The stars will be visible – literally and figuratively – when Ohio becomes the next state to introduce legal sports betting at 12:01 am ET Sunday morning.
Sports betting sites are taking advantage of the state’s rich sports history to ring in the New Year and several have announced their plans for who will place their first official sports bet in Ohio.
We’re gathering the first betting details here, so you’ll know what each sportsbook is up to when the 7th most populous state in the US finally introduces legal sports betting. Here’s what we have so far; Be sure to check for updates!
Editor’s Note: Hey Ohio! Welcome to legal sports betting. Check out the best Ohio sports betting sites and the best Ohio sports betting promotions!
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Hard Rock Sportsbook
Referring to the members of the 1919 Chicago White Sox, today’s baseball fans think of Pete Rose when they think of illegal sports betting – so it’s only fitting that the MLB hit king and disgraced former player/manager made the first legal bet in the Hard completes Rock Ohio.
Rose, who was banned for life from baseball in 1989 for betting on the sport, will make the historic bet just after midnight at a New Year’s party at the Cincinnati Hard Rock Sportsbook — a celebration that will be attended by a handful of Ohio athletes, including ex- Reds hurler Bronson Arroyo, former Bengals running back Ickey Woods and offensive tackle Anthony Muñoz, and current running back Joe Mixon.
BetMGM Sportsbook
BetMGM is giving a Cincinnati Reds fan the opportunity to make history on Sunday by selecting a longtime season ticket holder to place the sports bookmaker’s first bet in Ohio.
The launch of the BetMGM Sportsbook at Great American Ball Park will double as an NFL watch party attended by athletes including former Reds star George Foster and ex-Bengals star Tim Krumrie.
The event will include a ceremonial ribbon cutting at 11:15 am, the unveiling of NASCAR star Kyle Busch’s new color scheme and free wings for any group of two or more. Free wings!
Typical sports betting
Tipico borrows from the colorful history of the Cleveland Browns franchise for its launch, leading former quarterback Bernie Kosar to place the first bet on the sportsbook’s Ohio app:
This dollar number is symbolic of Kosar, who wore the No. 19 during his memorable Browns tenure. The Ohio native made 105 starts for Cleveland from 1985 to 1992 and threw for nearly 22,000 yards with 116 touchdowns and 81 interceptions.
Kosar’s historic bet is part of a new partnership between Tipico and Cleveland-based entertainment network BigPlay. Tipico will be sponsoring a handful of BigPlay live shows and streams in hopes of expanding its reach into what is sure to be a competitive sportsbook in Ohio.
Here are our top rated sports bets:
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