The Ohio Slate is a weekly look at developments in Ohio’s gaming industry – including betting angles – as the state prepares to launch legal sportsbooks on Jan. 1, 2023
There are 101 days until legal sports betting apps become an option in Ohio.
Ohio Casino Control Commission Executive Director Matt Schuler announced weeks ago the universal launch date for sports wagering is Jan. 1, 2023, “once the ball drops in Times Square.” Until then, the commission has plenty of work to get the sports betting system in place.
The commission offered reminders during its meeting Wednesday about important deadlines fast approaching that concern employee applications, holding company forms, and compliance material submissions. The commission noted that applications for proprietor, services provider, or supplier licenses are due by Oct. 5 in order to guarantee consideration to begin work on the universal start date.
Also, the commission announced that complete, final, and commission-approved responsible gaming plans, required procedures, and equipment test reports must be submitted by Nov. 2, which is also the deadline for all standard sports wagering employee applications.
Hamilton County minority inclusion rate listed at 2%
A total of 45 Type C sports betting licenses were approved for applicants in Hamilton County midway through September. Only one of the licenses, which allow establishments to house sports betting kiosks, was awarded to a Black-owned bar, reports Cincinnati ABC affiliate WCPO.
It raises concern about racial disparity in the distribution of Type C sports betting licenses. House Bill 29, which legalized sports betting in Ohio, requires that a racial disparity study be conducted to show the percentage of Type C sports betting license holders that are minorities. However, there is no timeline for when the disparity study must be done, or any indication what will be done as a result of the study.
Poll finds small minority interested in making bets
A statewide poll conducted by NBC4, Emerson College and The Hill reported that 84% of Ohioans do not plan to wager on sports at all. The poll also revealed that 8% of Ohioans who do plan to bet on sports will do so through a combination of online and in-person wagering. A thousand Ohioans took part in the online survey conducted on Sept. 12-13.
Meanwhile, a local sports radio station in Lima conducted a much smaller poll on Twitter, with a far higher percentage of its respondents planning to wager on sports once legal betting is available. Out of 44 respondents, 45.5% said they planned to bet on sports regularly once it becomes legal in Ohio.
Bengals favored over Jets
The New York Jets have an opportunity for the second straight week to defy the odds and defeat a team from Ohio that is favored by the sportsbooks.
They’re playing host on Sunday to the winless Cincinnati Bengals (0-2). The matchup with the defending AFC champions comes a week after the Jets (1-1) pulled off an improbable 31-30 comeback victory over the Cleveland Browns (1-1).
Gauging Bengals locker room mood in wake of an 0-2 start #CincinnatiBengals #Bengals #BengalsFootball https://t.co/vYeYaNMCh0
— Bengals Fans (@BengalsViews) September 22, 2022
Despite early season struggles, the Bengals — losers in Week 1 at home to Pittsburgh and losers in Week 2 at Dallas — head to New York with the sportsbooks projecting them as favorites over the Jets.
FanDuel, PointsBet, and DraftKings have the Bengals as 5.5-point favorites, while Caesars Sportsbook favors them by 5. FanDuel has the moneyline at -235 for Cincinnati and +194 for New York, while PointsBet has the moneyline at -225 for Cincinnati and +185 for New York.
FanDuel has the over/under set at 45.5, with the others using 45.
DraftKings has Joe Mixon with odds as the most likely to score a touchdown during the contest, at -160, with Ja’Marr Chase at -120.
Ohio college football quick hits
Third-ranked Ohio State, Cincinnati, and Toledo are all favorites this weekend.
FanDuel has the Buckeyes (3-0) as 18.5-point favorites to win their Big Ten opener over Wisconsin (2-1), while DraftKings has the spread at 19.
FanDuel and PointsBet have the Cincinnati Bearcats (2-1) as a 16.5-point favorite playing at home against undefeated Indiana (3-0). The Bearcats have won 28 consecutive home games.
FanDuel lists Toledo (2-1) as a 2.5-point favorite traveling west to play at San Diego State (1-2), while PointsBet has the Rockets as 3-point favorites.
Meanwhile, FanDuel and PointsBet have Kent State (1-2) as a huge underdog playing at No. 1 ranked Georgia (3-0). FanDuel has Georgia as a 44.5-point favorite, while PointsBet has the Bulldogs as 45-point favorites.
FanDuel and DraftKings list Akron (1-2) as a 26.5-point underdog taking on Liberty (2-1). FanDuel also has Bowling Green (1-2) as a 30.5-point underdog facing Mississippi State (2-1).
DraftKings has Miami (Ohio) University (1-2) as a 7-point underdog against Northwestern (1-2), while FanDuel lists the RedHawks as 7.5-point underdogs.
ICYMI: What happened in Ohio in gaming this week
Cavaliers, Bengals, Guardians Approved For Sports Betting Licenses
Browns Favored Over Steelers In AFC North Showdown Thursday Night
The Caught-Off-Guardians, MLB’s Most Unlikely Playoff Contender
Image: Blundell Design
