Best Ohio Sportsbook Promos December, 2023

Ohio sports betting launched for the first time on January 1, 2023, and boy, has it ever taken off. With online sports betting finally open for business, bettors in Ohio are, of course, hunting for the best sportsbook promo codes to help get off to a winning start.

We have welcome bonuses for five of the top online sportsbooks in Buckeye State, including the nation’s leading operator FanDuel, heavyweight bookmaker DraftKings, trail-blazing Caesars Sportsbook, betting giant bet365, and dynamic BetRivers.

How We Rated the Ohio Sportsbook Offers: Our Approach

Every sportsbook is going to claim to offer the latest and greatest deals, no matter what the topic is. As it pertains to welcome bonus offers, there are a few specific criteria that we take into consideration.

Overall, we believe the best welcome promotion blends feasibility, monetary value, ingenuity, and assuredness. That way, you are maximizing your experience, both concerning your betting capital and overall entertainment and experience. 

Here’s a closer look at what we took into consideration:

• Feasibility: It's not just the size that matters, we want to know how easy it is to attain the welcome bonus. That includes reviewing the terms and conditions for any egregious qualifying standards and also understanding the steps that need to be taken to redeem the offer. There’s no point in signing up for a $10K welcome bonus (not that one exists) if you have to meet a near-impossible rollover requirement or place an outrageous qualifying wager.

• Monetary value: Money talks, here, there, everywhere—that includes at sportsbooks. We have seen bonuses from trustworthy companies as high as $2,500 in recent years, while others have been only $50. Granted, there are still other criteria, but the goal of redeeming a welcome promo code is to add as much value to your account as possible.

• Ingenuity: Sports betting is a form of entertainment, and finding cool sportsbook promotions is the earliest form of entertainment-based innovation for sports bettors. A promo can be as simple as “sign up to guarantee this amount of winnings,” or it can be as intricate as “win this amount of money if this player scores this many points in the third quarter.” Whatever the case may be, it’s never a bad idea to add some spice to your portfolio.

• Assuredness: Simply put, we want to know what it takes to unlock the promo code winnings. Is the prize money guaranteed? Is there a 50/50 chance? Something else? This is an important consideration for us and should be for all new bettors.

• Payment/withdrawal options: Besides the bonus itself, we also consider what payment methods are available to players. Is the payout fast? Does the sportsbook accept e-wallets like PayPal? What is the minimum deposit? Are there any withdrawal limits? These kinds of things have a big impact on the overall experience of a sportsbook platform. 

Why You Should Trust Us

WSN is comprised of a team of sports betting and gambling industry experts. All of our information is fact-based and designed to blend details you need to know with our knowledge of how the industry works. 

Our team of writers and analysts also review each sportsbook one by one in nearly every capacity imaginable to draw an array of conclusions, one of which is determining which sportsbook offers the most alluring welcome bonus. We do this by reading the terms and conditions and “pulling back the curtains” to see each offer for what it really is.

A Closer Look at the Top Ohio Sports Betting Promotions

Ohio sportsbooks have welcome bonuses available for all new bettors. Even if you have placed a bet before, you can redeem a welcome bonus at a sportsbook so long as you do not already have an account with that company.

Here, we have provided information about the three welcome bonuses we have available for WSN followers.

1. DraftKings Sportsbook Ohio Promo - Bet $5, Get $150 Bonus Bets

Our five OH sportsbooks, DraftKings, FanDuel, PointsBet, bet365, and BetRivers, all share a few common requirements for bettors attempting to redeem welcome promo codes. Customers must be 21 or older and, as we already mentioned, may not have an existing account with the company.

The DraftKings Ohio offer comes in two parts.

The first part is a bet of $5 to win a $150 bonus bet, regardless of the outcome of the bet. This ensures bettors take home prize money, so long as they bet just $5. The minimum deposit of only $5 is as small as any top sportsbook on the market.

The second part of the deal is a 20% deposit match up to $1,000. We like the flexibility, since users don’t have to maximize the offer to get the deposit bonus, and we also appreciate that this too is a form of guaranteed betting power.

2. Caesars Sportsbook Ohio Promo - Up to $1,000 in Second-Chance Bets

Caesars Sportsbook Ohio offers its welcome bonus in the form of second-chance bets. You can qualify for up to $1,000 in bonus bets by registering your account using our link and promo code WSN1000.

If you place a bet and lose within 30 days of opening your account, Caesars will refund your initial wager, up to $1,000, in bonus bets. This gives you another chance to try, and if you win this time, you get to keep all of your winnings.

3. bet365 Ohio Promo - $1,000 Safety Net Bet OR $150 in Bonus Bets

European behemoth bet365 continues its expansion into the North American market with a great bonus code for Ohio. bet365 sportsbook's new customer offer gives you a choice between two excellent promos to start off your betting journey: get a $1,000 bonus bet safety net or $150 in bonus bets.

If you choose to get $1,000 bonus bets, you'll have to deposit at least $10 and bet at least $5. If your bet loses, you'll get the wagered amount, up to $1,000, back as a bonus bet. To get the most out of it, it's best to go big. You are either going to win your bet outright or get a second chance in the form of bonus bets.

If you prefer to start out with a modest sum of money, perfectly reasonable, the second bet365 option is a great pick because it only requires an initial bet of $5, and you'll get $150 in bonus bets no matter if your bet loses or wins. Keep in mind that you must make a deposit of $10 or more in order to qualify for the offer.

4. FanDuel Sportsbook Ohio Promo - Bet $5 on a Money Line, Get $150 in Bonus Bets + 3 Months of NBA League Pass

FanDuel Ohio keeps it short and simple. Just bet $5 on any monlyline sporting event, for example, NFL or MLB, and if you win, you will get up additional $150 in bonus bets. Plus, for a limited amount of time FanDuel also offers 3 months of NBA League Pass. Sign up at FanDuel and claim your welcome offer here.

5. BetRivers Sportsbook Ohio Promo - $100 in Second Chance Bets

BetRivers offer is modest when compared to heavy hitters like Caesars Sportsbook and bet365. If you are looking for a growing sportsbook witch offers decent promotions, and provides a wide range of markets, then BetRivers is a good choice for you.

BetRivers offers a great welcome promo with $100 in second chance bets. Which means that if your initial bet with a wager of up to $100 loses, BetRivers will give you up to $100 back in bonus bets. All the winnings you make with the bonus bets are yours to keep. All you have to do is create an account using our exclusive link and the promo code SPORTS.

How to Claim a Bonus Offer at Ohio Sportsbooks

Claiming a welcome bonus at any legal sportsbook is simple—probably much simpler than you imagine it is.

In other industries, links can just take you to spam links and waste your time, but that’s not the case here. Click any of our links to welcome promos at legal sportsbooks and you will be taken right to the sign-up page, sometimes with the promo code already locked and loaded.

Here is every step from start to finish that you need to take to redeem a welcome bonus at any legal sportsbook.

1. Visit the sportsbook site or app. You can get right to the registration page by clicking our promo code links.

2. If you do not click our link, find the button that says “Sign Up,” “Register,” or something similar in nature.

3. Find your state and advance.

4. Enter your information into the appropriate fields, along with the correct sportsbook bonus code (note that some sites do not require the entry of a code, just the click of our link).

5. Make a qualifying deposit—the amount normally ranges from $5 to $20, and the exact amount can be found in the terms and conditions.

6. Finalize your account.

7. Take any steps needed during post-registration, whether that be betting on a certain sport or game, accessing a market, or just checking your account balance.

Steps will differ in specificity for each bonus and company, but the general flow will be the same. The above guide also applies to any sportsbook mobile app as well as their websites. Once you knock out all of the prescribed steps, you will be entered into the full promo offer.

Who Qualifies for Ohio Sportsbook Bonuses?

We touched on the basic requirements for bettors looking to redeem Ohio sportsbook promos, but we have listed them out here.

1. Age 21 or older.

2. Not be on a self-excluded gambling list.

3. Be inside Ohio state lines. Even if you are an Ohio resident, you may not redeem the welcome bonus at any Ohio sportsbook if you are not within state limits.

4. Meet the minimum deposit requirement.

5. Use the offer within the given time period.

Different Types of Sports Betting Bonuses Explained

There are several main types of promotions used by the top online betting sites. We have taken the liberty of listing and further detailing a few of the most popular ones.

• Risk-free/second-chance bets: Some sportsbooks are starting to change the terminology from risk-free to second-chance or bet insurance, but they all describe the offer. Essentially, customers have a certain amount of bets (almost always just their first bet) insured with bet credits or bonus funds up to a certain threshold. So, if a bettor risks $50 and loses, the sportsbook will refund them $50 in compensatory site credits/vouchers.

• Risk-free/second-chance bets do not translate to direct winnings but provide bettors with opportunities to win back cash prizes. Bettors who make winning first bets will receive full cash payouts just as always.

• Bet to win: This is exactly what it sounds like: bet x amount of dollars, win x amount of dollars or bet credits. This methodology was used in the DraftKings and FanDuel offers we described earlier.

• Deposit bonuses: Sportsbooks sometimes offer the opportunity to win bet credits through a deposit match. The degree to which credits are awarded varies, and there is sometimes a playthrough requirement. 

• Guaranteed prizes: Sign up and win prizes. That’s it, no other questions asked.

• Odds boost/parlay boost: This type of deal is especially prevalent during marquee events such as the Super Bowl and NBA Finals. Odds boosts make odds in certain sports betting markets more profitable than they normally would be, this increases the returns from the bet and the profit you can make.

• Rewards: Some sportsbooks, such as Caesars Sportsbook Ohio, have reward programs for users which allow you to build up points/credits which you can later exchange for special gifts or experiences. While not a traditional sports betting bonus, these can still provide great value to bettors, especially those that bet frequently.

Common Sportsbook Bonus Terms & Conditions

Most sportsbook apps share a similar set of restrictions, exclusions and T&Cs when it comes to bonuses. Here are some of the most common ones that you should be aware of before signing up.

Wagering/playthrough requirements 

This is the minimum bet amount that must be meant for earning from the welcome bonus to be distributed. For example, if a deposit match has a 10x wagering requirement, then you must bet 10x the amount you deposited to unlock the bonuses.

Minimum deposit

The lowest amount of money that must be submitted in the first deposit to activate the promotion.

Minimum odds

The longest odds that a bettor may use to place their qualifying bet without being disqualified.

Market restrictions

Ohio has a fairly unrestricted betting marketplace, but there still can be some hang-ups. For example, some promotions may not be applied to futures bets, even if they meet the minimum odds criteria.

Fixed-odds markets

Traditional betting markets where odds come straight from sportsbooks.

Expiration date

The amount of time a user has to either activate the welcome bonus or use the bonuses earned from it.

Qualifying bet

The smallest amount of money that may be bet in order to activate the welcome offer.

How to Bet on Sports in Ohio?

Here’s a simple checklist for anyone who wants to bet on sports in Ohio.

1. Make sure you meet the basic criteria, such as being 21 or older.

2. Create an account.

3. Apply the relevant sportsbook promo code.

4. Review the terms and conditions.

5. Make a first-time deposit.

6. Place your first bet.

When Was Sports Betting Legalized in Ohio?

Sports betting was legalized in Ohio in December 2021 after receiving approval from Governor Mike DeWine, and the market opened for business on January 1, 2023, at 12:01 a.m. ET. Baseball legend and longtime Cincinnati Reds player and manager Pete Rose placed the first legal bet in the state’s history, opening the doors for all other Buckeye bettors.

Can I Claim Bonuses From Multiple Sportsbooks in Ohio?

Yes, you can claim multiple welcome bonuses from Ohio sportsbooks, but seldom more than one from the same sportsbook.

Do All Ohio Sportsbooks Have Betting Promotions?

Sportsbooks are not required to run promotions for new and/or returning users, but practically all of them do. If you want to see a full list of the options available to you, just look for the “promotions” section on your favorite sportsbook.

What are the Most Popular Teams to Bet on in Ohio?

The Buckeye State is home to some great teams to place wagers on. In football, you have both the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns to bet on in the NFL. Ohio is also home to the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball team, who won their first NBA Championship in 2016.

OH boasts two MLS soccer teams in Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati, and two MLB teams in the Cincinnati Reds and the Cleveland Guardians. If hockey is more your thing, then you can look to bet on the Columbus Blue Jackets in the NHL.

When it comes to college sports, Ohio has eight NCAA Division 1 football teams and is one of only two states to have two universities make an appearance in the College Football Playoffs - the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Cincinnati Bearcats.

Final Verdict on Ohio Sportsbook Promos

Ohio sports betting went live Jan. 1, 2023 and it's no surprise that it is already producing jaw-dropping results. We will continue to add more sportsbook operators to this page as and when they go live, you can expect BetMGM Ohio, BetRivers Ohio, Caesars Ohio, WynnBet Ohio, Unibet Ohio, and Tipico Sportsbook Ohio to make an appearance soon.

Getting started is made easy and exciting by redeeming a variety of welcome bonuses from any of the top online sportsbooks in the state, and we encourage players to do just that to gain an advantage. 

Find More Sportsbook Promos in These States

• New York

• New Jersey

• Colorado

• Michigan

• Illinois

• Pennsylvania

• West Virginia

• Iowa

• Indiana

• Tennessee