TOLEDO, Ohio — You may notice the addition of new sports betting kiosks when you walk into your local bar, restaurant or casino now since sports betting became legal in Ohio right as the new year hit.
Jessica Franks, a spokesperson for the Ohio Casino Control Commission, said sports betting can create new opportunities and bring in more revenue for the state, but it may take a couple of months before they can project it.
"We're not going to know for certain when we get those numbers in, but the commission's been working for the better part of a year on all of our rules and regulations," Franks said.
The commission helps monitor the state's other three casinos, gaming, contests and amusement machines. They also regulate and license those who want to operate in the industry as well as make sure they follow the law.
Franks said there are three types of licenses issued for sports gambling in the state:
- Type A: "Online or mobile gaming"
- Type B: "Las Vegas-style retail sportsbook establishments"
- Type C: "The sports gaming lottery, which are those kiosks at the bars"
At the physical sportsbook locations, Franks said people can walk up to a cage or a window and place a wager. Casinos and racinos -- a combined race track and casino -- have kiosks available that can be used to place wagers.
The Ohio Lottery Commission will monitor the bar kiosks, which include Toledo-based UBet Ohio based in Toledo.
"We have kiosks in all of the major cities: Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Toledo, Dayton, Defiance," UBet's Marketing Director, Tatum Lenavitt, said. That was just our first round and we're rolling out our next set of kiosks in the next set of weeks."
She said the goal is to have 150 kiosks around the state next year with the help of the bar's partnerships.
"Our job is to get people into the bar, keep them in the seats watching the game and create a great experience. We're excited to work with everyone," Lenavitt said.
PlayOhio projected $8 billion in bets could be placed this year, which would rank Ohio as the fourth biggest sports betting market in the U.S. Ohioans over 21 years old can bet a maximum of $700 per week.
The legalization of sports betting could increase the development of a gambling disorder, Ohio State University addiction specialist Trent Hall said.
If you or someone you know is struggling with a gambling addiction, contact the Ohio Problem Gambling Hotline at 1-800-589-9966.