Former “Don Best Sports” Execs Partner with Ohio High School

A high school in Ohio is among the latest applicants for sports betting licenses as the state’s official launch on January 1, 2023, is fast approaching.

High School among Sports Betting Candidates

Spire Institute, a high school focusing on sports, has partnered with Out the Gate, a new sports betting operator led by former Don Best Sports executives, to apply for a sports betting license in the Buckeye State.

In June, the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) approved a timeline for the official launch of sports betting, both retail and mobile, that would be the biggest gambling expansion in the state’s history setting the launch date for the first day of 2023.

According to the sports betting bill that was passed into law by Governor Mike DeWine on December 22, 2021, there will be 25 Class A licenses available for casino operators, professional sports teams and venues, each of which could team with up to two online skins.

As Ohio host eight professional teams, NASCAR and the PGA and eleven casinos and racinos in total, the 25 Class A licenses seem to be more than enough with four remaining.

The law also provides for 40 Class B which will be available solely to retail sports betting operations. In addition, Class C licenses will allow restaurants and bars with a liquor license to offer sports betting self-servicing or clerk-operated kiosks at their venues.

Intensified Competition Ahead

Bet365 and Tipico were also among the latest to apply for a sports betting license in Ohio, joining the likes of Betfred, FanDuel, Fanatics and others. Bet365 partnered with MLB’s Cleveland Guardians while Tipico teamed with major soccer league’s Columbus Crew.

Betfred partnered with the Cincinnati Bengals of the NFL while Fanatics agreed on a deal with NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets despite not having a sports betting product yet. The Bengals is not the only NFL franchise to apply for a license as the Cleveland Browns shortly followed suit in partnership with Bally’s.

MLB franchise Cincinnati Reds and MLS team FC Cincinnatti joined forces with fantasy sports operator Underdog and Circa Sports’ Superbook, respectively, while NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers applied in partnership with Fubo.

Penn National Gaming’s four land-based casinos also applied for a sports betting license: Hollywood Casino Toledo in partnership with DraftKings, Hollywood Casino Columbus with Penn’s Barstool Sportsbook, Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley teamed with PointsBet, while Hollywood Gaming Dayton Raceway has not entered in a partnership yet. Available for mobile partnerships are also Boyd Gaming’s Belterra Park and Delaware North/Churchill Downs Miami Valley Gaming.

Hall of Fame Village casino teamed with Instabet, a sports betting operator with a license in Curaçao and focus on the Latin American region, while BetMGM, which was among the first to apply following the opening of the application process on June 10, partnered with MGM’s Northfield Park.