More than 11 million sports betting transactions were recorded in Ohio on Sunday and Monday, according to GeoComply. The geolocation and fraud specialist shared the numbers Tuesday through a press release.
Sports betting launched in Ohio on Sunday with more than a dozen mobile sportsbooks going live in the state, including Barstool Sportsbook, BetMGM, BetRivers, bet365, Caesars Sportsbook, FanDuel, DraftKings, and PointsBet.
“We are thrilled to welcome another state into the regulated online sports betting sector. As expected, residents of the Buckeye State enthusiastically greeted the market at the moment the calendar changed over to 2023,” GeoComply Senior Vice President of Compliance Lindsay Slader said in the press release.
Inside the numbers
Ohio’s 11.3 million geolocation transactions on Sunday and Monday paced all U.S. states during that time period, according to GeoComply. New York was second with 9.3 million transactions, while Pennsylvania was third with just over 8 million.
In Ohio, the most geolocation transactions occurred in the Cincinnati area, where more than 1.9 million were recorded. Unfortunately for Ohio State fans around Columbus, which logged more than a million transactions over the two-day period, the Buckeyes fell a point short of making next Monday’s national title game.
Statewide, there were 234,000 geolocation transactions between 12-1 a.m. ET alone on Sunday. Mobile operators offering a range of promotions certainly helped whet bettors’ appetites.
“Today, about 44 percent of the American population can bet online with legal and responsible operators,” Slader said. “The launch of regulated online sports betting in Ohio will better protect its citizens, with an increased commitment to responsible gambling and new funding for critical state programs.”
Ohio sports roundup
Just as sports betting launched in the state at midnight, Ohio State’s football team lost to Georgia on a missed 50-yard field goal. The No. 1 Bulldogs prevailed 42-41, denying the Buckeyes a shot at a national championship.
By request, here is the multicam view of the feed from Times Square, All-22, and ESPN, Georgia, and Ohio State radio calls, as it happened onscreen live: pic.twitter.com/k775T4VNTo
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) January 1, 2023
Ohioans had their first chance to place a legal bet on the Cleveland Browns, and those backing them as a slight underdog were rewarded when they beat the Washington Commanders 24-10 on Sunday.
In other action of the state’s pro teams, Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell dropped 71 points Monday in an overtime win over the Chicago Bulls. Mitchell’s point total was set at 29.5, which he easily surpassed. Mitchell’s 71 points were the most scored in an NBA game since Kobe Bryant’s 81-point performance against the Toronto Raptors in 2006.
On Monday Night Football, the Cincinnati Bengals’ game with the Buffalo Bills was suspended in the second quarter when Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac incident on the field. Hamlin is currently in critical condition at a Cincinnati hospital.
Some sportsbooks have already issued refunds to bettors on the contest, as the NFL announced the game won’t be resumed this week. The Bengals lead the AFC North heading into their Week 18 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens.
