Ohio Launches Legal Sports Betting on New Year's Day 2023
Ohio launched regulated online and retail sports betting on January 1, 2023, becoming one of the largest US states to go live with legal wagering, with DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, and multiple other operators active from day one.
Key Takeaways
- Ohio sports betting launched January 1, 2023 — New Year's Day
- Both online (mobile) and retail sports betting launched simultaneously
- Major operators including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars launched at midnight
- Ohio is the seventh most populous US state, making it one of the most significant market openings in the modern US sports betting era
- The Ohio Casino Control Commission oversees sports betting regulation
- Ohio's 10% gross gaming revenue tax rate applied from day one
Why It Matters — Players
Why It Matters — Operators
Ohio became one of the largest US states to legalise and launch sports betting when the market opened at midnight on January 1, 2023 — a launch specifically timed to coincide with New Year's Day, including the College Football Playoff semi-finals taking place that same day. The simultaneous retail and online launch made Ohio immediately one of the most competitive legal sports betting markets in the United States.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission, which had been designated as the regulatory body for sports betting under HB 29 (the Ohio sports betting legislation enacted in December 2021), licensed over a dozen mobile sportsbook operators and numerous retail locations ahead of the January launch. Day-one operators included DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, Barstool (now ESPN Bet), PointsBet, Bet365, and several others.
Ohio's regulatory structure permits both "Type A" licences for standalone mobile operators and "Type B" licences for businesses with physical locations (such as casinos, racetracks, and professional sports teams) that can offer both retail and online betting. The professional sports partnership model gave teams including the Cleveland Guardians, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, and Columbus Crew the ability to become licensed Type B operators or enter revenue-sharing agreements.
The Ohio GGR tax rate of 10 percent positions the state as a relatively operator-friendly jurisdiction compared to higher-tax states like New York (51% GGR). Revenue from sports betting taxes funds Ohio's K–12 education system, with projections anticipating meaningful annual contributions. Ohio's large population of over 11 million adults and strong college sports culture — including the Ohio State Buckeyes — were cited by operators as making Ohio a priority market from the start.
- Source:
- Legal Sports Report
- Published:
- January 1, 2023
- Original Article:
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