Ohio Sports Betting: First Round of Online Operator Licenses Awarded to Caesars, bet365, and Others

Ohio Casino Control Commission approved the first round of mobile management services provider licenses on Wednesday. They were conditionally granted to PointsBet, Caesars Sportsbook, Betfred, bet365, and SuperBook Sports. Caeres and the Superbook were also approved for retail sports betting provider licences. The licenses are effective as of January 1, 2023.

Ohio's sports-betting law allows for up to 25 online sports betting licenses to be awarded to proprietors. Caesars, bet365, and others have been approved for their online licenses. There are also 25 applications for mobile management services provider licenses, including the five approved on Wednesday. The law also allows 40 permits for brick-and-mortar sportsbooks. There's also more than 1,000 bars, restaurants, businesses in line to host sports betting kiosks.

Matt Schuler, executive director of the Ohio Casino Control Commission, says his staff has been overwhelmed by the number of applications and requests. Applicants are constantly asking about when they might be on the regulator's agenda. The deadline for key employee applications or holding company forms is Wednesday. All standard sports gaming employee application are due by November 2. Ohio's looming launch date and the demands of lawmakers and applicants are adding to the workload at the commission. Staffers have been working overtime to keep pace with the state's rollout plans.