Ohio's sports betting market continued to mature in 2025. Nearly three years since launch on January 1, 2023, the Buckeye State has established itself as one of the largest legal sports betting markets in the country—ranking consistently in the top 5 by handle.
Here's how the year unfolded for Ohio bettors, which sportsbooks led the way, and what's on the horizon.
BY THE NUMBERS
Ohio's market growth has slowed from the explosive first-year numbers, which is expected for a maturing market. The focus has shifted from customer acquisition to retention, with promotional spending decreasing and hold rates stabilizing.
MARKET SHARE LEADERS
The national players continued to dominate Ohio's market:
Estimated Ohio Market Share 2025
DraftKings and FanDuel combined controlled roughly 60% of Ohio's market—consistent with their national dominance. BetMGM maintained a solid third place, while bet365 continued building share with its strong live betting product.
KEY MOMENTS OF 2025
NFL Playoffs & Super Bowl
Record handle for Ohio as NFL playoffs drove engagement. Super Bowl betting exceeded $150M in Ohio wagers alone.
March Madness Mania
Ohio State's tournament run generated massive local betting interest. OSU games saw 3x normal handle.
ESPN BET Relaunch
ESPN BET continued refinement after 2024 launch, improving app experience and promotional offers.
NFL Season Kickoff
Browns and Bengals drove Ohio's biggest betting month. September handle set new state records.
Ohio State vs Michigan
The Game generated the single biggest betting handle for any college game in Ohio history.
Market Matures
Promotional spending declined as operators focused on profitable customers over new acquisitions.
OHIO TEAMS: BETTING RECAP
🏈 Cincinnati Bengals
🏈 Cleveland Browns
🏀 Cleveland Cavaliers
🏈 Ohio State Buckeyes
Note: Final records updated at season end.
WHAT CHANGED FOR BETTORS
Welcome Bonuses Evolved
As the market matured, welcome bonuses shifted. The massive first-year offers gave way to more sustainable promotions. Expect bonus bets in the $100-300 range rather than the $1,000+ offers of early 2023.
Loyalty Programs Improved
With acquisition costs rising, sportsbooks invested more in keeping existing customers. DraftKings Dynasty, FanDuel's tiered rewards, and BetMGM's MGM Rewards all expanded their benefits for regular bettors.
Live Betting Grew
In-game betting continued gaining share, now representing roughly 30% of total handle. bet365 and DraftKings led in live betting innovation and speed.
Same-Game Parlays Dominated
SGPs remained the most popular product category, especially for NFL and NBA games. High-margin for books, high-engagement for bettors.
💡 The Smart Play
As bonuses shrink, focus shifts to fundamentals: line shopping, bankroll management, and avoiding high-vig products like big parlays. The free money era is over—sustainable betting practices matter more than ever.
WHAT'S AHEAD FOR 2026
Trends to watch in Ohio's sports betting market:
- Consolidation possible: Smaller operators may exit or merge as the market becomes less profitable for non-leaders
- Micro-betting growth: Play-by-play betting (next play, next pitch) will expand
- AI-powered features: Personalized odds boosts, smart bet suggestions, and automated bankroll tools
- Responsible gambling focus: Regulators may tighten rules around advertising and promotional tactics
- Browns stadium situation: A new stadium could affect in-person betting options
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Ohio remains a top-5 market with $12B+ in annual handle
- DraftKings and FanDuel dominate with ~60% combined share
- Market is maturing—growth slowing, promotions decreasing
- Live betting and SGPs drove engagement gains
- Bonuses are smaller—fundamentals matter more than promos now
🏈 Ready for 2026?
Compare Ohio sportsbooks for the best current offers and find the right fit for your betting style. View our complete sportsbook comparison.