Ohio regulator hit with last minute sports betting application surge
Twenty operators beat first licensing window deadline as Buckeye State market takes shape
The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) received more than 22 applications from prospective licensees in the final month leading up to the closure of the first licensing window on July 15.
Releasing an update on the progress of licensing, the OCCC revealed 22 type A applications had been received, with applicants including sports franchises, casinos and racinos all sending in paperwork.
Ohio professional sports franchises applying for licenses included the Cleveland Guardians, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Cavaliers, Cincinnati Reds, Columbus Blue Jacks, FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew.
One very notable applicant was Mahoning-based fireworks company Phantom Fireworks, which submitted an application to run a sportsbook.
A total of 20 operators sent in applications to become mobile sportsbook partners, with type A applicants including DraftKings, BetMGM, PointsBet and bet365 making up the running.
Caesars, Hard Rock, Rush Street Interactive and Bally’s, which had all been expected to submit applications but had failed to do so in the lead up to the deadline, also submitted deadline-busting applications for licenses.
In addition to the type A and mobile applicants, 24 type B (retail) and four type C (kiosk) applications were received by the OCCC in the run up to the deadline.
The second licensing window, which is currently in effect, looks for applications from mobile operators serving as the second skin of a land-based partner, as well as those lottery-kiosk operators that wish to offer sports betting.
This window closes on August 15, with the Buckeye State sportsbook market scheduled to go live by January 1, 2023.