Analyzing Ohio Sports Betting Revenue Insights of 2025

5 min read
Feb 17, 2025, 7:54 PM

Overview of the Ohio Sports Betting Market

Ohio sports betting went live on January 1, 2023, with both online and in-person options.

The Ohio Casino Control Commission regulates the industry and has issued licenses to market-leading sportsbooks like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, ESPN Bet, and Caesars. In the state, bettors can wager on sports through mobile apps at casinos, retail sportsbooks, and kiosks in approved bars and restaurants.

Ohio originally taxed sports betting revenue at 10%, but in July 2023, it doubled that to 20%. Governor Mike DeWine proposed a 40% tax in his 2025 budget to fund youth sports and infrastructure projects. If passed, Ohio would boost its tax revenue and become one of the states with high betting tax rates. While that increase is significant, the high tax-rate model has worked in dense-population states like New York that have markets high enough that sportsbooks can't afford to miss out [Sports Business Journal, 2024].

The vast majority of tax revenue from betting in the Buckeye State goes to public education, with 98% of it put towards K-12 education and extracurricular activities. The other two percent goes to problem gambling assistance.

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Ohio

Annual Sports Betting Growth in Ohio

Complete financial data on sports betting is incomplete in Ohio. The Ohio Casino Control Commission currently only reports on its total annual revenue.

Source:

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Monthly Sports Betting Growth in Ohio

2024

Complete financial data on sports betting is incomplete in Ohio. The Ohio Casino Control Commission currently only reports on its total monthly revenue.

Source:

RG

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Ohio Sports Betting Revenue Performance

To better understand how the gross gaming revenue (GGR) created by Ohio bettors compares to that of other states, we've chosen a few with similar populations.

Here's how Ohio stacks up:

State2024 GGR2024 Population2024 GGR per Capita
Michigan$481,495,654.0010,041,200$47.95
Pennsylvania$627,663,541.0012,951,300$48.46
North Carolina$583,646,811.0010,975,000$53.18
Ohio$904,187,897.0011,812,200$76.55
New Jersey$1,094,630,6109,320,860$117.44

Although Ohio has only had legal sports gambling for two years, the state generates significant overall and per capita revenue.

Ohioans have bet more than $1 billion on sports in a single month on multiple occasions [SBC Americas, 2025]. Residents support several prominent pro and college teams and have plenty of sportsbook operators to choose from in this promising market.

Latest Updates in the Ohio's Sports Betting Sector

  • February 10, 2025: Ohio Governor Mike DeWine proposes raising the sports betting tax rate from 20% to 40% to create taxable revenue to fund stadiums and youth sports. [Dayton Daily News, 2025]
  • November 26, 2024: Ohio fines DraftKings $425,000 for allowing prop bets on individual college players [Columbus Dispatch, 2024]
  • June 2024: The GGR monthly total for the month rises 46% from the previous year, marking significant growth in the market. [News 5 Cleveland, 2024]
  • February 23, 2024: Ohio bans wagering on NCAA player prop bets. [ESPN, 2024]

Ohio Snapshot

Key AspectDetails
PopulationApproximately 11.81 million residents as of 2024. (World Population Review, 2025)
Political AffiliationOhio is a firmly Republican state that recently voted Republican in the presidential election. (270towin.com, 2025)
Year Sports Betting LegalizedSports betting became legal in Ohio, both in-person and online, on January 1, 2023. [Cincinnati Bar Association, 2023]
Number of Sportsbooks OperatingThere are 16 online sportsbooks operating in Ohio: BetMGM, Caesars, bet365, DraftKings, ESPN BET, Fanatics Sportsbook, FanDuel, Hard Rock Bet, BetRivers, Betr, Bally Bet, BetJACK, Prime Sportsbook, betPARX, MVG Bet and Underdog Sportsbook. Online sports betting is the dominant form of wagering in the state, accounting for 98% of all bets. [Cleveland News 5, 2025]
Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) 2024$904,187,897.00
Professional Sports TeamsOhio contains a variety of significant pro teams with representation in the NFL (Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Brown), NBA (Cleveland Cavaliers), MLB (Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Guardians), NHL (Columbus Blue Jackets), and MLS (Columbus Crew). The state is also home to one of the NCAA's top football powerhouses: The Ohio State Buckeyes.

FAQs on Ohio Sports Betting Revenue

General Questions

When did sports betting become legal in Ohio?

Sports betting in Ohio became legal on January 1, 2023, with both online and in-person options.

Who regulates sports betting in Ohio?

The Ohio Casino Control Commission oversees the regulation and licensing of sportsbooks operating in the state.

How is sports betting revenue used in Ohio?

The vast majority of tax revenue from sports betting supports public education, with 98% going to K-12 schools and extracurricular activities.

What is the current sports betting tax rate in Ohio?

As of July 2023, the sports betting tax rate in Ohio is 20%, though a proposal is in place to increase it to 40% in 2025.

Can I place sports bets at Ohio casinos and through the Ohio Lottery?

Yes, sports bets can be placed at Ohio casinos, racinos, retail sportsbooks, and kiosks located in approved bars and restaurants, though the Ohio Lottery does not currently offer direct sports betting.