More than 1,000 businesses are vying for sports gambling kiosks in Ohio

The state’s law that legalized sports gambling created several ways to place bets, including mobile apps, physical sportsbooks and the kiosks that will be available in bars, restaurants and bowling alleys Jan. 1.

The kiosks will mostly be under the Ohio Lottery Commission’s purview. The “Type-C” licenses needed will come from the Ohio Casino Control Commission, but only after the businesses get a recommendation from the Lottery Commission.

If a business wants its kiosk on the Jan. 1 start date, they’ll need to get their application submitted to the Casino Control Commission by Aug. 15.

Over 1,000 businesses in Ohio have been preapproved by the Lottery Commission so far, according to a list released on Friday. About 130 of them have taken the next step to apply to the Casino Control Commission. As of Friday, 27 bars and restaurants in Cleveland applied and were preapproved by the Lottery Commission. Businesses have to pay a $1,000 fee to apply.

For a business to apply, it needs to be a currently licensed lottery retailer and have a D-1, D-2, or D-5 liquor permit, which are reserved for business that serve alcohol on the premise. The license holder also has to be a for-profit. So a VFW post or an Eagles Club wouldn’t be able to apply.

The Casino Control Commission will keep accepting applications after the Aug. 15 deadline, spokesperson Jessica Franks said. But getting an application in before the deadline guarantees review before sports gambling starts.

Has your favorite bar been preapproved for a sports gaming kiosk?

Over 1,000 businesses have been preapproved for a sports gaming kiosk. Use the searchable chart to see if your favorite bar or restaurant has been preapproved. It works best if you search by city, but you can also search by business name, zip code and address.

by Sean McDonnell