Top stories around our network this week
With Maryland seemingly off to a healthy start with its modern era of sports betting by phone and computer, the focus shifts to Ohio, which has about 5 million more residents and is thus a more attractive market for operators. It celebrates the new year by letting Ohioans engage legally in digital and retail betting at the same time, at 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 1.
reported this week that as many as 18 digital sportsbooks may be ready to launch on the first day, with all or nearly all of the major players in the industry lined up. Of note compared to other states, Ohio’s regulator is embracing esports as a potential betting option, while setting odds on events outside of athletic competitions — such as on the Academy Awards or a coin flip or Gatorade color (popular Super Bowl betting options in some places) — will largely be prohibited.
As casinos and other venues make final preparations to have their on-site betting parlors ready by month’s end, reports surfaced that former Ohio Speaker of the House Larry Householder has been accused by federal prosecutors of involvement in a “pay-to-play” scandal connected to discussion of the state’s sports betting legislation. That remains to be adjudicated or proven, but regardless, Ohioans are going to have a wide range of betting options immediately after the state’s launch, including a full NFL slate on Sunday, Jan. 1.
and its network of sites, including , will be on top of everything relating to the state’s launch between now and Jan. 1, in addition to much more, as this past week’s articles show.
For more from ESPN, stay tuned
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