Ohio Sports Betting Revenue Insights August 2025

Revenue Insights

$741.27M

Handle in May, marking a strong overall betting volume for the month.

Revenue Trends

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$88.81M

Gross gaming revenue, showing the amount sports operators retained after payouts.

Revenue Trends

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11.98%

Hold percentage, indicating a healthy margin for sportsbooks.

Revenue Trends

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$17.76M

Tax revenue generated for the state from May’s betting activity.

Revenue Trends

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Overview of the Ohio Sports Betting Market

Ohio’s sports betting market officially launched on January 1, 2023, making it one of the most anticipated rollouts in the country. The state allows both online and retail sportsbooks, giving bettors a wide range of options from mobile apps to in-person betting at casinos, racinos, and professional sports venues. Oversight is managed by the Ohio Casino Control Commission, which enforces regulations to ensure fair play, responsible gambling, and compliance with state laws. With a competitive field of operators and a diverse betting audience, Ohio has quickly emerged as a major player in the U.S. sports wagering landscape.

Wanna learn about sports betting in Ohio? Check out our in-depth reviews of all Ohio Sportsbooks.

Annual Sports Betting Growth in Ohio

Data is pulled directly from the Ohio Casino Control Board Annual Reports

Source:

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Monthly Sports Betting Growth in Ohio

Taxes

Data is pulled directly from the Ohio Casino Control Board Monthly Reports

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Ohio Sports Betting Revenue Performance

Since its debut in January 2023, Ohio’s sports betting industry has quickly become one of the most active in the U.S., with billions in annual handle and a potent mix of online and retail participation. The market’s competitive nature, featuring major sportsbook brands and in-venue betting at professional sports facilities, has contributed to sustained engagement from bettors. Below is a breakdown of Ohio’s yearly performance since launch, followed by monthly data for 2025.

Year	Handle	Revenue	Hold %	State Taxes
2023	$7,659,959,744	$934,946,881	11.80%	$186,989,376
2024	$8,880,965,221	$904,187,897	10.25%	$180,837,579

2025 Year-to-Date

Month	Handle	GGR	Hold %	Tax Revenue
Jan 2025	$1,011,186,457	$81,137,044	8.02%	$16,227,409
Feb 2025	$760,882,725	$75,184,892	9.88%	$15,036,978
Mar 2025	$991,975,609	$66,453,861	6.70%	$13,290,772
Apr 2025	$807,221,903	$73,685,306	9.13%	$14,737,061
May 2025	$741,271,201	$88,808,435	11.98%	$17,761,687

Latest Updates in Ohio's Sports Wagering Sector

Jul 31, 2025 – Ban on Prop Bets Proposed
Governor Mike DeWine urged the Ohio Casino Control Commission to ban all sports proposition bets, citing risks to athlete safety and game integrity, following a Major League Baseball betting investigation. College player props were already banned in early 2024.
Jun 30, 2025 – Tax Rate Remains Unchanged
Despite earlier calls to raise it to 40%, lawmakers opted to keep Ohio’s sports betting tax steady at 20% through at least mid-2027.
May 16, 2025 – First-in-Nation Handle Tax Bill Introduced
A bill (SB 199) filed by Sen. Louis Blessing proposes adding a 2% tax on total wagers (handle), on top of the existing 20% tax on adjusted gross revenue, potentially generating substantial funds for sports facility improvements.
May 20–23, 2025 – Online Casino (iGaming) Legislation Gains Traction
State lawmakers introduced bills (SB 197 and HB 298) to legalize online casino games, iLottery, and horse racing wagering, regulated by the Ohio Casino Control Commission—expected to launch by March 2026 if passed.
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 Aspect	Details
Population	Approximately 11.81 million residents as of 2024. (World Population Review, 2025)
Political Affiliation	Ohio is a firmly Republican state that recently voted Republican in the presidential election. (270towin.com, 2025)
Year Sports Betting Legalized	Sports betting became legal in Ohio, both in-person and online, on January 1, 2023. [Cincinnati Bar Association, 2023]
Number of Sportsbooks Operating	There 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]
GGR 2025 (Jan-May)	$385,269,538
Handle 2025 (Jan-May)	$4,312,537,895
Professional Sports Teams	NFL (Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Brown), NBA (Cleveland Cavaliers), MLB (Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Guardians), NHL (Columbus Blue Jackets), and MLS (Columbus Crew). The Ohio State Buckeyes.

FAQs

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.

Sol Fayerman-Hansen

Editor-in-Chief

Sol Fayerman-Hansen is Editor-in-Chief at RG.org with 20+ years of experience in sports journalism, gambling regulation, and tech. His work has appeared in Forbes, ESPN, and NFL.com, covering U.S. and Canadian gambling laws, major sports events, and wagering trends. Since 2023, Sol has led RG.org’s global editorial efforts, focusing on transparency, data accuracy, and regulatory insight. He works closely with researchers and legal experts to uphold E-E-A-T and Trust Project standards.📍 Israel/Canada 🌐 English, Hebrew 🎯 Gambling law, responsible gaming, tech in betting

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