Ohio: 1K+ bars and restaurants pre-approved by the Lottery Commission to join upcoming sports betting market

Ohio has begun accepting applications from bars and restaurants seeking to join the upcoming sports betting market, and interest thus far seems high. According to a list released on Friday, over 1,000 businesses in the state have been pre-approved by the Lottery Commission, and about 130 of them have taken the next step by applying to the Casino Control Commission.

Bars and restaurants seeking to add a sports betting kiosk to their operations are set to apply for Type-C licenses. While these permits will come from the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC), the businesses must first get a recommendation from the Lottery Commission. In order to have a kiosk in place on the January 1 universal start date, they must get their application submitted to the OCCC by August 15. Businesses have to pay a $1,000 fee to apply.

In order for a business to apply, it needs to be a currently licensed lottery retailer and have a D-1, D-2 or D-5 liquor permit, which are reserved for businesses that serve alcohol on the premises, explains Cleveland.com. The source further said that as of Friday, 27 bars and restaurants in Cleveland applied and were preapproved by the Lottery Commission.

License holders must also be for-profit. The Casino Control Commission will keep accepting applications from such businesses after August 15, but getting an application in before the deadline guarantees review before sports gambling starts.

Geez Grill & Pub, one of the pre-qualified bars and restaurants

Bars and restaurants believe sports betting will keep people in local establishments longer and bring in more revenue for the businesses. Customers of these establishments would be able to place wagers on collegiate, professional and Olympic sporting events. Allowing bars and restaurants to join the market would also make gambling easier for sports fans, which currently have to go to further lengths to bet, sometimes outside of the state.

Jessica Franks, Communications Director at the Ohio Casino Control Commission, told Spectrum News 1 last week that given this is a new space for the state, there is much to learn before launch. But this will be a new landscape for bettors as well, which is why the commission suggests enthusiasts visit beforeyoubet.org for more information.

Fewer bet types will be offered at kiosks in comparison to sportsbooks and casinos. Ohio kiosks will also have low wagering limits set on each machine. Bettors will be able to use cash, credit, debit, and mobile payment options like Apple Pay, Google Pay and PayPal.

Mike Ciavarella, Elys Game Technology Chairman

Elys Game Technology became earlier this month the first company to apply for a Type C license in Ohio. The firm is seeking to expand its small establishments model, which it first launched in D.C. in 2021. This has proven to be a successful strategy thus far, and Elys opened its 4th and 5th white label sportsbooks at two Washington DC restaurants and bars last month.

In conversation with Yogonet this week, Elys Chairman Mike Ciavarella said that since the gross gaming revenue for the state could potentially reach $300 to $400 million its first full year, the opportunity in Ohio is one the company “could not ignore.”

“Ohio legislators took a view that makes a lot of sense in the sports betting business. This wide range of distribution gives sports bettors multiple options for placing their bets and closely replicates the European landscape,” Ciavarella added. “This strong relationship with Elys’ origins [in Italy] and experience raises our expectations of successfully capturing a significant slice of the market in Ohio.”