DraftKings, BetMGM headline latest batch of Ohio mobile sports betting licenses
BetRivers, Hard Rock and Tipico also approved during most recent Casino Control Commission meeting
The march toward legalized sports betting in Ohio took another step forward on November 2, with the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) conditionally approving an additional batch of online licenses, headlined by DraftKings and BetMGM.
DraftKings had its Type A mobile license approved, while BetMGM received conditional approval for both Type A and Type B licenses, the latter allowing it to offer retail betting through its partnership with the Cincinnati Reds.
Joining the pair of online giants were Hard Rock, BetRivers and Tipico, all of which were approved for Type A and Type B licenses.
BetRivers is partnered with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Village for retail betting, while Tipico has a partnership with Columbus Crew SC. Hard Rock has its own brick-and-mortar property in Cincinnati.
Both the Pro Football Hall of Fame Village and Hard Rock Cincinnati were approved as proprietors as well, in addition to Miami Valley Gaming.
The OCCC also handed out a quartet of supplier licenses, with Internet Sports International, Xpoint Services, SBTech Malta and Stadium Technology Group all receiving approval.
The wave of licenses follows similar mass-approvals from recent weeks, in which the likes of FanDuel, Caesars Sportsbook, Barstool Sportsbook and bet365 all received the proverbial green light to be on the starting lines when Ohio universally launches mobile, retail and self-service kiosk betting on January 1, 2023.
Nearly 900 Type C licenses – or those that will allow establishments such as bars, restaurants and other lottery vendors to house kiosks – have also been awarded to date.
As of October 28, the Ohio Lottery had pre-approved 1,412 businesses for Type C licenses, meaning over 500 of them have yet to go through the formal application process.