Best online sportsbooks in Ohio
Ohio betting sites first became legal earlier this year. The Buckeye State is playing catchup with nearby legal states such as Michigan and Pennsylvania.
Ohio Sports Betting Sites
Even though it’s a young market, Ohio has a wide variety of betting sites available. All the best operators have thrown their hats into the ring; 18 sportsbooks in total are live in the state. On this page, we discuss the best Ohio sports betting sites, their best features, and everything else you need to know.
Sportsbooks in Ohio
Top three sportsbooks in Ohio
Our top three betting sites for Ohio sports fans are DraftKings, FanDuel, and Betfred. Here’s what sets each one apart.
DraftKings: An all-around winner
DraftKings gets pretty much everything right, making it an easy contender for the top Ohio betting site. The first big point in DraftKings’ favor is its welcome bonus.
The positives continue. Our favorite feature at DraftKings is betting groups. You can form and join groups with your friends to see what they’re betting on and, with one click, bet on the same markets. These social features make betting a fun, community-building experience.
DraftKings also has top-notch promotions (which we’ll cover later on this page).
Finally, the DraftKings sportsbook app and desktop site are smooth and seamless. The menus and navigation options make finding any sport, league or market incredibly easy. Anything you wish to find is never more than a click or a tap away.
Without a doubt, DraftKings is the best Ohio sports betting site. It has something for everyone, including a vast array of available sports and betting markets.
FanDuel: A (very) close second
Truth be told, it was a close call. FanDuel is locked in perpetual competition with DraftKings, and the two sportsbooks regularly fight for market share as the top operators in numerous states. The same goes for Ohio, where FanDuel is a clear pick for our second slot.
What makes it so great? First off, the welcome bonus always gets users started off on the right foot.
The real kicker for FanDuel, however, is the user experience. FanDuel is easy on the eyes with a blue-and-white color scheme. The app and desktop site both run like a dream. Building a bet slip is easier at FanDuel than at any other Ohio betting site. Just click the market you’re betting on, repeat, and you can easily place your wagers or combine them into a parlay.
Speaking of parlays, FanDuel has the best same-game parlay tool in the business. You can even build mega-bets with same-game parlay plus, which combines numerous SGPs into one.
Betfred: A top welcome bonus
Betfred rounds out our top three thanks mostly to its welcome bonus, which is unique. Signing up gets you a two-pronged offer:
- $111 in Fred Bets (granted as three $37 increments) after your first $50+ bet settles
- 50% back on combined net losses per week, up to $200 each week for five weeks
Few welcome bonuses last beyond your first deposit and/or bet. Betfred flips the script, giving you the possibility to earn money back for your first five weeks with the platform. The only other sportsbook in Ohio that offers a similar structure is PointsBet.
Betfred keeps the good stuff coming well after the welcome bonus. The sportsbook offers odds boosts and additional promos that rotate. It also has impressive depth and regularly beats out competitors with solid odds. Tack on a rewards program and VIP program, and you’ve got an excellent Ohio sports betting site.
More great sportsbooks in Ohio
Our list doesn’t stop after the top three. Here are additional Ohio betting sites that have a lot to offer.
BetMGM: Another great sportsbook
BetMGM falls just shy of our top three Ohio sports betting sites, but it’s still one of the best. BetMGM recently redesigned its entire mobile app to be more intuitive and user-friendly. The improvement is tangible. The app has a great bet-builder tool and easy-to-understand navigation options.
We particularly like the BetMGM desktop site, which has an amazing and cohesive display of numerous available bets for any given game or match. Few sportsbooks feature the same variety on one screen in as easily-digestible a format as BetMGM.
Other special features include MGM Rewards integration, parlay insurance promos, odds boosts, and a $50 refer-a-friend bonus you can redeem up to 20 times.
BetMGM’s welcome bonus is a $1,000 first bet offer. Make your first wager and you’ll get your bet back up to $1,000 in bonus credits if it loses.
PointsBet: Unique bet type for Ohioans
PointsBet’s status is currently in flux. The sportsbook’s US assets were acquired by Fanatics, but the PointsBet Ohio sportsbook remains live, and it has a lot to offer.
First and foremost, the welcome bonus is fantastic. PointsBet will give you up to $100 in losses back each day for 10 days. The returned losses come in the form of bonus bets, which you must wager with before they become withdrawable.
PointsBet’s second big selling point is the availability of Points Betting. In Points Betting, you win more if you are correct by a larger degree, but you lose more if you’re wrong. It’s a high-risk, high reward, but some bettors may enjoy the format. It’s not available at any other Ohio betting site.
Caesars: Rewards fit for an emperor
Looking for a sportsbook with an amazing rewards program? Caesars Ohio has you covered. The sign-up bonus is very favorable as well.
You can redeem rewards program perks online or at Caesars locations, such as Eldorado Scioto Downs.
One of Caesars’ premiere features is Quick Picks. These are pre-built parlays, usually with 3 or 4 legs. You can add them to your bet slip from the homepage and place wagers within seconds of signing on.
The app experience and desktop site at Caesars leave a lot to be desired, but the site’s other features make up for those setbacks.
Tipico: Great for beginners
We recommend Tipico for beginners or casual bettors because the welcome bonus doesn’t break the bank.
- Deposit $50, get $150
Other Tipico features include “Trending SGPs” similar to Caesars’ Quick Picks. Tipico is also one of the best Ohio betting sites for soccer fans. With roots in Europe, the sportsbook has a strong showing for soccer leagues overseas. Tipico is partnered with the Columbus Crew FC in Ohio.
Tipico’s market depth isn’t much to call home about. Still, most of the sportsbook’s features are strong enough to make it an easy recommendation.
Bet365: International flavor
We like Bet365 for a bevy of reasons. First among them is the welcome bonus. It only requires a $1 bet, which then grants you $200 in bonus credits.
Second, the market variety. Bet365 excels at offering markets for international leagues, including soccer such as World Cup for women, Australian rules rugby, and cricket. Esports are also available, including CS: GO, League of Legends, and Valorant.
The rotating promos for existing users at Bet365 are also excellent. They include special early payout offers if a team you bet on is leading by a certain amount.
Bet365 brings a lot to the table one of the best Ohio sports betting sites Ohio has to offer, and the entire experience is streamlined and polished.
Superbook: We like those odds
We’re getting close to the end of our list, which means we’ll start to sound like a broken record. Superbook has a lot to offer, like every other sportsbook on this list. We particularly appreciate Superbook’s commitment to providing great odds. The site regularly competes with bigger-name sportsbooks, often providing advantageous lines. If you’re an odds shopper, Superbook is a great site for Ohio betting.
The Superbook opening bonus is a first-bet promo of up to $250. Your first bet on odds of -200 or longer the same day you sign up will be returned as bonus funds if it loses.
Betway: Simple and clean
Betway is a no-frills sportsbook. The interface is simple and intuitive without too many bells and whistles muddling the experience.
At Betway Ohio, new users get up to $250 back if their first bet loses. It’s one of the lowest bonus amounts available at Ohio betting sites, but it’s still worth checking out if you think the Betway sportsbook is for you.
The only reason Betway appears at the bottom of our list is its lack of depth. Only a handful of the biggest sports are available. You won’t find a ton by way of unique or niche sports on the site.
Best sportsbook promos in Ohio
Sportsbooks in Ohio offer a wide variety of promotions for users, even after the welcome bonus is long gone. Here’s a look at each sportsbook’s most common promotions. Check with your preferred site(s) for more details on these offers.
Keep in mind these promos are subject to change. Check each sportsbook’s promotions page for the most recent offers,
DraftKings Ohio Promos
- MLB 50% profit boost
- MLB No Sweat Wednesday: get your bet back if you lose
- 100% MLB and NBA same-game parlay profit boost
- Refer-a-friend for up to $100
DraftKings does an amazing job of offering promotions for sports when they’re in season. During the NFL season, for example, you’re bound to find a lot of great football bonuses.
FanDuel Ohio Promos
- NBA No Sweat SGP
- Refer-a-friend for up to $75
FanDuel has a great referral bonus: $75 in bonus bets for each friend you refer (maximum 5).
Betfred Ohio Promos
- Boosted parlay payout
- Daily Betfred boosts select bets
You can take advantage of Betfred boosts to amp up the odds on your selected bets. The same goes for the parlay payouts, which get you strong possible winnings on certain parlays.
BetMGM Ohio Promos
- Refer-a-friend for $50 (up to 20 times)
BetMGM didn’t list many promotions at the time of this writing, but the sportsbook is known to offer odds boosts and similar bonuses. The referral bonus is the best Ohio has to offer; you can refer up to 20 friends for $50 apiece.
PointsBet Ohio Promos
PointsBet didn’t have any promos listed at the time of writing. If Fanatics rebrands PointsBet, you can expect new Ohio promotions on the site.
Caesars Ohio Promos
- Refer-a-friend for up to $100
- Regular profit boosts
Caesars’ promo slate is par for the course. You’ve got a referral bonus and a rotating slate of odds boosts.
Tipico Ohio Promos
- Daily Dinger MLB boost
- Many odds boosts for various sports
Tipico had more than a dozen odds boosts available when we reviewed the Ohio sportsbook. It’s one of the best betting sites in Ohio if you’re on the hunt for advantageous odds boost promotions.
Superbook Ohio Promos
- Refer-a-friend for up to $50
Superbook keeps things simple with its promos. The site lists a referral bonus and not much else.
Bet365 Ohio Promos
- Odds boosts for select markets
- Early payout offers
- Multi-sport 70% parlay bonus
Bet365’s best offer is the early payout. If you bet on a team and they take a significant lead, you’ll get paid out early (even if they go on to lose the game).
Betway Ohio Promos
- $10 bonus bet when you wager $25 or more on parlays or SGPs
Betway gives you a bonus bet for placing a parlay or SGP wager, which is a nice boost to your normal sports betting routine.
Best sportsbook apps in Ohio
There are three clear frontrunners for the best Ohio sports betting app: FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM. These sportsbooks all have a lot of financial backing, and it shows in the apps.
1. FanDuel: best app
If our rankings were based only on the mobile app experience, FanDuel would’ve been our easy top pick. It’s just the best there is, full stop. It’s easy to use. The main menus make navigation simple: you can access your account, promos, your bet slip, and available markets all from the homepage. It’s hard to beat FanDuel if you want a solid app.
2. DraftKings: among the very best
Almost everything we said about FanDuel above also rings true for DraftKings. The only real knock against DraftKings is its aesthetic. The green and black color scheme can be grating on the eyes. Beyond that, though, everything works like a charm.
3. BetMGM: a fresh start
BetMGM revamped its app last year, and the work paid off. Now, BetMGM works as well as DraftKings does. It’s intuitive, and many great options appear on the homepage, including the search bar, games that are currently live, and the promotions page.
Ohio betting site sign-up process
Ready to claim your bonus and get started? Here’s how you can create your account and begin betting at Ohio sports betting apps.
- Download an OH sportsbook app (or visit the desktop site).
- Select “sign up” or similar to start the process.
- Provide all the required details, which include:
- Full name
- Birthdate
- Phone number
- Address
- Password (you’ll be prompted to create one)
- SSN (usually last four digits)
- Government-issued ID
- If required to claim a bonus, enter a promo code.
- Enable geolocation services or download the plugin when prompted.
- Make your first deposit.
That’s everything. Once you follow those steps, you can start betting.
In Ohio, the minimum betting age is 21. You will confirm your age and identity by providing the details we listed above. You must also be physically located in Ohio. Sportsbooks will use your mobile device’s GPS to confirm this. If you bet using a desktop, be prepared to install a specific geolocation plugin. You won’t be able to bet until you confirm you’re in Ohio.
How we rank Ohio’s online sports betting sites
We factor in a huge number of criteria when reviewing sportsbooks. Here are just a few of the primary categories we consider, and which sportsbook best fits that category.
User experience
It goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway. Sportsbooks should be easy to use. This means a smooth experience, fast response times, and an intuitive app.
In this category, FanDuel takes the win.
Bonuses and promos
Sports betting sites in Ohio should offer great welcome bonuses and ongoing promotions for existing users. The more promos and offers, the better.
DraftKings has the widest array of bonuses.
Special features
Odds boost, live streamers, special odds, bet builders, and social features…these things can set a sportsbook apart from the competition.
We give DraftKings the win in this category thanks in major part to its betting groups feature.
Banking methods and withdrawals
Simply put, the more payment and withdrawal options you have, the better. Sportsbooks with more payment methods get a leg up in our rankings.
DraftKings and FanDuel are in a dead heat for first place in this category.
Customer support
You should be able to resolve any issues you have with an online Ohio sportsbook quickly. This means customer support must be top-tier. We take this into account when reviewing Ohio betting sites.
DraftKings has amazing customer service. It’s our pick for the best in this criteria.
Ohio sports teams
- Cleveland Browns (NFL), partnered with Ballybet (not yet live)
- Cincinnati Bengals (NFL), BetFred
- Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA), Caesars
- Cleveland Guardians (MLB), Bet365
- Cincinnati Reds (MLB), BetMGM
- Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL), Fanatics
- FC Cincinnati (MLS), Superbook
- Columbus Crew (MLS), Tipico
- The Ohio State Buckeyes (NCAA)
- Miami University RedHawks (NCAA)
As you can see, most of Ohio’s sports teams are partnered with an existing Ohio betting site.
While some states prohibit betting on in-state colleges, Ohio has no such restrictions, so you can bet on college sports in Ohio, from Columbus to Akron to Mentor.
Ohio betting sites FAQ
Yes. Sports betting is fully legal in Ohio. There are currently 18 sportsbooks live in the state, and you can bet online with any or all of them. Sports betting first became legal in January 2023.
Ohio has 18 sportsbooks live, with more on the way. Top brands are already available in the state. These include BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, PointsBet, Caesars, and many others. The state has a wide variety of sportsbooks with many great bonus offers.
Yes. In fact, FanDuel easily makes our list of Ohio’s top three betting sites. It’s available in the state and partnered with Belterra Park for its online betting license. We recommend FanDuel Ohio for anyone who wants the best possible user experience and mobile app.
Ohio sports betting was legalized in 2022. However, the market wouldn’t launch until January 2023. The New Year brought sports betting to the Buckeye state, with numerous operators joining the fray right away. Since then, the market has grown at a rapid pace.
DraftKings takes the top prize in Ohio. It’s an all-around amazing experience. One of the best features is the betting group option, which lets you interact with your friends and tail (or trash talk) their bets.
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