The Pro Football Hall of Fame on Friday became the first entity of its kind anywhere in the U.S. to apply for a sports betting license, according to the Ohio Casino Control Commission’s weekly update of applicants. The HOF, located in Canton, has plans to partner with Rush Street Interactive to offer in-person and digital wagering, though the OCCC posting does not indicate which company will be either the management service provider for the retail sportsbook or the mobile provider for the HOF’s sports betting app platform.
RSI has not yet applied for a license, and like all other brick-and-mortar gaming locations, the HOF will be entitled to up to two mobile platforms. RSI has two mobile platforms live in other states, its BetRivers brand and its PlaySugarHouse brand.
Penn National Gaming applied for its license June 30, bringing the total to four for mobile management services provider applicants. PNG, which owns four casinos and has eight digital skins (platforms) available, will likely use its Barstool Sportsbook platform for digital gaming. Through an existing deal, DraftKings and PointsBet, both of which previously applied for licenses, will each take one of the PNG’s eight skins.
BetMGM also previously applied for a mobile management services provider license, and has access through its MGM Northfield Casino. Ohio-based JACK Entertainment also previously applied for both Type A and B licenses — which indicate the company is planning for both retail and digital wagering — for its Cleveland and Thistledown locations.
Still waiting on Caesars, FanDuel
The new filings mean that the biggest wagering companies yet to apply are Caesars and FanDuel, both of which have market access and are expected to do so. Caesars currently operates the racino at Scioto Downs and has two skins available, while FanDuel has access via an existing deal with Boyd Gaming, which owns and operates the BelTerra racino.
The Friday posting is the third of five ahead of a July 15 deadline for the first pool of applicants. The agency has stated that any entity that applies by July 15 will be eligible to go live on Jan. 1, the state’s universal launch date.
Ohio’s new law allows for a wide range of entities to take part in sports betting. In addition to the HOF, professional sports teams, including the NFL’s Bengals and Browns, are eligible to apply, though none have yet. The HOF applied for both Type A and Type B licenses.
Elys Gameboard Technologies became the first to apply for a Type C sports gaming proprietor license when it did so on June 29. Type C licensees will offer wagering on behalf of the lottery.
A second application window for Type C sports gaming hosts and second-designated mobile management services providers will be open from July 15-Aug. 15.
