Sports franchises including the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Guardians, and Cincinnati Reds and gaming properties including Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati and Scioto Downs (Caesars) lead an expansive list of the latest stakeholders to apply for mobile sports betting licenses in Ohio. They applied during the final week of the first installment window in order to receive consideration to take part in the universal launch date of Jan. 1, 2023.
The sports teams, Hard Rock, and others all submitted applications for Type A and Type B proprietor licenses, according to the weekly updated list posted late Friday by the Ohio Casino Control Commission. Type A applicants that can provide mobile betting include professional sports franchises, casinos, and racinos, with up to 25 Type A licenses to be issued. Type B licenses are for retail sportsbooks, with up to 40 available.
Still absent from the list of Mobile Management Services Provider (MMSP) applicants is Rush Street Interactive, though it is listed as the management services provider for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, meaning it will likely operate the retail sportsbook there, though the HOF listed Instabet as its primary mobile provider.
Caesars Sportsbook, which as of last week was the biggest operator not to have submitted an application, on Monday applied for an MMSP license under its William Hill brand. Scioto Downs, owned by Caesars’ El Dorado Resorts, also on Monday applied for both Type A and B licenses and listed William Hill as its 1st Mobile Management Services Provider and Management Services Provider, meaning it will operate both a retail book and digital platform.
Meeting the first installment deadline
Friday served as the deadline for the first application window, which also served as the beginning of the second universal start date application window, which is designated for Type C sports gaming hosts and second-designated Mobile Management Services Providers. Type C applicants include sports bars and restaurants interested in housing sports betting kiosks.
The commission notes applicants that do not apply during the appropriate time window are still eligible to apply for licenses, but are not guaranteed consideration in time for the Jan. 1 universal launch date.
Many other stakeholders also submitted applications this week, meeting the first installment deadline. Among those listed as having newly applied for Type A and Type B licenses are the NHL Columbus Blue Jackets, MGM Northfield Park, Scioto Downs, Muirfield Village Golf Club, Hollywood Casino Columbus, Hollywood Gaming Dayton Raceway, Belterra Park, Hollywood Casino Toledo, Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley, MLS FC Cincinnati, Miami Valley Gaming and Racing, and Geneva Sports.
The MLS Columbus Crew submitted an application for a Type A license while Ravencrest Partners, JSJ Club (Harry Buffalo), Phantom Fireworks, and S&S (Cedar Downs) have applied for Type B licenses.
Plenty of Type C, MMSP applicants apply
Green Bear Gaming Development, Intralot, and Skybox Sports Network submitted applications for Type C proprietor licenses, joining Elys Game Technology and Wright Bet Ventures, which had already applied.
American Wagering, Seminole Hard Rock, SBOpco, Parx Interactive Ohio, Underdog Sports Wagering, Out The Gate, and Bally’s Interactive submitted applications for MMSP licenses and Management Services Provider licenses.
Betfred Sports, Tipico, Fubo Gaming, Hillside Ohio, PlayUp Interactive OH, Instabet, Underdog Sports Wagering, and Gamewise applied for MMSP licenses.
The list of applicants for supplier licenses include: Genius Sports Media, ASF Ltd., SG Gaming, SBTech Malta Limited, GeoComply Solutions, GAN Nevada, NYX Digital Gaming (USA), SUZOHAPP Gaming Solutions, IGT, Amelco UK Limited, Continent 8, SimpleBet, Swish Analytics Ohio, IMG Arena US, Internet Sports International, Marown Limited, PT Services (Delaware), Sportradar Solutions, Sports Information Services Limited (Kambi), Stadium Technology Group, LexisNexis Risk Solutions FL, Neogames Solutions, Onfido, Plannatech (USA) Corporation, Shape Games A/S, Shufti Pro Limited, Skybox Sports Network, Socure Inc., SportsContentCo, and White Hat Gaming.
The Cincinnati Bengals, FanDuel, and Fanatics previously became recent applicants for licenses. Until Friday, the Bengals had represented the only professional sports franchise in Ohio to apply for a license.
The Ohio Lottery Commission has released a list of approximately 850 businesses across the state that could be approved to have sports betting kiosks. They’re pre-approved to apply for Type C licenses, but they still must go through the process to receive final approval.
The casino commission, meanwhile, is scheduled to hold its monthly meeting on Monday.
