Ohioans Bet More Than $7 Billion in First Year of Sports Betting
The launch of sports betting in Ohio has proved extremely successful. As of January 1, 2023, sports betting became legal in Ohio for both retail and online sportsbooks. Over $7.6 million was wagered by Ohioans in the first year. The state has not yet legalized online casinos.
Online sports betting is the most popular
Online sports betting in Ohio is proving to be more popular than betting at retail sportsbooks. As much as 97% of bets placed in Ohio are mobile, and less than 3% are at retail sports books. This meant smaller retail sportsbooks paid out more than they took in their first year.
Since January 2023, 18 online sportsbooks have opened for business. With more than a dozen legal online sportsbooks, Ohioans may battle to know which one to choose. Great odds, solid sign-up bonuses, and well-designed mobile apps are some of the factors they should take into account when making a choice.
Online sports betting apps
Online sports betting apps are becoming more sophisticated as technology improves. The interfaces are user-friendly, and the best apps offer great speed and no lag. It can be very frustrating for users if they have to wait some time for an app to load when making live wagers. The best apps also offer safe and secure payment methods for deposits and withdrawals.
Signing up
It isn’t difficult to sign up at a sportsbook, and the entire process usually only takes a few minutes. Users need to provide some personal information and agree to the terms and conditions. They must be 21 years or older and be physically within state lines when creating an account. It’s always important to gamble responsibly, and sports bettors need to consider carefully whether they can handle the big wins or the big losses before they sign up.
Bonuses and promotions
All legal online Ohio sportsbooks offer bonuses and promotions to users. The best ones deliver them to new and existing users. They usually offer great welcome bonuses to attract new customers. To retain existing customers, they may offer bonus bet tokens to those who bet regularly.
A bonus bet may be available for referring a friend. Promos in general include profit boosts, bonus bets, and sport-specific offers. For example, returning users may receive a sports-specific same-game parlay.
Key features
Online sportsbooks have some key features such as live streaming, early cash outs, parlays, and in-play betting. The best sportsbooks also provide betting guides and tips to help users place more educated wagers. With the promising casino gaming market in 2024, it will be interesting to see how much Ohioans bet on sports this year.