COLUMBUS, Ohio — Buckeye football returns this week, and with it comes a full season for Ohioans to place bets.
Gambling on sports became legal in Ohio on Jan. 1 and the expectations matched the excitement. Ohioans gambled more than $1.1 billion in the first month at sportsbooks, casinos, and online, according to revenue reports released by the Ohio Casino Control Commission.
June numbers showed a major slowdown, with $350 million in bets placed.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission told 10TV it will monitor the numbers once football returns.
“We will probably see an increase in wagers just because football is probably one of, if not the biggest, drivers for the industry,” said Jessica Franks, the communications director for the Ohio Casino Control Commission. “When we launched, we had NFL football playoffs, National College Football Championship, we had the Super Bowl and March Madness, then as you get later into spring and summer, those baseball, basketball, those kinds of things, they just don't drive wagers the way that football does.”
You still can’t bet on certain aspects of football, like the coinflip, sports drink color when it’s dumped on a head coach or halftime performances. The commission says the bets need to be based on the outcome of the live event.
Some wagers need special approval by the executive director, like most valuable player awards or league drafts.
New this month to college football, awards for the best of the best are now a go if the platform you use chooses to carry the new entries.
Other things that are now allowed are:
- Davey O'Brien Award to recognize student-athletes
- John Mackey Award for Most Outstanding Tight End
- Fred Biletnikoff Award for Most Outstanding Receiver
- Doak Walker Award honors top running back
The Ohio Casino Control Commission will release its revenue report on Aug. 31, the last batch of results before NCAA football launches in Ohio.
This July, the Ohio Legislature made a change in the state budget to increase the tax rate for proprietors from 10% in House Bill 29 to 20%.
With the start of football season, there will be an increase in commercial spots during and between plays. The Ohio Casino Control Commission says they are shifting focus to support efforts for those who need it.
“We're really conscious of making sure that folks know that there are resources available for those that may have an issue with problem gambling,” said Franks. “We encourage everybody to check [PauseBeforeYouPlay.org]PauseBeforeYouPlay.org, it's got a lot of helpful information and resources if somebody… a loved one, [if] they feel that they may have an issue with gambling.”