While many of the businesses in Ohio that have been given sports betting licenses are ready to launch January 1, when the activity becomes legal, Kroger stores are holding back for now.
A spokesperson for the grocery giant told the Cincinnati Business Courier that the sports betting kiosks will not be ready for the 42 licensed stores in Ohio.
That news was confirmed by PlayOhio, who reported Kroger’s corporate affairs manager, Jenifer Moore said, “We are still doing our due diligence for the program.”
Between Kroger and Giant Eagle, they help make up the 15 percent of kiosk operators. Giant Eagle has the most kiosks with 65.
But another spokesperson for Kroger told the Courier that all of their approved stores might not be getting machines.
“The initial list encapsulated all possible stores where this program could occur, not necessarily all locations where activations will happen,” the spokesperson said.
By not having the kiosks ready to go at the first of the year could mean missing out on revenue from sports betting. It also might be hard to get business when they do install the machines, since other businesses will have a head start.
There were more than 800 applicants who were granted sports betting licenses, many of whom were in the Buckeye State’s biggest cities of Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Canton.
Sports betting will be available in three forms. The first, and presumably the most popular, will be online sports betting with a mobile app. The second is making a wager at a physical sportsbook. The third will be the kiosks at retail businesses, such as grocery stores, bars and convenience stores.
How much of an impact the kiosks will have has yet to be determined. The thinking, however, is they will be popular with people who don’t want to use their phone or walk into a sportsbook. They will have the advantage of making a wager at a place they already patronize.
Bettors will be able to make four types of bets at the kiosk; spread, game totals, moneyline and parlays. Businesses will have the option of paying out winning tickets, but if they are concerned about the risk of being robbed with so much cash on hand, they contact a lottery retailer, the lottery offices or through the mail.
