Ohio Sports Betting Sites 2024
Ohio sports betting is live and thriving in 2024. While the Buckeye State is home to 20 in-state sportsbooks, players seeking improved deals and better returns from their wagers can find these opportunities at offshore betting sites.
Sports betting in Ohio has never been bigger. While the likes of BetMGM and Caesars grab the headlines with big sponsorship deals, you might be looking beyond the big boys to find improved bonuses, offers, and odds.
In this guide, we’ll explain the Ohio sports betting landscape and answer questions about what sports you can bet on in Ohio. Learn about top recommended sportsbooks, what deals are available, and why offshore sites offer more than what Ohio-based bookmakers can offer.
Ohio Sports Betting – Quick Overview
Best Online Sportsbooks Available for Ohio Residents
Finding the right sportsbook to join has never been easier. We’ve made the choice simple by reviewing the top-rated sportsbooks available to Ohio residents in 2024 by category.
- BetOnline – Best Sportsbook Site Overall for Ohio Bettors
- MyBookie – Best Site for Placing Live Bets
- BetUS – Best Sportsbook for Bonuses and Promotions
- BetOnline – Best Online Betting Site for Lucrative Contests
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BetOnline – Best Sportsbook Site Overall for Ohio Bettors
Ohio bettors get the best overall deal when they play at BetOnline. The site offers an extensive sportsbook with bet options not found at other sites, such as esports, politics, and collegiate betting. The interactive site is ideal for in-game parlays and live bets on Ohio teams such as the MLB’s Cincinnati Bengals and Reds.
BetOnline also offers daily odds boosts on pro sports and quick links to the biggest markets like NFL and MLB. New players can trigger a 50% welcome bonus up to $1,000 using the code BET1000 on the first deposit (min. deposit $55). Choose from a full range of 20 banking methods, including VISA payments from KeyBank, and get lightning-fast withdrawal speeds when using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum.
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MyBookie – Best Site for Placing Live Bets
MyBookie operates the best live betting portal for Ohioans in the state. The 24/7 live bet hub provides minute-by-minute in-play odds from sports games around the world. This includes live Big Ten football betting on all Ohio State games, and live moneyline and props on Bearcats games.
Live streaming is also available at MyBookie, so you can bet alongside all the action. Being able to watch and bet on live games in real time is the best way to maximize your win potential since you can make more accurate predictions. MyBookie has a 50% matched up to $1,000 welcome bonus and 50% back on all sports reloads. Bonus funds are all available to play on live odds.
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BetUS – Best Sportsbook for Bonuses and Promotions
If you’re seeking a sportsbook that pays back again and again then BetUS is the place for you. The 125% welcome bonus matches your first deposit up to $3,125 and is the ideal starting point. Wagering of 10x is better than manywelcome offers that are as high as 35x at the top bonus betting sites. The minimum deposit here is $100 and your bonus is split between a 100% match on sports, and 25% match on the casino. You also get up to 30 risk free bets! Use the promo code JOIN125 to get started.
Crypto players can trigger a 200% welcome bonus using the JOIN200 code. Here, you get 150% matched on sports up to $3,750, and 50% on casino credits up to $1,250. The sports rollover is 15x and the minimum deposit is, again, $100.
These two bonuses combined are great, but existing players can get even more. Get 10% back when you reload with cash and 100% with crypto, access exclusive offers and featured events. Earn 300% for every friend you successfully refer to the site.
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BetNow – Best Online Betting Site for Lucrative Contests
If you love testing your knowledge of the Browns and Bengals in the NFL, or backing the Cavaliers to glory in the Eastern Central, then BetNow is the ideal site for you. BetNow doesn’t just feature a great array of sports bet options, but also gives players access to contests.
The NFL King of the Hill is perfect for testing your handicapping skills and chasing $10,000 cash prizes. Reds fans can compete in the Grand Slam Contest, a $25,000 weekly predictor game where you need to predict 28 straight up winners. The Weekly NBA Contest is similar, but involves just 14 matchups. Will your loyalty to the Cavs be stretched too far?
And there’s no bigger prize during March Madness than the $1,000,000 Bracket Madness competition. Simply play out your bracket and the most accurate player wins a $350,000 first prize! Would you back Ohio State to win March Madness this year?
Comparing Betting Sites Available to OH Bettors
Still stuck on which sportsbook to join? Compare each of our top-reviewed sites available to OH residents here:
| Sportsbook | Min. Deposit | Welcome Bonus | Best For: | Link to Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetOnline | $20 | 50% matched up to $1,000 | Ohio betting options | Read review |
| MyBookie | $20 | 50% matched up to $1,000 | Live betting | Read review |
| BetUS | $10 | 125% matched up to $3,125 | Bonuses and promotions | Read review |
| BetNow | $10 | 150% matched up to $225 | Lucrative contests | Read review |
How We Select the Top Sportsbooks for Ohio Gamblers
Our reviewers are all experts in creating sportsbook reviews and we make sure they report back on critical features that are important to Ohio gamblers. This ranges from player safety protocols through to the range and variety of wagers available. Here are the core factors sportsbooks must achieve in order to get our approval and recommendation:
How to Choose the Best Online Betting Site for Your Needs
Now you know what we look for when making our Ohio sportsbook recommendations, it’s time to think about what you want from your betting experience. Before making your choice, check out our advice below on how to select an OH online sports betting platform that meets your requirements.
Bet on Sports in OH
The big thing to look out for is whether your chosen sportsbook offers odds on the OH teams you want to bet on! Sportsbooks available to Ohio residents naturally provide odds on big teams like the Browns, Cavaliers, and Reds. However, in-state sportsbooks cannot give odds on collegiate teams. Therefore, bettors look to offshore bookies for lines on the Bearcats and Ohio State.
Preferred Payment Methods
Think about how you are going to fund your sportsbook deposits and where you want your winnings to go. Most OH sportsbooks offer the standard range of payment options, including VISA, Mastercard, e-wallets and direct bank transfers. However, offshore sites are also able to process payments at crypto betting sites, and courier check payments. So, if you want to bet with crypto, then an offshore site is tbe the smarter option.
Competitive Odds
Sportsbooks try to stand out by offering price boosts and other deals, but the very best are able to deliver competitive odds on a range of sports. Look for reduced juice on Ohioan teams such as the Cavaliers and Browns, and take advantage of sports-specific promos available. If a sportsbook doesn’t offer the competitive odds you want, then try another one of our recommended sportsbooks.
Do I Need to Download an App?
Think about how and where you want to bet. If you’re planning to wager via your phone, then look for sportsbooks that offer a downloadable app or optimized betting site. Browser sites are often just as good as the best sports betting apps because they replicate the desktop experience and don’t require any additional verifications to launch (and they don’t take up extra storage space on your smartphone).
What Budget Do I Need?
Setting a budget is crucial to ensuring you have a fun and profitable time at a sportsbook. No matter your wealth, always set a limit and never go beyond it. The best sportsbooks provide Ohioans with advice on setting budgets and give players the option to set bet and deposit limits. If you’re on a small budget, then look for welcome offers that require small deposits to trigger, and low-amount withdrawal options. Smart bankroll management in sports betting is always a smart factor to consider.
Most Popular Teams to Bet On in Ohio
Ohio is the seventh most populous state in America and so it’s no wonder it is home to some of the country’s elite sports teams. You can find two pro football teams at NFL betting sites, and two pro baseball teams as MLB betting options. This is a testament to just how sports-mad the Buckeye State is.
This gives Ohioans an advantage when seeking better value from sportsbooks because they have to work extra hard for your business. It is one of the top states for betting lines and odds, and here are the in-state pro teams you can wager on:
NFL
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Cleveland Browns
MLB
- Cincinnati Reds
- Cleveland Guardians
NHL
- Columbus Blue Jackets
MLS
- Columbus Crew
- FC Cincinnati
Ohio also has a rich history of collegiate sports success. Offshore sites provide bettors with college basketball betting and college football betting options, as well as minor league teams, including the following:
College Football
- Ohio State Buckeyes
- Cincinnati Bearcats
College Basketball
- Ohio Bobcats
Minor League Baseball
- Columbus Clippers (Triple-A)
- Toledo Mud Hens (Triple-A)
Hockey
- Cleveland Monsters (AHL)
The Legality of Sports Betting in Ohio
Sports betting is legal in Ohio, both online and in-person. Ohio officially began regulating its sports betting industry on Jan 1, 2023 and 13 retail sportsbooks have since opened. State regulations permit as many as 25 online sportsbook licenses in Ohio, and these are yet to be maxed out.
Residents in Ohio wagered $1.1bn on sports in January 2023, the first month the industry was regulated in-state. It generated $208m in revenue for its sportsbooks. However, the state restricts some forms of bets, which means residents need to look elsewhere to place certain wagers.
You cannot, for example, bet on college sports, politics, entertainment, or esports at OH-based sportsbooks. Nor can you bet with crypto. Players seeking these options can head to offshore sites instead. These sites, like those we recommend, are not prohibited by state or federal laws, and allow bettors to access more bet options than ever before!
Ohio Sports Betting Timeline
Ohio was not the first state in America to fully embrace sports betting. In fact, state legislators were initially cautious about diving in too fast when the regulated market opened up in 2018. However, this has proved a smart decision as the industry is now thriving. Here’s a quick timeline of the key sports betting events in Ohio.
How Can I Bet Online in Ohio?
There are plenty of options when it comes to betting online in Ohio. The most important thing to consider, as a bettor, is what you want from your wagering experience. You can opt for state-regulated sites, or go with offshore sportsbooks that provide a wider range of bet options.
Whichever way you go, here are the steps to take when signing up to bet online in OH:
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Explore the list of OH sportsbooks recommended by our experts and choose your preference. Think about what you want. A site that offers reduced vigorish might not have the welcome offer you need. Take your time and remember you can always join another site if you don’t find your perfect match the first time.
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Go through the sign-up process at your chosen sportsbook. Create a username and save your password, provide basic details such as your name, age, and postal address, and link your account to an email. You may need to verify your account at this stage. Then, head to the cashier and make your deposit, ensuring you enter any promo code you might need at this stage.
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Once your deposit is complete you might have your bonus funds already charged to your account. Or you might need to place a qualifying bet first before accessing your bonus. Either way, if your bonus doesn’t work for some reason then speak to customer service and they will help you out.
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Now you’re armed with a charged account and your bonuses, it’s time to place your bets! Remember, offshore sites have a great range of OH sports betting options, including wagers on collegiate teams and state politics. Explore your sportsbook and use the search bar to, for example, quickly find the latest odds for Cincinnati Bearcats. From there, you can click on the wager you want to make, enter your bet in the slip, and click Place Bet to complete the process!
Tips for Successful OH Sports Betting
OH sports betting is a little different from other states due to the sheer wealth of options available in the Buckeye State. After all, not many places can boast so many pro teams, minor league teams, and collegiate teams.
Preparation and planning are therefore important when it comes to betting on sports in Ohio. Below are some quick strategy points when getting started:
Always set a budget and never go beyond your limit. Bankroll management can transform your betting fortunes but only if you’re disciplined. It’s almost impossible to bet your way out of a hole so, if you lose a few bets and hit your daily, weekly, or monthly limit then stop. Equally, smart bankroll management is about knowing when to cash in. Set a goal when betting on sports and, when you reach it, make that withdrawal.
Here at The Sports Geek we employ expert analysts from around the country to dig deeper into the odds and offers at top sportsbooks. Use our sports betting tips page to find value each week on Ohioan teams, from pro football through to collegiate games.
Knowledge is king when betting on sports. Ohio has a lot of sports to follow so you need to be sure you’re up to date with everything that’s going on. Watch games, read the news, check out video analysis, and listen to podcasts about your favorite teams. The more you know, the smarter your bets.
Betting is easier and a more successful venture when you are comfortable. So, make sure you’re using the odds type is suits you. Choose between American, decimal, and fractional odds, and find a site that offers your preference. Read our guide on how betting odds work for more info.
Online Gambling News from Ohio
Responsible Gambling for Ohio Residents
Be sure to gamble responsibly at whichever site you choose to join. Ohio has a passionate sports community and that also means there are more resources than many other states for those suffering from problem gambling.
You can read our responsible gambling guide for more information and check out the follow OH resources below:
Problem Gambling Network of Ohio:
- Phone: +1 (614)750-9899
- Email: info@pgnohio.org
- Phone: 1-800-589-9966
- Contact form
- Phone: 1-800-GAMBLER
- Live chat: 1800gamblerchat.org
- Text: 800GAM
- Phone: (909) 931-9056
- Fax: (909) 931-9059
