Ohio: More than 2 million accounts using sports betting apps across state

When someone tries to use a smartphone or computer to place an online bet through an Ohio-based sportsbook, the company makes sure the gambler is actually in Ohio.

GeoComply identified 2.25 million unique player accounts in Ohio from New Year’s Day through Jan. 31. That data suggests people were busy using gambling apps in Ohio. However, the number of bets placed, and the amount of money wagered, won’t be publicly known until late February when figures are released by Ohio’s Casino Control Commission and Lottery Commission.

GeoComply doesn’t track when or how many bets are placed. But what it does track is when a gambler’s location is verified. The company calls these “geolocation checks.”

When someone opens a gambling app, that would count as one “check” If they place a bet, it could be another. If the person travels somewhere, it could be a third check.

Ohio bettors can wager now at FanDuel in Ohio and other sportsbooks in the state, including Barstool Sportsbook, Caesars and DraftKings.

Through January, GeoComply processed 160 million of these geolocation checks. Ohio, is already shaping up to be a huge market for sports betting, said John Pappas, senior vice president of government and public affairs at GeoComply.

“Its not surprising that there’s still great enthusiasm for legal sport betting in Ohio,” Pappas said. “What is surprising is its surpassing markets like New York.

New York led the country in sports betting on apps in 2022, the same year it was legalized there.

On Jan. 1 and Jan. 2, GeoComply processed 11.3 million of these location checks in Ohio. Meanwhile, New York had about 9.3 million checks, and Pennsylvania had 8.2 million.

Data for the whole month wasn’t available. But during the NFL playoffs — Jan. 14 through Jan. 29 — a player’s location was verified in Ohio 87 million times.

Ohio was a clear leader, according to GeoComply, while New York has just over 72 million locations checks, and Pennsylvania had about 65 million.

Pappas said this is likely because Ohio has many apps, 16 as of Monday, that all went live at once. Many of the mobile sportsbooks offered promotions, which could entice someone to place bets on multiple gambling apps.

Kentucky travelers

Kentuckians are also trying to use Ohio’s sports betting apps, and are being blocked if they aren’t found to be physically in Ohio. GeoComply verified locations one million times for users in Kentucky. Over 58,000 unique accounts tried to place bets.

Those who weren’t in Ohio, could not place bets. But GeoComply data shows that some people made the drive. Just over 2,000 unique gambling accounts were located in Kentucky, and then located shortly after in Ohio.

“The data shows that Ohio is benefiting from Kentucky’s inaction on sports betting,” Pappas said, adding that when it was illegal to bet in Ohio, people traveled into Michigan.

Cincinnati led the state with 38 million geolocation checks, followed by Cleveland with 31 million. Columbus had 25 million while the Toledo area had just under 12 million.

These numbers won’t include bets made at a physical sportsbook, like the betting lounges at JACK Cleveland Casino or Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Or the bets made at kiosks in bars.

Pappas said 80% to 90% of sports bets are made on either phones or computers.

Ohio lawmakers created three kinds of sports gambling. There are Las Vegas-style sportsbooks, mobile-betting apps and gaming kiosks that can be found in bars, bowling alleys and even grocery stores.

Revenue numbers for sports betting in January won’t be available until at least midway through February, when figures are released by Ohio’s Casino Control Commission and Lottery Commission. Sports-betting companies don’t have to report earnings to the state until the 15th of each month.