The Ohio Casino Control Commission provided the required authorization for HOFV to gain licensing for a physical sportsbook, as well as an online betting platform, under Ohio’s sports betting law HB29. Sports betting will become legal in Ohio on New Year’s Day, 2023, when anyone in the state that is of legal betting age will be able to place wagers.

“The legalization of sports betting in Ohio, opens up a breadth of opportunity across our company’s three business verticals and for our fans,” said Michael Crawford, HOFV president and chief executive officer. “We will have the only physical sportsbook in Stark County and the first dedicated sports microbetting platform via the Betr mobile app, bringing fans and guests a multitude of different and new ways to experience sports entertainment.”

Betr is backed by Ohio-native Jake Paul, who is a YouTuber and professional boxer.

HOFV previously announced 10-year partnerships with Rush Street Interactive, Inc. as its official retail sports-betting partner and Betr, founded by sports betting veteran Joey Levy and Paul, as its official mobile sports-betting partner.

The HOFV/RSI retail sportsbook will be named “BetRivers Sportsbook” and will be located at the Hall of Fame Village’s Fan Engagement Zone, a sports and entertainment-themed promenade.

According to the announcement, so-called micro-betting “enable[s] consumers to bet on nearly every moment of every live sporting event – from pitches and at-bats, plays and drives, shots and possessions.”

In addition to the sportsbook at the NFL Hall of Fame, as well as at casinos in Ohio major cities, physical sportsbooks and kiosks will be available in bars, restaurants and bowling alleys. Ohio is one of the largest untapped sports betting markets in the country.

Under the new law, the Ohio Lottery is regulating the kiosks. The Ohio Casino Control Commission controls the online sports betting regulation. The state is expected to see at least 10 sports betting apps.

The Ohio sports betting legislation called for a start date no later than Jan. 1, 2023. While the industry awaits the launch, Ohio sports teams have been busy preparing. The Cleveland Browns and Bally’s Interactive partnered for betting, while the Cleveland Cavaliers forged a relationship with Caesars Entertainment.

By Joe Mattia