Ohio SPORTS BETTING: TOP SPORTSBOOKS FOR 2024

As of January 1, 2023, Ohioans can now legally place wagers on their favorite sports teams, thanks to Governor Mike DeWine’s approval of House Bill 29.

The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) has since drawn up regulations for the new market, approving up to 25 vendors and platforms for legal online sports betting. Players now have a plethora of options to bet on the Browns, Cavs, Buckeyes, and Reds. 

Of the 25 approved sites, 21 will be allocated to 20 sports teams and 11 existing casino locations within the state, meaning that Ohioans can look forward to a host of new books coming to the state in 2023.

 

How Does Sports Betting Work In Ohio?

 

Placing wagers on a betting site requires a solid idea of the betting process, the meaning of the lines, and the strategies to increase your chances of success. It is not as straightforward as simply selecting a winner or a loser; there are a variety of options available to bettors, such as betting on an underdog or favorite, predicting the total number of points or goals scored, or wagering on an individual player’s stats. For new bettors, there is plenty to pick up.

PICKSHAWK'S TOP SPORTSBOOKS FOR OHIO

1

Betfred

Betfred Ohio – Known for its generous promotions, excellent customer service, and high-quality mobile app.

2

Caesars Sportsbook

Caesars Ohio – A well-established brand with a long history in the gaming industry, Caesars is known for its comprehensive range of betting markets and rewards program.

3

Bet365

bet365 Ohio – Known for its extensive sports coverage, live streaming, and in-play betting options.

4

DraftKings

DraftKings Ohio – Known for its innovative approach to sports betting, including daily fantasy sports and a wide range of betting markets.

5

BetRivers

BetRivers Ohio – Known for its intuitive interface, fast payout processing, and unique player rewards program.

6

BetMGM

BetMGM Ohio – The sportsbook division of MGM Resorts, BetMGM is known for its strong focus on American sports, including NFL and college football.

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Selecting A Sportsbook

 

Ohio is projected to approve up to 25 sportsbooks and online betting vendors by the end of 2023, with 17 currently already live, but that means there’s plenty of choice and things to look out for. At PicksHawk, we regularly publish detailed guides on sportsbook features and how to make an informed selection. With our help, you can find the perfect sportsbook to meet your needs and start betting with confidence. Here’s an overview of things to look for:

 

Key Features:

 

Sportsbooks typically offer similar games and odds, but they can vary in terms of features such as loyalty programs, early cash-outs, games, contests, and more. It is important to consider which features are most important to you when selecting a sportsbook.

 

Sports Betting Experiences:

 

Some sportsbooks are better for football and some will be better for baseball, or have more games for hockey action. For instance, if you are planning to bet on the NBA, we believe PointsBet is the number one site for basketball. You can expect to find more articles in the near future that detail which site we recommend for each individual sport.

 

Customer service:

 

This is a critical factor that shouldn’t be overlooked when making a decision on which sportsbook to use. We ensure to thoroughly evaluate the sportsbooks and provide their ratings for your convenience, making it easier for you to make an informed decision.

 

Management:

 

Payouts, banking options, and delivery times are all essential considerations. If you’re using a mobile wallet, you’ll want to find a sportsbook mobile app that offers maximum flexibility.

What Types Of Bets Can I Make On Sports Betting In Ohio?

There are countless sports to bet on with online sportsbooks, ranging from the major eye-catching NFL and NBA games to the more obscure. However, some sportsbooks may have more options or  offer different markets than others; for instance, DraftKings Ohio may provide leagues that other sportsbooks do not.

Moreover, sportsbooks offer a variety of different ways to bet on these sports. Here is a brief overview of some of the bet types you can expect to find:

 

Point Spreads

 

A “straight bet”, or point spread bet, is when one team is designated as the favorite and the other as the underdog. To win a straight bet, the favorite must match or exceed the point spread, while the underdog must either lose by less than the point spread or win outright. For example, if the Browns are favored over the Raider by 6 points, the Browns must win by 6 points or more for the bet to be successful. On the other hand, if the Raiders are bet on, they only need to lose by less than 6 points or win the game for the bet to be successful. In this example, if the Browns win 24-19, the Raiderss have “covered” and the bet is successful.

 

Moneyline

 

In a moneyline bet, the player is wagering on a team to win a game outright, regardless of the point spread. Moneylines can be incredibly lucrative, as the underdog carries higher odds than a straight bet. For example, in a college football game between Michigan and Ohio State, the Buckeyes are -9. The straight bet odds (against the spread) are -110 for Ohio State, meaning you would have to bet $110 to win $100. However, the moneyline odds are -450 on the Buckeyes and +340 on the Wolverines. If you bet $100 on Ohio State, you would only profit $22, but a $100 bet on Michigan would yield a $340 return. Moneyline bets can be a great way to maximize your winnings and make the most of your betting experience.

 

Totals Betting or Over/Unders

 

If you’re looking for a thrilling way to add a little spice to the game, betting Totals is your perfect match. Forget about who will be crowned victor; totalling allows bettors to focus on managing combined points of both teams. With pre-set lines designed specifically so that action can be evenly split between sides, there’s no limit as to how much stakes – and fun – are involved in each throwdown.

When it comes to betting on sports, the payouts for low-scoring games can be especially lucrative. Let’s take soccer as an example; instead of adjusting a small total line, bookmakers will often adjust the “over/under” odds. This means that if you place your bet correctly and win (fingers crossed!), then you could cash out with up to 150% more profit per $100 than standard bets would offer.

 

Parlays

 

Bundle up two or more bets into one Parlay Bet to increase the odds for eye-popping payouts, but be sure to remember that these big wins come with a degree of difficulty. The increased odds naturally mean that the sportsbooks know the risk of a win is greater but that’s where the greater rewards come. Here is an example of what a parlay could look like:

The Bengals are taking on the Steelers in a battle of two powerhouses, and oddsmakers think it’s going to be high-scoring – they’ve set the total at 41.5 with even odds (-110). Our player thinks this is just too good an opportunity to miss out on. They’re betting big by using a 3-leg Parlay that includes straight bets both ways; if right, they get back $1,263 for every $100 bet placed.

 

Live Betting

 

Forget the days of being tied to static sportsbooks – with live betting, you can now be a part of the action and react to what’s happening in real time. Never miss out on opportunities to win big again as mobile apps and online gambling let you engage in real-time wagers while watching your favorite team or athlete compete. Live betting means you can experience an entirely new level of excitement that intensifies as all games become instantly more thrilling when money (and bragging rights) are on the line.

 

Futures

 

Looking to get ahead of the action and make a well researched prediction? Futures betting is what you’re looking for. Betting odds for events like the Super Bowl, World Series, and Heisman Trophy winners are available immediately following each season. For example – place a bet now that Cincinnati could take it all when they hit +1400 in 2023 or Cleveland at an even better +3000 shot. A successful wager means pocketing $1,400 or $3,000 respectively.

 

Prop Bets

 

The Super Bowl is the time when prop bets come alive. From classic coin tosses and singing the National Anthem, to betting on how many touchdowns a single player will make – there’s a ridiculous number of options for the big game. With an array of creative props from top online sportsbooks, your weekend just got that much more exciting.

 

Popular Sports In Ohio To Place Bets On

 

Sports betting in Ohio has so much variety that you’ll have plenty of different events and sports to take advantage. There are thousands of markets available at any given time, from basketball and horse racing to soccer and baseball – each sport offers a unique way to bet with different strategies made especially for them.

 

NFL

 

The NFL is the biggest draw for bettors in all of sports, and that’s no surprise due to its popularity in the states. Preseason games present an opportunity to get a head start. To stay ahead of the curve, do some research into players, coaches & officiating trends – there’s plenty out there which can give you an edge on making smart bets. With so much info and an abundance of stats readily available about each team; the data in football can really give a strong chance of getting it right across the season.

 

With its straightforward lines and well-known teams, the NFL is a betting paradise for football fans. But thanks to modern technologies like Fantasy Football and Daily Fantasy Sports, that pleasure has only grown exponentially—giving armchair quarterbacks even more chances to have an impact on their favorite sport.

 

NBA

 

With the NBA, bettors are presented with endless opportunities for success. From same-day betting to long term wagers, there’s something for everyone looking to make a big score. Experience thrilling high scores and an extended 82 game regular season that surely keeps you on your toes all year round.

With lines released just hours before tip-off, you can leverage even more excitement. Different sportsbooks offer a range of opportunities to bet on the NBA so do your research and make your choices.

 

MLB

 

America’s beloved pastime, Major League Baseball is an enduring betting favorite. Whether you want to speculate on the odds of each individual game or take a shot at creating your own winning ‘system’, there are countless opportunities for baseball lovers and bettors alike.

Because baseball is different to other high scoring sports, points spreads don’t exist but these are replaced by the ‘run line’ for each game. The run line is a popular way of wagering on America’s favorite pastime and sportsbooks use it with 1.5 runs handicap, affording opportunities for more varied and interesting odds than your typical point spread bet.

With baseball betting, it’s usually about the long game. Big money can be yours for the taking if you’re patient and stick with an effective system. Enjoy peace of mind in knowing that even if times get tough on the diamond, fortune may still favor you come season’s end.

 

NHL

 

With action more akin to that of the MLB, but with a smaller volume of games, hockey has a similar sports betting set up to its baseball neighbor. Betting in this highly-dedicated fandom’s league is just like baseball betting; NHL markets use odds & totals as well as “puck line” for even better results.

Hockey bettors, the trend is your friend. Keep an eye out for hot goalies and well-rested teams this week – you could be in line to reap some big rewards if all that effort pays off. Also consider taking a look at totals and puck lines when key starters are getting breaks or up-and-coming players get called into action from the minors.

 

College Football

 

The passion for football extends well beyond the NFL in Ohio with some of the best college teams in the country. Cheers erupted across the state of Ohio as The Cincinnati Bearcats made history in 2021 by becoming part of an elite group to make it into the College Football Playoff. With powerhouse teams like Ohio State dominating college football, this was a win not just for UC’s program but also their fans – making them one step closer to bringing home that coveted championship title.

With 120+ NCAA FBS teams and 50+ exciting matches every week, you’ll never be without sports betting action to bet on across the state. Whether it’s a major bowl game or an obscure contest between Ohio and UNLV – the choice is yours.

It may be difficult for college sports fanatics to keep their emotions in check when placing bets. Professional gamblers understand the power of keeping biases at bay, so if you want a successful betting streak make sure your heart isn’t ruling your wallet.

 

College Basketball

 

Just like college football, when betting college basketball, it pays to keep your head and not let the heart take over. Do some homework on teams by tracking injury reports and studying those all-important intra-conference showdowns – especially when there’s an old rivalry between two schools like Duke & Carolina or Kansas & Big 12 Conference play at stake.

Basketball is one of the most exciting and heavily bet on sports in America. From small-school matchups to prime time excitement, there are dozens of moments every week that can provide a thrill no matter your stake size.

FAQS

OHIO SPORTS BETTING FAQS

With online options becoming more widely available and PicksHawk offering loads of helpful articles on choosing your ideal sportsbook, now is an excellent opportunity for new bettors. From Pennsylvania all the way down south to Indiana and Michigan too– no matter where you’re located getting into this fascinating hobby has become easier than ever before. Make sure not to miss out on these great opportunities by keeping up with PicksHawk today.

Sports betting can be a thrilling experience, with the potential to win big rewards if you make smart wagers. If this is your first time trying it out, we highly suggest starting off small and building from there – straight bets are great for beginners as these allow players to easily regulate their stake levels against an agreeable risk-to-reward ratio. But no matter what type of bettor you aspire to become in future – one thing that’s certain is sports betting will always remain popular due its unpredictable nature.

Betting on sports can be a thrilling and exciting experience, but navigating the sometimes arcane language of point spreads, totals, run/puck lines can seem daunting at first. The good news is that this article provides all the information necessary to understand how these bets work so you’ll know just what kind of wager you want to place.

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