HOFV, Xpoint, & bet365 celebrate conditional Ohio sports betting licenses

The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) has conditionally licensed several companies to provide their sports wagering services in the state.
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The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) has conditionally licensed several companies to provide their sports wagering services in the state when it launches its sports betting market on January 1, 2023.

Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company (HOFV), Xpoint, and bet365 are just a few of the many companies that were granted licenses and all three have celebrated their new status in the Buckeye State.

HOFV’s Ohio sportsbooks

HOFV has secured mobile and retail sportsbook licenses in Ohio, as the company has 10-year partnerships with Rush Street Interactive (retail) and the micro-betting operator betr (online), which was founded by sports betting industry veteran Joey Levy and media mogul Jake Paul.

“The legalization of sports betting in Ohio opens up a breadth of opportunity across our company’s three business verticals and for our fans,” commented Michael Crawford, President and CEO of HOFV.

“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.”

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. 

The HOFV/betr mobile sportsbook is accessible by downloading the betr app, offering consumers the opportunity to bet on nearly every moment of every live sporting event via micro-betting. Customers can use a free-to-play version of the app now before its full launch once the state’s sports betting market goes live.

Xpoint geolocation tech in Ohio

Xpoint has also been conditionally licensed by the OCCC to provide its geolocation technology services to operators in Ohio.

“I would like to thank the members and executive staff of the Ohio Casino Control Commission for granting Xpoint with our conditional license to operate in Ohio,” noted Marvin Sanderson, CEO of Xpoint.

“To be licensed to provide our technology solutions in the Buckeye State from the start of legalized sports betting is a huge honor, and we are looking forward to working with multiple partners in Ohio to help them engage with their consumers safely, securely, and free from fraud.”

The Ohio licensing comes as Xpoint rebrands itself and becomes a board-level member of the American Gaming Association (AGA).

Bet365 celebrates Buckeye State entry

Bet365 has also received a conditional license for Ohio, and it is offering an early sign-up bonus of $100 in free bets to those that register with the operator before December 31.

A spokesperson for the operator said: “Ahead of our launch on January 1st, bet365 is pleased to provide this early sign-up offer for sports fans across Ohio. Ohio has such a rich sporting history, and bet365 is proud to be a part of it.

“Whether you’re a Guard’ or a Red, follow the Cavs or the Bengals, or if the Blue Jackets are your team, we at bet365 will have an offer, a promotion, and a live stream ready for you in 2023.”

Last week, Caesars Entertainment also went live with its Caesars Sportsbook app in Ohio ahead of the state’s regulated sports betting launch.

Other online sportsbooks which have been granted conditional licenses for the Buckeye State include FanDuel, DraftKings, Barstool, Betfred, BetMGM, BetRivers, Hard Rock, PointsBet, Superbook, and Tipico.

Alongside HOFV, Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati and Miami Valley Gaming have been granted conditional licenses for retail sportsbooks in Ohio.

BetMGM is also planning to open a retail sportsbook at Great American Ball Park through its official sports betting partnership with the Cincinnati Reds.