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Unconventional Contenders for Wagering Permits in Ohio Include Underdogs and Zealots

Sports academies, fireworks retailers, and real estate companies apply for gambling licenses, similar to established casinos, professional sports teams, and license-seeking operators.

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Contenders outside the mainstream, including fanatics, among the unconventional candidates vying...
Contenders outside the mainstream, including fanatics, among the unconventional candidates vying for wagering licenses in Ohio

Unconventional Contenders for Wagering Permits in Ohio Include Underdogs and Zealots

As the countdown to the launch of sports betting in Ohio continues, a diverse range of operators are gearing up for a competitive market. Beyond the well-known entrants Underdog Fantasy and Fanatics, several other entities have applied for sports betting licenses in the state.

Key Players in the Ohio Sports Betting Market

Pro Sports Teams and Venues

The Cleveland Browns have secured mobile deals with Bally's and retail partnerships with Caesars. The Cincinnati Reds, on the other hand, have partnered with Underdog Fantasy for a digital platform, while Fanatics applied for retail and online sportsbooks partnerships with the team. The Cleveland Cavaliers have mobile partnerships with Fubo Sportsbook and retail deals with Caesars, and the Columbus Crew have a mobile agreement with Tipico. The Pro Football Hall of Fame has mobile and retail partnerships with Instabet and Rush Street Interactive, respectively.

Casinos and Racinos

MGM Northfield Park will operate a BetMGM-branded brick-and-mortar sportsbook and a digital platform. Caesars, through Eldorado Gaming, will have Caesars Sportsbook-branded retail and digital platforms at Scioto Downs. JACK Entertainment will debut BetJACK retail sportsbooks at both its Cleveland and Thistledown locations, with the Cleveland location partnering with PlayUp for a BetJACK-branded mobile site.

Independent Operators

HOF Village Newco, partnered with Rush Street Interactive, has applied for both Type-A (online) and Type-B (retail) licenses. Penn Sports Interactive LLC has applied for a mobile management services provider license. Elys Gameboard Technologies has applied for a Type-C license aimed at bars and restaurants with sports betting kiosks. DraftKings, BetMGM, PointsBet, and multiple other sportsbooks like BetRivers and ESPN BET have also applied for mobile management services provider licenses, with some establishing partnerships with casinos like JACK Cleveland Casino and JACK Thistledown Racino.

Other Entities

FC Cincinnati has mobile and retail partnerships with Superbook Sports. The SPIRE Institute, a sports-focused high school in Ohio, has applied for a betting license. JSJ Klub, which owns Ohio-based restaurant chain Harry Buffalo, applied for a retail license and listed PointsBet as its partner. FanDuel has applied for a license in Ohio, but didn't specify its "proprietor partner."

The Competitive Landscape

Ohio authorizes 25 online and up to 40 retail sportsbook licenses, distributed among casinos, racinos, pro sports venues, and independent operators. This landscape creates a competitive market beyond the initially named entities. Notably, Penn National Gaming has the biggest stake of any gaming company in Ohio with four brick-and-mortar locations. The Cincinnati Bengals have a mobile partnership with Betfred, but haven't indicated if they have a retail partner yet.

As the July 15 deadline for applications passes, the stage is set for an exciting and competitive sports betting landscape in Ohio, with a wide variety of operators vying for a piece of the action.

[1]: Source 1 [2]: Source 2 [3]: Source 3 [4]: Source 4

  1. The diverse range of sports betting operators in Ohio includes pro sports teams, casinos, independent operators, and other entities.
  2. The Cleveland Browns have secured mobile deals with Bally's and retail partnerships with Caesars.
  3. The Cincinnati Reds have partnered with Underdog Fantasy for a digital platform.
  4. Fanatics applied for retail and online sportsbooks partnerships with the Cincinnati Reds.
  5. The Cleveland Cavaliers have mobile partnerships with Fubo Sportsbook and retail deals with Caesars.
  6. The Columbus Crew have a mobile agreement with Tipico.
  7. The Pro Football Hall of Fame has mobile and retail partnerships with Instabet and Rush Street Interactive, respectively.
  8. MGM Northfield Park will operate a BetMGM-branded brick-and-mortar sportsbook and a digital platform.
  9. Caesars, through Eldorado Gaming, will have Caesars Sportsbook-branded retail and digital platforms at Scioto Downs.
  10. JACK Entertainment will debut BetJACK retail sportsbooks at both its Cleveland and Thistledown locations.
  11. HOF Village Newco, in partnership with Rush Street Interactive, has applied for both Type-A (online) and Type-B (retail) licenses.
  12. Penn Sports Interactive LLC has applied for a mobile management services provider license.
  13. Elys Gameboard Technologies has applied for a Type-C license aimed at bars and restaurants with sports betting kiosks.
  14. DraftKings, BetMGM, PointsBet, and multiple other sportsbooks like BetRivers and ESPN BET have also applied for mobile management services provider licenses.
  15. Some sportsbooks, like BetMGM and BetRivers, have established partnerships with casinos like JACK Cleveland Casino and JACK Thistledown Racino.
  16. FC Cincinnati has mobile and retail partnerships with Superbook Sports.
  17. The SPIRE Institute, a sports-focused high school in Ohio, has applied for a betting license.
  18. JSJ Klub, which owns Ohio-based restaurant chain Harry Buffalo, applied for a retail license and listed PointsBet as its partner.
  19. FanDuel has applied for a license in Ohio, but didn't specify its "proprietor partner."
  20. Ohio authorizes 25 online and up to 40 retail sportsbook licenses, distributed among casinos, racinos, pro sports venues, and independent operators.
  21. This landscape creates a competitive market beyond the initially named entities.
  22. Notably, Penn National Gaming has the biggest stake of any gaming company in Ohio with four brick-and-mortar locations.
  23. The Cincinnati Bengals have a mobile partnership with Betfred, but haven't indicated if they have a retail partner yet.
  24. As the July 15 deadline for applications passes, the stage is set for an exciting and competitive sports betting landscape in Ohio.
  25. The variety of operators vying for a piece of the action includes well-known finance-focused entities like DraftKings and FanDuel.
  26. The diverse market also includes sports-focused ventures, such as FC Cincinnati and the SPIRE Institute.
  27. The arrival of sports betting in Ohio presents opportunities for entrepreneurship in the finance, technology, and business spheres.
  28. As the industry grows, issues such as responsible gambling, diversity and inclusion, and data and cloud computing will become important considerations for operators and policymakers alike.

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