Another operator is trying to get ahead in the not-yet-active Ohio sports betting market.
Caesars Entertainment Inc. announced Thursday that its Caesars Sportsbook is now live via desktop computers and its mobile app in the Buckeye State.
Would-be wagerers can register and deposit funds with the bookmaker but there is no gambling allowed on online sports betting sites in Ohio until January 1, 2023, the state's universal start date.
Caesars is also dangling a bonus for players who sign up in advance of the launch date, giving them a $100 bet credit if they register using the promo code "COVERSTIX" and deposit at least $20 before January 1. They can then put the credit to use starting in 2023.
"Ohio's rich tradition of sports excellence speaks for itself," said Eric Hession, president of Caesars Digital, in a press release. "Caesars Sportsbook is ready to match the pedigree and passion of Ohio sports fans with a sports wagering experience that treats them like royalty."
Behold Buckeye State!
— Caesars Sportsbook (@CaesarsSports) October 27, 2022
The GREATEST sports betting app of all time is coming to Ohio soon ????@EliManning | @CaesarsRewards | @CaesarsEnt | @EldoradoScioto pic.twitter.com/RwVkIQq1RN
Ohio will be a hotly-contested market for mobile bookmakers given its sizable population and strong sports culture, which might explain why Caesars would want to get out in front of the official launch and start locking up customers.
Nothing is stopping other operators from doing the same in Ohio, so players should expect similar offers thrown their way in the run-up to the start of legal sports betting on January 1. Indeed, FanDuel has already rolled out a similar pre-launch bonus in the state.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission has said it is fine for operators to advertise, pre-register users, and allow those players to deposit funds before its universal start date for sports betting.
“To reiterate, all proprietors or services providers are free to engage in advertising, preregistration, and user recruitment (including accepting deposits), regardless of their licensure status,” the regulator said in an email last week.
The retail angle
Caesars has already been conditionally approved for a mobile management services provider license in Ohio, which will allow it to take online bets in the state on behalf of its "proprietor" partner, the Scioto Downs racetrack and casino in Columbus.
“The popular racino will open a state-of-the-art Caesars Sportsbook location to accept convenient cash-deposit sports wagers in person on the first day that legalized sports wagering goes live in Ohio,” the company said on Thursday.
Caesars is also partnering with the Cleveland Cavaliers for retail sports betting in Ohio. The company reiterated on Thursday that it plans to open a “best-in-class retail sportsbook” at street level inside the NBA team’s Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
“The new sportsbook, opening on Jan. 1, will mark the third at a U.S. professional sports facility for Caesars, adding to the historic first in-arena sportsbook of Caesars Sportsbook at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., and Caesars Sportsbook at Chase Field in Arizona,” Caesars added in its release.
