Best Ohio Sports Betting Apps 2026

Ohio launched legal sports betting on January 1, 2023, and within its first full year became one of the top five markets in the country by total wagers. As of mid-2026, the Ohio Casino Control Commission licenses 13 active online operators, and more than 98% of all bets placed in the state go through mobile apps rather than retail locations. FanDuel leads with roughly 43% of the market, DraftKings holds a strong second, and the remaining field includes every major national brand alongside a few Ohio-specific operators. This guide breaks down all 13, what you can and cannot bet on, and the tax rules that apply to your winnings.

Top Ohio Betting Apps Ranked for 2026

1. FanDuel

FanDuel holds around 43% of Ohio’s online betting revenue, a wider lead than it holds in most other states. The same-game parlay builder is the most intuitive in the market, live odds update without lag, and the app carries the strongest weekly promotional calendar of any Ohio operator. With the Bengals, Browns, Cavaliers, Reds, and Guardians all drawing heavy local action, FanDuel’s coverage of Ohio teams is as complete as it gets. Read my full FanDuel sports betting app review for a deeper look.

Welcome offer: Bet $5 and get up to $300 in bonus bets, paid whether your first bet wins or loses, spread over 10 days. No minimum odds required
Sports: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, college (team markets only), soccer, tennis, golf, MMA. Deep in-play and same-game parlay coverage
Banking: Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Venmo, online banking, Play+, Apple Pay, PayNearMe
Best for: Bettors who want the most polished all-round app and the strongest same-game parlay builder

2. DraftKings

DraftKings sits second in Ohio market share and carries the widest range of betting markets in the state. Beyond the standard NFL, NBA, and MLB lines you will find darts, snooker, table tennis, and international leagues most competitors ignore. The daily promotions for existing users are among the most consistent anywhere. Worth knowing: the OCCC fined DraftKings $425,000 in November 2024 for accepting college player prop bets after the ban took effect, which tells you how seriously Ohio enforces its rules. Read my full DraftKings sports betting app review for the complete picture.

Welcome offer: Bet $5 and get $200 in bonus bets instantly, win or lose, plus a 20% deposit match up to $1,000. The two offers can be claimed together. The deposit match releases gradually as you wager
Sports: The widest selection in Ohio. NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, college, soccer, tennis, golf, MMA, boxing, esports, darts, snooker, table tennis
Banking: Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Venmo, online banking, Play+, Apple Pay, wire transfer
Best for: Experienced bettors who want the broadest market selection and strong daily promotions beyond the welcome offer

3. BetMGM

BetMGM runs in Ohio through MGM Northfield Park, where it also operates a retail location. The MGM Rewards integration is the standout: every dollar wagered earns tier credits toward free nights, dining, and entertainment at MGM properties nationwide. The Edit My Bet feature lets you adjust legs of an active parlay before it settles, which most competitors still do not offer. For anyone who follows the Cavaliers, Browns, or Bengals, BetMGM runs team-specific promotions throughout their seasons. Read my full BetMGM sports betting app review for my complete assessment.

Welcome offer: First-bet offer up to $1,500 plus $50 in BetMGM Rewards points. If your first bet loses, you are refunded in bonus bets. $10 minimum deposit
Sports: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, college (team markets only), soccer, tennis, golf, MMA. Edit My Bet feature for live parlay adjustment
Banking: Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Venmo, online banking, Play+, Apple Pay
Retail location: MGM Northfield Park
Best for: Bettors who want MGM Rewards tying online betting to real-world hotel and dining perks

4. Caesars

Caesars runs statewide and leans on the most established loyalty program in American gambling. Credits earned betting are redeemable at more than 50 Caesars properties nationwide. The live dealer and odds boost offering is strong, and Diamond and Seven Stars members get same-day payouts. Read my full Caesars sports betting app review for the full breakdown.

Welcome offer: 100% deposit match up to $1,000, plus 10 profit boost tokens. $10 minimum deposit
Sports: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, college (team markets only), soccer, tennis, golf, MMA. Competitive odds across major markets
Banking: Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, online banking, Play+, Apple Pay
Best for: Bettors who want Caesars Rewards value across 50-plus properties nationwide

5. bet365

bet365 brings decades of international experience to Ohio, and it shows in the live betting product, the deepest in the state. More in-play markets, faster odds updates, and wider international coverage (cricket, rugby, lower-tier European soccer) than any US-born competitor. The in-app customer support is among the best available.

Welcome offer: Bet $10 and get $365 in bonus bets, win or lose. $10 minimum deposit. Bonus bets expire after seven days
Sports: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college, soccer, tennis, cricket, rugby, and a wide range of international leagues. The deepest live betting product in Ohio
Banking: Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, online banking, Apple Pay
Best for: Bettors who follow international sports and want the deepest live betting markets in the state

6. theScore Bet

theScore Bet replaced ESPN BET in Ohio on December 1, 2025, after Penn Entertainment rebranded the platform nationwide. Existing ESPN BET balances, open bets, and logins carried over automatically. The defining feature is theScore’s sports media platform built directly into the betting interface: news, stats, scores, and bet placement in one app with no switching. Read my full theScore Bet sports betting app review for more detail.

Welcome offer: Bet-and-get welcome bonus in bonus bets on a qualifying first wager. Typically a $5 bet unlocks the offer, paid win or lose
Sports: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, college (team markets only), soccer, tennis, MMA. Integrated news feed and live scoring in-app
Banking: Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, online banking, Play+
Best for: Bettors who want news, stats, and scores alongside betting in a single app

7. Fanatics

Fanatics entered Ohio after acquiring PointsBet’s US operations, and its edge is the crossover with the Fanatics merchandise business. Every wager earns FanCash, redeemable for bonus bets or spent directly on officially licensed team gear at Fanatics.com. With eight pro teams across five leagues in Ohio, the FanCash-to-merchandise pipeline carries more local weight here than in most states.

Welcome offer: Bet and receive up to $1,000 in bonus bets or FanCash, typically matched over your first several days of betting. FanCash converts to bonus bets or team merchandise
Sports: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, college (team markets only), soccer, MMA. In-app NFL streaming during the season
Banking: Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Venmo, online banking, Apple Pay
Best for: Sports fans who buy team gear and want their betting to earn toward merchandise through FanCash

8. BetRivers

BetRivers competes on transparency rather than marketing spend. Competitive odds, a clean interface, and RushPay instant withdrawals. The iRush Rewards program returns value on every bet, and its bonus playthrough requirements are consistently among the lowest in the state, which makes it one of the most accessible apps for casual bettors who do not want to decode complicated terms.

Welcome offer: Second-chance first bet up to $500. If your first bet loses, you are refunded in bonus bets. Low playthrough compared to most competitors
Sports: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, college (team markets only), soccer, tennis, golf
Banking: Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, online banking, Play+. RushPay instant withdrawals
Best for: Casual bettors who want fast withdrawals and the lowest playthrough requirements

9. Hard Rock Bet

Hard Rock Bet is licensed and active in Ohio, tying into the Unity by Hard Rock loyalty program that spans Hard Rock properties worldwide. Its standout is withdrawal speed: PayPal payouts often clear within an hour, and processing runs 24/7 with no wait for business hours.

Welcome offer: First-bet offer in bonus bets if your opening wager loses. Amount and qualifying bet size vary by season, so confirm the current figure at signup
Sports: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college (team markets only), soccer, MMA
Banking: Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, online banking, Apple Pay
Best for: Bettors who use Hard Rock properties and want the fastest PayPal withdrawals with 24/7 processing

10. BetPARX

BetPARX is a smaller operator built and run by Parx Casino rather than a national tech company licensing a casino’s name. It covers all the core bet types Ohio bettors look for, runs cleanly on mobile, and is a solid alternative for anyone shopping beyond the dominant national brands.

Welcome offer: Bonus-back first bet, refunded in bonus bets if your opening wager loses. Confirm the current amount at signup
Sports: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college (team markets only), soccer, tennis
Banking: Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, online banking, Play+
Best for: Bettors who want an alternative to the national brands with its own welcome offer to claim

11. Betr

Betr launched in Ohio at the January 2023 opening with a focus on microbetting, wagering on the next play, next pitch, or next possession rather than the full game. Microbets settle in seconds, which suits bettors who want fast, short-window action rather than sweating a three-hour game. It is a distinctly different experience from the traditional apps on this list.

Welcome offer: First-deposit bonus in bonus bets. Amount varies, so confirm the current figure at signup
Sports: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, focused on microbetting markets (next play, next pitch, next possession)
Banking: Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, online banking
Best for: Bettors who want fast-settling microbets on live action rather than pre-game or full-game wagers

12. Tipico

Tipico is a German-headquartered operator that entered the US through New Jersey and expanded into Ohio via a partnership with the Columbus Crew. The app is clean and uncluttered with a European design sensibility, and its soccer coverage runs deeper than most US-focused competitors. A smaller presence in Ohio but fully licensed and a genuine alternative for anyone who wants a simpler interface.

Welcome offer: Deposit-match or bet-and-get bonus in bonus bets for new users. Confirm the current structure at signup
Sports: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, soccer. Strong European soccer coverage reflecting the operator’s roots
Banking: Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, online banking
Retail partner: Columbus Crew
Best for: Bettors who prefer a clean, European-style interface with strong soccer coverage

13. Bally Bet

Bally Bet is the mobile betting arm of Bally’s Corporation, which operates casinos across the US. It launched in Ohio at the January 2023 opening and covers standard betting markets across the major sports. A smaller operator here, but fully licensed and another option for bettors collecting welcome offers across multiple platforms.

Welcome offer: First-bet or deposit bonus in bonus bets for new users. Confirm the current amount at signup
Sports: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college (team markets only)
Banking: Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, online banking
Best for: Bettors who want another licensed option with its own separate welcome offer

What You Can Bet On in Ohio

Ohio has one of the more open betting frameworks in the country, with one significant restriction on college wagering that every bettor here needs to understand.

Professional sports: All major US leagues fully available. Ohio is home to eight pro teams across five leagues: the Bengals and Browns (NFL), Cavaliers (NBA), Reds and Guardians (MLB), Blue Jackets (NHL), and Crew and FC Cincinnati (MLS)
College sports: Team-level bets are fully legal, including spreads, totals, moneylines, and futures on all college sports including Ohio State and Cincinnati. Player proposition bets on individual college athletes are banned. The OCCC introduced the restriction to protect student-athletes from harassment, and fined DraftKings $425,000 in 2024 for violating it
Esports: Legal in Ohio, one of roughly 12 states that allow it, with markets on major competitive titles at select operators
In-play betting: Fully available across all licensed apps
Parlays, teasers, and professional player props: All available on professional sports
Self-service kiosks: Ohio uniquely offers Type C licenses for betting kiosks at bars and restaurants statewide
Banned: College player props, high school sports, and non-sporting events. Governor DeWine has publicly called for a broader prop-bet ban, but as of mid-2026 nothing further has been enacted

Tax On What You Win

All sports betting winnings are taxable in Ohio.

Ohio state withholding: 2.75% on winnings, effective January 1, 2026, withheld at the source by the operator
Federal tax: Gambling winnings are taxable income under federal law. For winnings over $5,000, federal tax may be withheld at the source
Reporting: Winnings of $600 or more trigger a W-2G form from the operator
Operator tax rate: Ohio taxes operator revenue at 20%, doubled from 10% in 2023. A proposal to raise it to 40% in early 2025 was not enacted
Losses: Deductible against winnings if you itemize, but only up to the amount you won

This is general information, not tax advice. Consult a tax professional for guidance specific to your situation.

Signing Up

Registration is the same across every licensed Ohio app.

Age: You must be 21 or older
Location: You must be physically within Ohio state lines when placing a bet, verified by geolocation in real time. Residency is not required, only physical presence
Identity verification: Full name, date of birth, last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid email. Some apps request a photo ID
Time to register: Under five minutes on any app listed above
Multiple accounts: No restriction on holding accounts at multiple operators. Doing so lets you compare odds and claim multiple welcome offers

The Ohio Online Gambling Regulator

All sports betting in Ohio is overseen by the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC). It licenses all three operator types (Type A mobile, Type B retail, Type C kiosks), audits operators, investigates complaints, enforces the college player prop ban, and publishes monthly revenue reports. Its $425,000 fine against DraftKings in 2024 shows active enforcement.

You can verify any Ohio operator or check the latest regulatory updates at the OCCC website: casinocontrol.ohio.gov

What Is Happening Politically

Ohio’s market faces more political uncertainty than most. Governor DeWine has been openly critical of the industry, successfully doubling the operator tax in 2023 and calling for a ban on all prop bets in July 2025. In July 2026, House Bill 971 was introduced proposing to ban online sports betting entirely and restrict wagering to retail locations, along with prohibitions on college betting, parlays, player props, and live betting.

The bill faces strong opposition given that online betting generated nearly $210 million in Ohio tax revenue in 2025 and close to $90 million in the first five months of 2026 alone. The pressure is real and worth knowing about, but for now all 13 licensed online operators remain fully active and legal. This is proposed legislation, not current law.

Other State Guides

If you travel or want to compare what is available elsewhere, here are my other state guides.

More state guides are in progress. Check my homepage for the latest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is sports betting legal in Ohio?

Yes. Ohio legalized sports betting through House Bill 29, signed in December 2021. The market launched January 1, 2023, and is regulated by the Ohio Casino Control Commission. As of mid-2026, 13 licensed online operators are active statewide.

How old do I have to be to bet on sports in Ohio?

21 or older, whether online or at a retail location.

Can I bet on college sports in Ohio?

Yes, but with a restriction. Team-level bets on all college sports are fully legal, including in-state programs like Ohio State and Cincinnati. Player proposition bets on individual college athletes are banned, and the OCCC enforces this actively.

Can I bet on prop bets in Ohio?

Professional player props are legal. College player props are banned. Governor DeWine has called for a broader ban on all props, and House Bill 971 (July 2026) proposes prohibiting props along with online betting, parlays, and live betting. None of these proposals have been enacted as of mid-2026.

Do I have to be an Ohio resident to bet?

No. You only need to be 21 or older and physically within Ohio state lines when you place a wager, verified by geolocation. A visitor from Pennsylvania or Michigan can legally bet while physically in Ohio.

Can I use more than one sports betting app?

Yes, and I recommend it. Ohio’s competitive market means odds and promotions vary meaningfully between operators. Signing up at several lets you compare lines and claim multiple welcome offers. There is no restriction on holding multiple accounts.

What happened to ESPN BET in Ohio?

ESPN BET shut down nationwide on December 1, 2025. Penn Entertainment rebranded it as theScore Bet. Existing accounts, balances, and open bets carried over automatically.

Do I have to pay tax on my winnings?

Yes. Ohio withholds 2.75% on winnings at the source (effective January 2026). Winnings are also taxable under federal law. Keep records of your bets, wins, and losses for reporting.

What is the best sports betting app in Ohio?

FanDuel holds the largest market share and the most polished all-round experience. DraftKings has the widest market selection. BetMGM is strongest for MGM Rewards. bet365 has the deepest live betting. BetRivers offers the fastest withdrawals via RushPay. I keep several apps and compare odds before placing any significant bet.

Could online sports betting be banned in Ohio?

House Bill 971, introduced July 2026, proposes banning online betting and restricting wagering to retail only. It faces strong opposition given the tax revenue online betting generates. As of mid-2026 all 13 licensed online operators remain fully active and legal. This is proposed legislation, not current law.

Always gamble responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER, available 24/7. The Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline is also available at 1-800-589-9966. See my responsible gambling resources page for further support.