Deadline extended for Ohio bars and restaurants to apply for sports betting licenses
Ohio Casino Control Commission providing additional window for businesses to submit kiosk applications
Business owners in Ohio striving to house sports betting kiosks in their establishments when online betting launches on January 1 officially have some extra time to submit their license applications.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) on August 17 formally extended the window for “Type C” license applications after originally establishing an August 15 submission deadline, thus providing an additional window for businesses hoping to be on the starting lines in January.
The Type C licenses are one of three classifications available – Type A and Type B licenses are allocated for online and retail operators, respectively – and will allow bars, restaurants and other types of establishments possessing liquor licenses to host sports betting kiosks.
The OCCC, which has already received over 700 Type C license applications to date, didn’t provide a firm deadline but indicated interested parties would have at least another few weeks to submit applications.
In addition to bars and restaurants, grocery chains such as Kroger and Giant Eagle as well as lottery retailers are among the businesses seeking licenses.
As opposed to Type A and Type B licenses, which will allow for a range of betting offerings, Type C licenses will have some restrictions, with the kiosks limited to wagers on moneylines, spreads and totals. Bettors will be able to make parlays, but only up to four legs.
In addition, bettors won’t be permitted to wager more than $700 per week via kiosks.
Of the 727 Type C licenses already logged on Ohio’s e-license portal, 200 have been approved while two have been withdrawn. In total, there are 2,500 businesses eligible to apply.
The OCCC has set January 1 as the universal go-live day for all sports betting stakeholders in Ohio – be it retail locations, mobile apps or kiosks.