When sports betting goes live in Ohio on Sunday, eight of the 13 brick-and-mortar sportsbooks set to open will be in two cities and three of the locations will be affiliated with professional sports teams.
In Cincinnati, home to three of the state’s eight professional sports franchises, new books associated with Great American Ballpark and FC Cincinnati will be among the four locations to open, some at 12:01 a.m. or soon after on New Year’s Day. In Cleveland, the new book at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse will be among four physical books to open in that city.
Among this weekend’s highlights will be a chance to see baseball legend Pete Rose at Hard Rock Cincinnati, where he’ll place the first bet. Hard Rock and JACK Entertainment, which has two locations in the Cleveland area, are among those with plans to open when first possible. That will give patrons plenty of opportunity to wager on a full slate of NFL games Sunday, including the Browns visiting the Washington Commanders. The Bengals host the Bills on Monday Night Football the next day, which will also feature a slate of major college bowl games moved from their traditional play on New Year’s Day.
Two Cincinnati sports legends will take part in the launch of BetMGM’s Great American Ballpark sportsbook opening on Sunday, while Caesars Sportsbook will have former Cavaliers stars at its Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse grand opening on Monday.
Here’s a look at the first 13 retail sportsbooks set to open in Ohio:
CINCINNATI
Belterra Park
Sports betting partner: FanDuel
In-person specials: N/A
Opening day plan: Wagering will begin Sunday and former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh open the sportsbook with a first-bet ceremony and ribbon cutting on Jan. 5 at the 2,800-square-foot sportsbook. Belterra has plans to build out a new bar next to the sportsbook, but that will likely not be completed until before March Madness.
Cincinnati Reds at the Machine Room
Sports betting partner: BetMGM
In-person specials: Those placing a wager at the ballpark between Jan. 1-Feb. 8 will be entered into a drawing that has as its grand prize a VIP trip for two to the Reds’ spring training facility. The winner will be selected on March 1.
Opening day plan: BetMGM will take the first bets at Great American Ballpark beginning at 11 a.m. Sunday with a grand opening that includes unveiling the new paint scheme for Kyle Busch’s NASCAR No. 8. Former Reds outfielder George Foster and former Bengals nose tackle Tim Krumrie are scheduled to be on hand. Team mascots will also join the festivities, during which groups of two or more can get five free chicken wings.
The Machine Room is located on the northeast side of the ballpark and can be accessed via the arena plaza level entrance.
FC Cincinnati at Taft’s Ale House
Sports betting partner: SuperBook Sports
In-person specials: N/A
Opening day plan: Wagering will begin at noon Sunday at Taft’s Ale House, located two blocks from TQL Stadium. According to SuperBook, the space will include teller windows and kiosks and will serve as FC Cincinnati’s temporary sports betting home while a permanent venue is built just north of the stadium.
Hard Rock Cincinnati
Sports betting partner: Hard Rock Digital
In-person specials: Hard Rock will offer a $10 bonus bet to the first 100 attendees of the Hard Rock Cincinnati New Year’s Eve Party who post a selfie from the new Hard Rock Sportsbook with the hashtag #TimeToRock on Dec. 31/Jan. 1. Participants must follow @HardRockSB on Twitter to be eligible.
Opening day plan: Pete Rose will headline a full night at Hard Rock when he places the first bet at 12:01 a.m. Sunday. Hall of Fame baseball broadcaster Marty Brennaman, NFL Hall of Fame offensive lineman Anthony Munoz, and other local sports figures will be in attendance. Bengals running back Joe Mixon is to host a ticket-required New Year’s Eve party at the Hard Rock Casino Events Center.
CLEVELAND
Jack Cleveland Casino
Sports betting partner: betJACK
In-person specials: Beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday, consumers who have signed up for the betJACK mobile app can show the app at the casino and receive an entry into a drawing for $1,000 in free bets from betJACK. Winners will be announced at the end of the first and third quarters of the CFP semifinal featuring No. 4 Ohio State vs. No. 1 Georgia in the Peach Bowl.
Opening day plan: JACK Entertainment has stated it will take the first bet just after midnight on Sunday. The sportsbook features a “fusion” table games and sports betting pit and has a 500-square-foot video wall.
JACK Thistledown Racino
Sports betting partner: betJACK
In-person specials: N/A
Opening day plan: JACK Entertainment plans to take first bets just after midnight on Sunday. The Thistledown sportsbook features an 80-foot score ticket, 300 square feet of video walls, and four styles of seating.
MGM Northfield Park
Sports betting partner: BetMGM
In-person specials: Once betting is live, the first 250 people to place a wager will get a free winter hat.
Opening day plan: MGM Northfield will select one customer to place the first retail sports bet “promptly at midnight,” according to a company press release. The new book is located adjacent to the TAP Sports Bar and the casino’s Center Bar.
Rocket Mortgage Field House
Sports betting partner: Caesars Sportsbook
In-person specials: Though Caesars hasn’t released anything specific yet, a company spokesperson said “exciting giveways” will be available throughout the weekend.
Opening day plan: The first wagers will be taken at 9 a.m. Sunday, but Caesars has a big event planned for Monday, when the Cavaliers play the Chicago Bulls. The ceremonial first bet will be placed by a longtime Cavs United member, and there will be a ribbon cutting, appearances by former Cavaliers players, and announcement of a charitable donation.
COLUMBUS
Hollywood Casino Columbus
Sports betting partner: Barstool Sportsbook
In-person specials: Food and beverage specials will be offered throughout the night on New Year’s Eve, and the casino will have a Camaro giveaway as well as a 50/50 bonus via the Hollywood Casino app.
Opening day plan: The first wagers will be accepted at 12:01 a.m. in the Barstool-branded sportsbook.
Scioto Downs Racino
Sports betting partner: Caesars Sportsbook
In-person specials: Though Caesars hasn’t released anything specific yet, a company spokesperson said “exciting giveways” will be available throughout the weekend.
Opening day plan: The first wagers will be accepted at 9 a.m. Sunday.
DAYTON
Hollywood Casino Dayton Raceway
Sports betting partner: Barstool Sportsbook
In-person specials: N/A
Opening day plan: The first wagers will be accepted and a ribbon cutting for the wagering teller space are both set for 12:01 a.m. A second ceremonial ribbon cutting with local officials is scheduled for Monday.
TOLEDO
Hollywood Casino Toledo
Sports betting partner: Barstool Sportsbook
In-person specials: N/A
Opening day plan: The first wagers and a ribbon cutting are set for 12:01 a.m. in a Barstool-branded sportsbook. The mayors of Toledo and Rossford are to be on site for the event.
YOUNGSTOWN
Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley
Retail partner: Barstool Sportsbook
In-person specials: N/A
Opening day plan: The first wagers will be accepted at 12:01 a.m. in a Barstool-branded sportsbook. The casino will celebrate the launch with a free concert featuring the cover band Light Up the Moon starting at 9 p.m. Saturday.
