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For the last decade, Ohio has dominated the sports world with National Championships, NBA Championships, a close call in the 2016 World Series, and the Bengals’ improbable run to the Super Bowl after a 30+ year playoff win drought in 2022.
When it comes to sports in the early 21st Century, you cannot tell the whole story without talking about the Buckeye State. But when it comes to the sports betting world, Ohio is just now entering the conversation.
BetMGM Sportsbook OH App Apple Store + Google Play Scores
As the 7th-largest state in the U.S., Ohio is home to 11 million+ residents. It is coupled with its rich sports history. Those two stats are the main reason why Ohio is considered a potential top market for legal sports betting. The only thing missing before 2023 was the legal infrastructure.
On December 8, 2021, the Ohio House and Senate passed H.B. 29, paving the way for legalized sports betting. Just as the ink was drying on Governor Mike DeWine’s signature, speculation began about which sportsbooks would be the first to set up operations in Ohio. Among those big names mentioned, BetMGM roared to the front.
After making inroads within New York and other big market states, there’s no reason Ohioans shouldn’t fall in love with the King of the Sports Betting Jungle. So let’s take the time to get acquainted with BetMGM and all they can offer to Buckeye bettors now that the green light has been given from Columbus.
After all, while the Lion may have been sleeping in 2022, you’re going to hear its roar echo from Cincinnati to Akron now that 2023 is upon us. Ohio sports betting has officially launched! Let’s jump into the details.
BetMGM OH New Customer Offer
Now that we are well into 2023, bettors can register and begin making real money wagers on BetMGM right now.
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T&C
21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. AZ, CO, DC, IA, IL, IN, LA, KS, KY, MA, MD, MI, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY. Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA). 21+ to wager. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA). Participant must complete the Wagering. Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. US Promotional Offers Not Available in MS, NY, NV, ON, or PR. Visit BetMGM.com for Terms & Conditions.
OH License Partner
BetMGM Northfield Park
Online Launch
January 1, 2023
Create your account using the BetMGM Ohio bonus code OHBETS to receive an exclusive offer granting you up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets. Bonus bets expire in seven days. One new customer offer Only. Additional terms and conditions apply.
When Did BetMGM Launch in Ohio?
While Columbus spent 2022 hammering out the finer details of which sportsbooks could begin accepting wagers in Ohio, the sports betting market officially launched on January 1, 2023.
This should be music to the ears of Ohio bettors, who are now able to place a bet on the defending AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals’ playoff run either online or at a licensed retail location.
For more information on BetMGM Bonus Code and promotions available to Ohio players, visit the BetMGM promotions page to explore the latest opportunities.
BetMGM’s Brand Reputation
With a parent company as widely recognized in the casino gaming and sports betting world, as well as Hollywood, it’s easy to see how BetMGM has been able to gain loyal users. With a large selection of markets, intuitive parlay offers, and a solid customer service team, BetMGM has been able to capitalize on their parent company’s brand recognition, and not just lean on it.
BetMGM is currently live across the country in states like New Jersey, Arizona, Michigan, Kansas, Iowa, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Colorado, and even New York. This happens as they begin their campaign to entice new bettors into the fold. With a well-known MGM name and mascot, it’s no surprise why they’re kings of the online sports betting jungle.
After all, Kevin Garnett and Jaime Foxx don’t endorse your product unless it’s top of the line.
Signing Up
Signing up and registering an account with BetMGM is easier than ever, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements. Ohio’s legal casino gaming age is 21 years old, which holds true for sports betting too. As bettors may also know, you will need to be physically located within the boundaries of Ohio to wager.
You can still view the app from outside of the state, but without being able to place a bet. In addition, you don’t need to be a permanent resident of Ohio to place a wager with an Ohio sportsbook.
If you happen to be passing through when your college team faces off against Ohio State, or perhaps you’re finally getting that Rock and Roll Hall of Fame visit off your bucket list, you can still place a parlay while marveling over Prince’s guitars. But first, you have to register your account.
By clicking on the gold “Register” button on the home screen, you’ll begin the account registration process.
Users will be asked for personal information such as first and last name, phone number, address, and social security number (only the last 4 digits). Afterward, a newly minted account will be ready for a deposit, and players can wager away to their heart’s content.
The process takes 5 minutes and is supremely secure, as BetMGM follows industry-standard security protocols when handling sensitive information.
Ease of Payouts
As Ohio will now find out, BetMGM offers customers a wide variety of methods when it comes to funding their accounts and withdrawing their winnings. Depositing money into your account is quick and painless with BetMGM. It begins with clicking the gold box labeled “Deposit” next to your account number.
And remember, always check for a deposit bonus and other offers that may be hiding in your inbox. BetMGM is known for sending some fun surprises to customers. Here are some deposit methods BetMGM accepts (or my soon be accepting) in Ohio:
Debit/Credit Card
Online Banking
PayPal
eCheck
Play+ Card
BetMGM Gift Card
Cash at a Hotel Kiosk/Casino Cage
Bank Wire Transfer
Skrill
BetMGM typically requires a minimum deposit of $10, but this number can vary from method to method. Players should also always research their chosen banking methods. Deposits are normally processed instantaneously, but this can also vary from method to method.
Much like other online sportsbooks, there are fewer withdrawal options. This may force some players to choose a different method to retrieve their winnings. Here’s a look at a handful of potential withdrawal methods BetMGM offers:
eCheck
Play+ Card
PayPal
Skrill
Cash at a Hotel Kiosk/Casino Cage
Check by Mail
Online Banking
Desktop and Mobile App Overview
When the average sports fan thinks about online sports betting, the inclination is to believe that all sportsbooks operate via mobile apps. That’s half true, as sportsbooks also offer desktop interfaces, BetMGM being one of those sportsbooks.
However, where BetMGM breaks from the norm is through offering a better betting experience on a computer than on a mobile device.
Ohio Mobile App
While a fantastic mobile app should be a sportsbook’s crown jewel, the unfortunate truth is that BetMGM’s app is seriously lagging behind the rest of the industry. There are a few hidden gems like the in-game stats and Gametime view, but besides a few bells and whistles, the app disappoints.
At times it feels like BetMGM hastily uploaded the web browser version of the site into a quickly coded app, as the mobile interface feels clunky and slow. All in all, if there’s one aspect of their operation that desperately needs an upgrade and some TLC, it’s the mobile interface.
Desktop Interface
Fortunately, the desktop interface makes up for all the faults of the mobile app. With a clean design, simple navigation, and a control center feel, it puts you in control of your gaming experience. With every sport laid out in front of you, a responsive bet slip, and a clearly marked promotions page, the desktop experience is fantastic.
Seriously, if you are a mobile sports betting enthusiast, who refuses to use a desktop interface, we implore you to check out BetMGM’s site. We believe you’ll be pleasantly surprised and maybe even converted.
Security of Sports Betting in Ohio
Along with the acceleration of sports betting across the country, new users and legislators have voiced concerns about the security and safety of your personal information and finances. Before 2018, the only online sportsbooks were offshore websites that didn’t offer customers a complete feeling of security.
However, now that states are taking the reins, sports bettors can breathe easy, knowing their safety and security are paramount.
BetMGM utilizes SSL protection, or Secure Socket Layer, to secure their site. Using an SSL to keep personal information safe is industry standard, not just in the world of sports betting but also in the financial sector. But, if you feel there’s an issue with the security of your account, don’t hesitate to reach out to BetMGM, and they’ll be able to help.
Another layer of security comes in the form of Ohio’s regulatory oversight, in this case, the Ohio Casino Control Commission. That means the OCCC is keeping a close eye on the operations of BetMGM and is ensuring that they stay within the legal guidelines. Don’t worry about a thing; the OCCC has your back.
And the last level of security is BetMGM’s Ohio casino partner, MGM Northfield Park. As we’ve seen in other states, Ohio’s legislation requires an online sportsbook to be tethered to a retail, brick-and-mortar casino within the state. In this instance, BetMGM’s Northfield Park location is that entity.
That means that the casino will back your wagers. There’s no need to worry about any kind of financial issue since the casino supports the sportsbook. You should feel as safe and secure as you would with a bet placed in a retail sportsbook.
Available Markets and Bet Types
You don’t get to be a big name in the sports betting world without offering some of the industry’s premier markets and bet types. As the Ohio market now moves into its post-launch phase, you’ll see just how important it is for a sportsbook to offer a wide variety of markets and a tasty selection of bet types. Thankfully, BetMGM sticks the landing on both counts.
BetMGM headlines their betting markets with heavy hitters, offering competitive lines and boosts for the NBA, MLB, NHL, and NFL. In the college world, BetMGM offers markets in collegiate athletics, which is an attractive feature for many Ohioans.
Now that 2023 has arrived, the state will allow traditional wagering on collegiate sporting events involving Ohio-based schools or events taking place in Ohio, but will not allow proposition bets linked to in-state college teams (in-state prop bets for professional in-state teams are still allowed). Here’s a smattering of the betting markets BetMGM has offered in other states:
Baseball
Basketball
Boxing
Football
Formula 1 Racing
Golf
Handball
Hockey
Lacrosse
Badminton
Cricket
Cycling
Darts
MMA
NASCAR
Soccer
Table Tennis
Tennis
Volleyball
Pool
Snooker
Rugby League
Rugby Union
So now that you’ve found your market and you’re ready to place a wager:
What kind of wager are you going to place? A moneyline bet on the Blue Jackets? How about the Cavaliers -4 against LeBron and the Lakers? Or maybe you’ve got a good feeling about the Guardians in 2023 and want to place a futures wager in the offseason that they’ll win the World Series?
BetMGM has you covered by offering a myriad of ways for you to go with your gut and place the bet your heart desires.
Moneyline
Moneyline is one of the most straightforward wagers you can make. A moneyline bet is a wager placed on one team to win a game. That’s it. Got a good feeling about the Reds game tonight? Pick a winner and roll with it. Have you been watching the Akron Zips, and you know they’ve got Toledo beat in tonight’s game? Simply pick a team and place your bet. It’s as simple as that!
Point Spread
This is where things get interesting. A point spread bet is similar to a moneyline bet, but the wager has a few more moving components. Don’t worry, we’ll explain.
To put it in layman’s terms, BetMGM will offer a point differential between the two teams in a contest. Let’s say the team you’re going to wager on has a minus (-) ahead of their point spread. That means they’re the favorite and will need to win the game by at least that many points.
Now, imagine the team you intended to place your bet on has a plus (+) ahead of their point spread. That makes them the underdog. Consequently, you’d be betting they win the game OR lose by less than the number of points given. Here’s an example.
The Baltimore Ravens are facing off against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals are favored at -2.5, and the Ravens are offered at +2.5. If you were to bet on the Bengals, you would need the Bengals to win and for the winning margin to be 3 points or more.
So if Joe Burrow leads the Bengals to a 21-19 victory, your bet would fall just outside of the point spread, resulting in a loss. If they won 23-20, they would cover the 2.5 – resulting in a win.
However, if you bet on the Ravens at +2.5 and the game ends 21-19, your wager would be successful! Why? Because you wagered on the Ravens to win the game OR lose by less than 3 points. Since the game ended with a 2-point difference, the Ravens have covered the spread!
Total Points (Over/Under)
While moneyline wagers and point spread bets deal with the winner and loser of the game, total points wagers consider the entire game. As the name suggests, a total points wager is placed on the total number of points scored in a game. This is in the form of wagering if the total will equal a number over or under a set amount.
In that same game between the Ravens and Bengals, our score was 27-20, ending the game with a total of 47 points. If the over/under line was set at 46.5, and we bet the over, we’re in the money! However, if we bet the under at 46.5, our bet will settle worthless.
Over/unders are a fun way to add onto a moneyline or point spread bet, as they can add some excitement to a blowout win or make a tense down-to-the-wire battle even more heart attack worthy.
Prop Bets
Those bettors looking for more excitement beyond game outcomes and Over/Under will love prop bets. Commonly referred to as a side bet, these types of wagers are placed upon a specific event happening or not happening. Sounds simple enough, right? That’s because prop bets can be as simple or complicated as you choose.
Think Joe Burrow is going to throw for 300+ yards on Sunday? There’s a prop bet for that. Got a good feeling that Shane Bieber’s going to strike out 13 Yankees when they play the Guardians? There’s a prop bet for that. Are you a weather fanatic? Are you sure the Reds game is going to have a rain delay? Believe it or not, there’s a prop bet for that, too.
Prop bets can be a fun way to hop into the action for newer bettors. Prop bets can be simple “this or that” type bets. Will Kevin Love snag 10+ rebounds tonight? Pick a side and place your bet. Will Joe Mixon score a touchdown on Sunday, or even better, the very first touchdown of the game?
All you need to place a prop bet is a whim, a feeling, and a wager. It’s as simple as that.
Live Betting
Most bettors are familiar with the idea of placing a bet ahead of an event’s start or before the call to post of a horse race, but online sports betting doesn’t stop there. Live betting is one of the most innovative aspects of online sports wagering. It is truly a game-changer within the industry.
Being able to place an in-the-moment wager or a mid-game bet wasn’t an option made readily available to bettors. Now, in the advent of the digital sports betting world, live betting puts you right in the middle of the action.
Let’s say you’re at a Reds game, and Jonathan India steps into the box; you can now bet on each pitch as to whether or not he’ll get a hit or even a home run. If you’re cheering on the Blue Jackets and they end the second period down by two goals, but you believe they can pull off the upset, you can place an in-game moneyline bet.
Live betting is one of the best features of mobile sports betting. It has changed the game in more ways than one.
Parlay Bets
Let’s say you’re heading to Progressive Field to see the Guardians play, and you’ve got an excellent feeling about Shane Bieber striking out 13, as well as José Ramirez hitting a home run. On top of all that, you’re sure that the Guardians are going to take down the Royals.
If you place all of those bets separately, you may find yourself in the money, but your winnings can grow exponentially if you combine these three bets into a parlay.
A parlay bet is a wager containing multiple straight bets that multiply a wager’s payout. The difference between a straight bet and a parlay is the combination and reliance of the other bets.
If the Guardians win, and Bieber strikes out 14, but Ramirez kept his hits inside the park, two of your three bets would payout, but the Ramirez bet fails. In a parlay, because each leg is dependent on the other, if one fails, then the entire parlay also fails.
Futures/Outrights
Did you know that if you placed a $100 bet in May of 2021 for the Cincinnati Bengals to win the 2022 Super Bowl, you could have won $10,000 if they had managed to defeat the Rams? That’s a futures bet. Also known as an outright bet, a futures wager is placed on a long-term outcome. These are World Series winner, Super Bowl winner, and even league MVPs and other Awards.
Promotions & Loyalty Program
While the app may not impress seasoned bettors, the promotions that BetMGM offers absolutely will surprise and delight. With promotions that range from odds boosts to parlay insurance, BetMGM knows that keeping bettors coming back for more exciting opportunities is a big part of the game.
Promotions sent directly to your inbox can vary from odds boosts, parlay insurance, and even the occasional deposit match for existing players. There’s no other sportsbook that regards their users as frequently as BetMGM. Promotions you can look forward to with BetMGM Ohio include, but are not limited to:
The Monday Money Club: If you placed $50 worth of wagers last week, congratulations! You’re now a member of the Monday Money Club, which makes you eligible to receive a $10 bonus bet each Monday. The only thing you need to remain eligible is to continue wagering $50 each week on bets with minimum odds of -300 or greater.
Parlay insurance: Lose one leg, and get a portion of your bet back in bonus bets. This promo usually comes with a parlay leg requirement.
And more!
To say that BetMGM has a loyalty program is half-true. While there is no sportsbook-specific loyalty program, registered accounts are connected to an MGM Rewards account, the loyalty program for MGM casinos.
Some bettors who frequent MGM’s retail locations will be able to benefit from their proximity. However, this choice leaves others out in the cold. In the future, should BetMGM decide to create a sportsbook-specific loyalty program in Ohio, we’ll let you know. In states with legal online casinos, you can earn points while playing your favorite online casino games like blackjack, slots, video poker and more. To learn more about about where you can play, and the BetMGM Casino Bonus code, you can check out the full review at our friends at the Action Network.
Support
Should something go wrong while using BetMGM’s Ohio service, around-the-clock support is available. Offering e-mail support, a customer service phone line, and a live chat function on the app, BetMGM is here to help should an issue arise. If you require assistance, you can reach a customer support representative by one of these methods:
Live Chat: Select ‘Help & Support’ at the top of your app or browser
On top of those customer service options, BetMGM has also crafted a solid FAQ section for bettors who are more self-sufficient. Selecting “Help & Contact” at the top of the homepage will take you to the list of topics, questions, and helpful solutions.
BetMGM Sportsbook Ohio Conclusion
In the table below you may find some of the advantages and disadvantages of sportsbetting with BetMGM Online Sportsbook in Ohio.
BetMGM Pros
BetMGM Cons
Generous welcome offer
Fewer withdrawal options
Various deposit methods
Lagging mobile app
A wide verity of promotions and MGM Rewards Loyalty Program
Three layers of securty & protection
24/7 customer support
21+ and present in OH. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER5
Justin has years of experience in online content production and editing, writing about everything under the sun. A former Broadway actor, Justin brings a unique perspective to his work and is fascinated with the future of the online sportsbook industry. Based in New York City, but born in Boston.
Justin has years of experience in online content production and editing, writing about everything under the sun. A former Broadway actor, Justin brings a unique perspective to his work and is fascinated with the future of the online sportsbook industry. Based in New York City, but born in Boston.