Some Ohio Retailers Prep for Launch While Others Will Miss Big Day

At 12:01 a.m. on January 1, sports betting will go live in Ohio. Bettors will be able to walk into a sportsbook or open an app and place a bet. But what makes Ohio’s launch so interesting is that retailers across the state will offer sports betting kiosks. Much like lottery kiosks, bettors can place several types of wagers from the machines.

When sports betting launches, 771 kiosks will be live and ready to take bets. However, several big names will be missing from the list of retailers that have kiosks up and running.

Where will kiosks be available when sports betting launches in Ohio?

Bettors in every major city in Ohio have access to sports betting kiosks. The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) approved licenses for all types of businesses, including bars, bowling alleys, and restaurants. Any retailer that owns one of three liquor licenses and is a lottery retailer is eligible for a license.

Here’s a breakdown of how many kiosks will be live in Ohio’s major cities, per PlayOhio:

• Columbus: 46 kiosks
• Cincinnati: 43 kiosks
• Akron: 39 kiosks
• Toledo and Cleveland: 26 kiosks each
• Parma and Parma Heights: 22 kiosks
• Dayton: 17 kiosks
• Canton and North Canton: 16 kiosks
• Youngstown: 16 kiosks
• Brunswick: 7 kiosks

These numbers are likely to increase over time, as there are 1,499 businesses that the OCCC pre-approved for kiosks. Only around 1,000 have been approved to provide the machines.

In the meantime, retailers across the state are gearing up for the Ohio sports betting launch. Several Canton restaurant and bar owners spoke with The Republic ahead of tomorrow’s sports betting debut. They told the paper they don’t expect massive lines at their kiosks—they’re playing more of a wait-and-see game when it comes to expectations.

Big names will be missing on January 1

As small businesses around the state prep for their kiosk launches, there are several well-known brands that won’t have machines ready by January 1. Kroger, Giant Eagle, and Roosters, which plan to offer more than 130 kiosks between them, are holding out.

Roosters President Dan Ponton told local media that he wants to wait until the dust settles before making a decision about kiosks. A Kroger representative said the company was still doing its due diligence for the program.

Starting late means that Kroger and Roosters will miss out on revenue from the machines. However, Ponton said his restaurants are always busy, so he’s not worried about losing any foot traffic to competitors with kiosks.

Rules for kiosk sports betting

Placing a bet at an Ohio sports betting kiosk is a little different than doing so on a sports betting app or at a sportsbook.

Players must have a valid ID to play, and can only bet up to $700 a week. Kiosks offer only four types of bets:

• Spread bets
• Over-under bets
• Moneyline bets
• Parlays

If a bettor wins, they can cash out at any Ohio Lottery retailer.