls to expedite the process to allow betting operations to begin sooner.

Note: This article provides factual information about sports betting legalization in Ohio. If you need help with problem gambling, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

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