Hard Rock Cincinnati Showcases Downtown Sportsbook Ahead of Launch

On Tuesday, exactly two months before it and others in Ohio may begin providing legal sports betting, Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati showcased its sports betting operation. The casino is a key aspect of Hard Rock’s strategy to differentiate itself from the competition even in the sports betting space.

That is because its gambling operation is already an attraction that many regular visitors value. Additionally, the Cincinnati site of the Hard Rock is part of a loyalty program that allows members to earn points that may be used at any Hard Rock location in the United States or abroad.

Lots of Competition

As was to be anticipated, Hard Rock would face a great deal of competition from other local businesses. To begin with, the Cincinnati Reds, FC Cincinnati, and Belterra Park have all been given the green light to begin operating as physical retail sports betting venues.

One will be constructed by the Reds in the space formerly occupied by the Machine Room. The Cincinnati Bengals, along with the others, have been permitted to offer mobile betting. It is anticipated that the Warren County location of Miami Valley Racing and Gaming will also be granted permission to operate a sports betting business.

Casinos, racinos, and professional sports facilities in Ohio may apply for one of 40 available licenses to provide in-person sports betting. It also allows for thousands of licenses for kiosks in pubs and restaurants with liquor licenses and twenty-five licenses for mobile betting companies.

As the statewide launch of legal sports betting in the Buckeye State nears on January 1, 2023, more businesses will be eligible to apply for licenses. A fair number of applications are being processed and approved by gaming commissioners.

Mobile Sports Betting Plans in Ohio

Ohio is also seeing a lot of growth in the mobile sports betting industry. Dozens of mobile providers have been granted the green light by Ohio’s sports betting authorities and may begin offering wagering services in the state as soon as the new year starts.

On Wednesday, the Ohio Casino Control Commission provisionally authorized the newest round of licenses for mobile management service providers. These “proprietor” partners will be permitted to provide online sports betting via these operators.

The commission has conditionally granted licenses for five years as mobile management service providers to BetMGM, BetRivers, DraftKings, Hard Rock Sportsbook, and Tipico. Retail sports betting operator licenses were approved for BetMGM, Hard Rock, Tipico, and BetRivers.