Ohio legalises sports betting
Governor Mike DeWine has signed legislation to allow sports betting in the state.
US.- After three years of debate, Ohio has approved sports betting. Governor Mike DeWine has signed legislation to allow sports betting in the state following approval of House Bill 29 by the House and Senate earlier this month.
According to the bill, the state will start issuing licences on April 1 with a target to be ready for launch on January 1, 2023. The Ohio Casino Control Commission must still formulate rules and regulations for sports wagering before accepting licence applications.
The state will join the 30 other US states and Washington DC that have been legalising sports betting since 2018. Players will be allowed to place sports bets online, at casinos, racinos, and at betting kiosks in bars, restaurants, and professional sports facilities.
Ohio sports betting licences
House Bill 29 proposes three types of sports betting licences:
- Type A licences for state entities that have the ability to bank a bet, such as the state’s 11 casinos and racinos.
- Type B licences for future brick-and-mortar sportsbooks.
- Type C licences for sports betting kiosks in retail establishments with D-class liquor licenses.
The bill allows for 65 licences in total: 25 online sports betting licences and 40 retail sportsbook licences. Sports betting activities in the state will be overseen by the Ohio Casino Control Commission.
See also: Ohio casinos and racinos take in $178.8m in November
