Here's which team got the first bet at Scioto Downs as sports betting now legal in Ohio
As sports betting became legal Sunday in Ohio, the first sports bet placed at Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs on Columbus' Far South Side was $100 on the Cincinnati Bengals to beat the Buffalo Bills in their Monday Night Football game.
Bettors across the state looked enthusiastically to placing bets on sporting events through 16 mobile online sportsbook betting apps or at 12 retail locations that were approved and expected to be up and running by Sunday, according to the Ohio Casino Control Commission, which is regulating sports betting in the state.
Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs, a racetrack and casino owned by Caesars Entertainment, recently installed a physical sportsbook inside the casino, with a staffed counter and kiosks for placing bets, said Amy Ankerson, senior vice president and general manager of the racino.
Throughout the state, most bets are anticipated to come through mobile app sports betting. Ankerson said 25% of bets placed on the Caesars Ohio Sportsbook since midnight have been for the Cleveland Browns.
At Eldorado Scioto Downs, Jim Schrader, 58, of Grove City, said he was placing bets on Sunday's football games with his friends as a sort of bachelor party for a friend getting married next month.
"It's about time. A bunch of people have been looking forward to it — I know we have," Schrader said.
Read more: Cleveland Browns earn first legal sports bet in Ohio
Ohioans were unfortunately unable to wager on Saturday's Ohio State University football game, which ended in a stunning 42-41 loss to Georgia, just after midnight.
"I bet they wish that game was today," Schrader said.
Where can I place a legal sports bet?
In addition to Eldorado Gaming, casinos around the state have sportsbooks where people can watch games and place bets, while sporting arenas and professional teams from across the state — including Nationwide Arena in Columbus, the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Progressive Field in Cleveland the Cleveland Cavaliers — have indicated obtained approval or plan to have sportsbooks in the future.
Most Ohio residents who plan to place bets on sports are expected to use sports betting apps such as Tipico, Draft Kings, Caesars Ohio Sportsbook, BetMGM Ohio Sportsbook, Barstool Ohio Sportsbook or FanDuel to bet anywhere in the state at any time.
The state Casino Control Commission on Dec. 23 warned all “sports betting stakeholders” that any advertisements or communications must not target people under age 21 and and must in a conspicuous location include a message about responsible gambling.
On Friday, the commission said it intends to fine DraftKings Sportsbook $350,000 for mailing some 2,500 advertisements to people under age 21 in November. DraftKings has the right to challenge the proposed fine.
How to get help in Ohio if you or someone you know may have a gambling addiction?
The Ohio Casino Control Commission maintains a list of gambling addiction resources across the state: https://casinocontrol.ohio.gov/ResponsibleGambling/ResourcesforProblemGamblers.aspx
You can also reach out to the Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-589-9966. Free help is available.
@Colebehr_report
Cbehrens@dispatch.com
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Bettors celebrate legal sports betting in Ohio at Scioto Downs
