Ohio: Five new online sports betting operators approved for Jan. 1 launch

The casino control commission approved Type A (online sports betting) and Type B (retail sports betting) licenses for the Hall of Fame Village Newco, LLC, the Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati, and Miami Valley Gaming and Racing.

“We are very excited to launch sportsbook on Jan. 1. It will be great for Ohio and great for Hard Rock,” George Goldhoff, president of Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati, said at the meeting.

Additionally, the commission approved online sports betting service provider licenses for BetMGM, DraftKings, Hard Rock Digital, Tipico Sportsbook, and BetRivers and retail service provider licenses for BetMGM, Hard Rock Digital, Tipico Sportsbook, and BetRivers.

Online providers set to launch Jan. 1

Each of the online sports betting service providers will be able to launch on Jan. 1, 2023, during the universal start date for Ohio sports betting.

Here are the following online sports betting operator service provider approvals from this morning and their partnerships:

BetMGM (MGM Northfield Park)

DraftKings (Hollywood Casino Toledo)

Hard Rock Digital (Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati)

Tipico Sportsbook (Columbus Crew SC Stadium)

BetRivers (Hollywood Gaming Dayton Racing)

Miami Valley Gaming and Racing received a Type A license today and has partnered with Gamewise to provide its online sports betting services. Gamewise is still waiting for approval as an operator from the Ohio Casino Control Commission.

Retail sports betting providers approved

The Ohio Casino Control Commission also approved several sports betting companies to provide retail sports betting services for Ohio casinos or facilities. Interestingly, the commission approved three management service provider licenses for BetMGM alone.

Here are the retail service provider licenses and partnership approved: BetMGM (MGM Northfield Park, Cincinnati Reds, Cedar Downs OTB)

Hard Rock Digital (Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati)

Tipico Sportsbook (Columbus Crew SC Stadium)

BetRivers (Pro Football Hall of Fame Village)

Miami Valley Gaming and Racing also received a Type B retail license today, but has not listed a retail sports betting operating partner as of yet. It originally listed Gamewise as its retail provider, but the application was withdrawn.

Sports betting kiosk licenses still rolling in

The commission also approved seven Type C (kiosk) license hosts this morning as well, bringing the total up to 876 in the state.

The Ohio Lottery, however, has pre-approved more than 1,400 business for the licenses, Ohio Casino Control Commission Chair June E. Taylor said.

There is still a gap of nearly 600 unlicensed business and if licenses are not approved at the next commission meeting the businesses may not be eligible to launch on the Jan. 1 launch date, Taylor said.

By Robert Linnehan