With a July 16 deadline looming, the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) is expecting a rush of online and retail sports betting applications from operators who want to launch in the state on January 1, 2023. The state’s sports betting law allows 25 online wagering proprietor licenses and 40 proprietor licenses for brick-and-mortar sportsbooks.
So far, applicants include Penn Sports Interactive LLC, a digital arm of Barstool Sportsbook owner Penn National Gaming, and HOF Village Newco LLC, a subsidiary of Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, owner of the Hall of Fame Village in Canton.
HOF Village Newco is seeking a proprietor license for both retail and online sports betting. In December, Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment announced it signed a 10-year agreement with BetRivers-owned Rush Street Interactive for a sportsbook at the HOF Village.
Barstool Sportsbook will face significant competition in Ohio, as BetMGM, DraftKings and PointsBet have applied for mobile management services provider licenses; these allow operators to offer an online sportsbook on behalf of an Ohio-based professional sports organization, casino or other entity with a proprietor license for mobile betting.
Penn National operates four casinos in Ohio, and as a result, it can sell access to up to seven online skins besides Barstool Sportsbook. At least one of those skins is already designated for PointsBet. That should leave Penn National with two first-skin licenses and four second-skin licenses.
Elys Gameboard Technologies LLC also wants to operate its kiosks in Ohio, as it has in the District of Columbia market since October. Elys partners with restaurants that do not want to partner with the DC Lottery‘s GambetDC brand. Elys expects to sign up hundreds of potential partners in Ohio, with more than 700 retailers already pre-approved.
Bettors must be at least 21 years of age and must be physically located within the state.
