Best Ohio Sportsbooks (2025)
Ohio officially launched legal online sports betting on January 1, 2023, and in that time, it has quickly become one of the most competitive and exciting states for sports bettors.
Whether you’re placing your first bet on the Browns or looking for value on a Guardians futures ticket, Ohio bettors now have a full range of top-tier sportsbook apps to choose from.
This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know about the best Ohio sportsbooks — including welcome bonuses, app experience, odds value, and which platform suits your betting style.
Is sports betting legal in Ohio?
Yes, online sports betting is fully legal in Ohio as of January 1, 2023.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission oversees all betting operations, issuing licenses to sportsbooks that meet its regulatory standards.
You must be 21 or older and physically located within Ohio state lines at the time of placing a bet. Most major operators have geolocation tracking enabled to enforce this requirement.
What sportsbooks are legal in Ohio?
Ohio has more than a dozen licensed and active online sportsbooks.
Here are the top Ohio sportsbooks that are live and fully legal:
- FanDuel
- DraftKings
- bet365
- Caesars Sportsbook
- BetMGM
- Fanatics Sportsbook
- BetRivers
- ESPN BET
- Tipico
- Hard Rock Sportsbook
Each of these books offers something different, so choosing the right one depends on what matters most to you: app performance, promo value, betting variety, or customer support.
Top-rated Ohio sportsbooks (2025)
Below is a head-to-head comparison of the best betting sites Ohio, based on factors like app design, odds competitiveness, bonus value, and overall user experience:
1. FanDuel Ohio
FanDuel is the best all-around sportsbook in Ohio for 2025. The app is lightning-fast, intuitive, and optimized for live betting — one of its biggest strengths. It also offers robust same-game parlay options and a deep selection of player props, especially for the NFL and NBA.
The welcome bonus is simple and appealing: bet $5, and if it wins, you receive $250 in bonus bets instantly. Odds boosts are offered daily, and the early cash-out feature is reliable.
The downside? Prop pricing is sometimes slightly behind bet365 or DraftKings, and customer support can be sluggish.
Best for: NBA betting, live wagering
Weakness: Limited loyalty perks
Read our full FanDuel review.
2. DraftKings Ohio
DraftKings excels in nearly every department. Its mobile app is one of the cleanest and most responsive in the industry, with standout features like early line drops, fast-loading markets, and excellent same-game parlay functionality.
Ohio bettors get $200 in bonus bets instantly after a $5 wager — one of the most straightforward offers on the market. There’s also a 20% deposit match up to $1,000.
Beyond bonuses, DraftKings posts prop markets faster than competitors and offers BetVision, which lets you stream NFL games while placing live bets in the same screen.
Best for: Mobile experience, early prop lines
Weakness: Loyalty program is underwhelming
Read our full DraftKings review.
3. bet365 Ohio
bet365 is growing rapidly in Ohio thanks to its unbeatable odds, strong live betting experience, and user-friendly mobile app.
New users can choose between two offers: bet $5 and get $150 in bonus bets, or claim a $1,000 First Bet Safety Net. The app supports live streaming for soccer, tennis, and other sports — a rare feature among U.S. books.
Odds are especially strong in niche markets like golf, tennis, and international soccer. NFL and NBA early payout promos are another win — including payouts if your NFL team leads by 17+ points.
Best for: Odds value, soccer betting
Weakness: Lacks deep player prop menu
Read our full bet365 review.
4. Caesars Sportsbook Ohio
Caesars Sportsbook stands out in Ohio thanks to its elite rewards program, which ties into its nationwide network of casinos and hotels.
Ohio bettors get 10 profit boost tokens after a $1 qualifying wager, which can each double your winnings up to $2,500. The app includes NFL live streaming and a wide range of SGP options, especially for football.
It’s not the fastest app on the market, and some may find the layout slightly busy. However, the integration with Caesars Rewards makes it one of the most valuable books for repeat bettors.
Best for: Long-term loyalty value
Weakness: App can feel cluttered
Read our full Caesars Sportsbook review.
5. BetMGM Ohio
BetMGM continues to be a solid choice for Ohio bettors thanks to its reliable platform and strong sportsbook-casino integration.
The welcome bonus is generous: up to $1,500 back in bonus bets if your first wager loses. BetMGM also offers a quality live betting experience with live streaming, real-time stats, and one-click bet placement.
BetMGM Rewards is a major perk, letting users earn points across sportsbook, casino, and poker play — all redeemable at MGM properties in Las Vegas and beyond.
Best for: High-value welcome offer, cross-play rewards
Weakness: App performance can vary by device
Read our full BetMGM Review.
6. Fanatics Sportsbook Ohio
Fanatics is new to Ohio but already gaining traction, thanks to its sleek app and exclusive FanCash Rewards program.
New users can claim up to $1,000 in no sweat bets, or bet $50 to receive $250 in bonus bets. Every bet you place earns FanCash, which you can use toward merchandise or future bets.
The app experience is polished, with sharp branding and responsive performance. The only knock is that there’s no desktop site and limited niche market coverage.
Best for: Apparel fans, intuitive mobile UX
Weakness: No desktop access or live streaming
7. BetRivers Ohio
BetRivers is more of a second-tier option, but still brings solid value for specific types of bettors.
The $500 second-chance bet welcome bonus varies by state (only $100 in some cases), but BetRivers does offer frequent odds boosts, parlay insurance, and live streaming — something many competitors don’t have.
The iRush Rewards program is a big plus for long-term players, but the site layout and app UI feel dated compared to market leaders.
Best for: Parlay promos, live streams
Weakness: Clunky design, average odds
What to look for in an Ohio sportsbook
When comparing sportsbooks in Ohio, we recommend focusing on:
1. Licensing: Only bet with sportsbooks regulated by the Ohio Casino Control Commission.
2. Welcome bonus: Look for clear, low-risk promos. Bonus bets are better than complex rollover schemes.
3. App performance: Choose apps with fast loading times, responsive navigation, and reliable geolocation.
4. Payout speed: Most top sportsbooks pay out within 24–72 hours via PayPal, bank transfer, or Venmo.
5. Odds value: bet365 and DraftKings usually offer the best pricing. Check multiple books before placing bets.
6. Betting features: Same-game parlays, live betting, early cashout, and custom boosts are all big value-adds.
Ohio sportsbook payment methods
All legal Ohio sportsbooks support a variety of fast and secure banking options, including:
- Debit card (Visa/Mastercard)
- PayPal
- Apple Pay
- Venmo
- Online banking
- Play+ prepaid card
- Cash at partner casinos (e.g. MGM Northfield Park for BetMGM)
Minimum deposits usually start at $10, and most payouts are processed within 24–72 hours depending on the method.
Sports you can bet on in Ohio
Ohio sportsbooks offer markets on every major sport and dozens of niche leagues:
- NFL, college football
- NBA, college basketball
- MLB, NHL
- UFC, boxing
- Golf, tennis
- Soccer (MLS, EPL, Champions League)
- Motorsports (F1, NASCAR)
- eSports, darts, rugby, snooker, cricket
Note: College prop betting is restricted in Ohio, so you won’t be able to bet on individual college player stats.
Why you should sign up at multiple sportsbooks
There’s no rule saying you can only have one sportsbook. In fact, using multiple apps gives you:
- Access to more welcome bonuses
- Better odds by shopping lines
- Exclusive promos at different books
- Greater bankroll flexibility and options
We recommend starting with 2–3 top books like FanDuel, DraftKings, and bet365, then adding more over time as you learn your preferences.
Final word: Best Ohio sportsbook in 2025?
The right sportsbook depends on your betting style:
- For app speed and live betting: FanDuel
- For promos and early props: DraftKings
- For value odds and global markets: bet365
- For rewards and hotel perks: Caesars
- For beginners needing insurance: BetMGM
- For daily promos and merch perks: Fanatics
No matter which book you choose, always bet with a licensed operator and take advantage of bonuses responsibly.
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