Ohioans bet more than $1 billion in first month of sports betting

Ohioans bet more than $1.1 billion on sports in the first month of the year, with the vast majority of the bets being placed online.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio became the latest state to legalize sports betting in January and people jumped at the new opportunity.

According to a report from the Ohio Casino Control Commission, Ohioans bet more than $1.1 billion on sports in the first month of the year, with the vast majority of the bets being placed online. Nearly $23 million worth of bets were placed at casinos and sportsbooks across the state. The state made about $208 million in revenue.

To see the full report from the casino commission, click here.

Just days after sports betting became legal in Ohio, state leaders took issue with several companies of having advertising or promotions that violated the law by either including the words “free” or “risk free” or by not properly displaying the required problem gambling messages. Those companies were BetMGM, DraftKings and Caesers, each facing fines up to $150,000.

Penn Sports Interactive and DraftKings were accused or either targeting college campus areas or advertising to those younger than 21, or both. DraftKings is facing a fine of up to $350,000 for this violation while Penn Sports Interactive is facing $250,000 fine.

Officials with the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio said calls to the gambling helpline were three times higher this year than in January 2022.

Anyone who feels they have a gambling problem and needs help can call 800–589–9966 or visit the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio's website.