Ohio Football Betting Guide

Ohio State FlagOhio is the home to multiple professional and collegiate sports programs and teams, including two NFL football teams. Ohio sports bettors deserve an opportunity to bet on their favorite football teams and players, whether those teams are located in Ohio or out of state. However, the confusion and misinformation surrounding Ohio sports betting has caused many sports fans to shy away from enjoying this type of gambling entertainment, unsure what options are legal and what options are off limits for US bettors.

The objective of this guide is to provide clear and concise information that is accurate and up to date so that players can consider their options as well informed bettors making decisions that suit their personal needs best. We will cover the legality of betting on football in Ohio, the best options available to bettors, and provide a short overview of some of Ohio's most beloved football teams and programs.

Is it legal to bet on football in Ohio In 2024?

As mentioned on the homepage, there are legal, high quality online sports betting options available to bettors in Ohio. There are not any brick and mortar destinations which allow betting on any sports, including football, so the virtual sportsbooks are the best option for Ohio football fans. The key to successfully engaging in legal online football wagering is to selectively visit only those sites which are operating legally within the industry and that provide a wagering environment that offers premium service to bettors.

There are no state or federal laws which prohibit this type of betting. It is not legal for anyone to offer any type of Internet football betting within the state of Ohio at this time. The legally licensed and regulated football betting sites located outside of the United States are the only legal opportunity for bettors in Ohio or the US in general to legally participate in this type of gambling entertainment. Internet cafes have been outlawed in Ohio, so we urge you to avoid them at all costs.

Top 5 Ohio Online Sportsbooks For 2024

SportsbookBonus OfferOH AcceptedVisit Site
Bovada Sportsbook50% Max $250Play Now
BetUS Logo125% Max $3,125Play Now
Mybookie Sportsbook Logo100% Max $1,000Play Now
Betonline Sportsbook50% Max $1,000Play Now
Bookmaker Sportsbook100% Max $300Play Now

Can I bet on both college and NFL football games at Ohio football betting sites?

Absolutely. The legal offshore sports wagering sites that we recommend in this guide all offer a wide range of betting lines that include collegiate and professional football leagues such as the NFL and NCAAF, as well as various European leagues. Ohio football teams are included in this lineup. In addition, the brands we approve also offer player and team props, and live betting options for enhanced action, as well as a mobile sportsbook application for registered bettors. You will find a strong selection of wagering options that span just about any type of betting structure you can think of.

Are there bonus offers available for betting on Ohio football teams?

You will be hard pressed to find any online football betting destination that does not offer some type of new player welcome bonus as well as seasonal promos and reload bonuses. You can use that free money to bet on your favorite Ohio football team or any other football team around the country or even overseas. The majority of welcome and reload bonuses are structured as 'match deposit bonuses', which means that the Internet sports betting site you are betting at will match a certain percentage of your initial or reload deposit.

For example, if the bonus offer is a 50% match up to $250, then the sportsbook will match 50% of your deposit not to exceed $250, providing you a maximum of $250 in free money. This provides a nice bankroll boost that allows bettors to go big when betting. Please remember to review the wagering terms and requirements to ensure you understand what is involved. The sportsbooks included in this guide have been extensively reviewed, including their bonuses and promotions, so we have verified that their terms and wagering requirements are fair and reasonable.

There are some low quality and questionable football betting sites out there that make the requirements impossible to meet, causing players to be at a disadvantage when claiming bonus money. We did not include any of those brands in our guide.

Where can I find legal, reputable and high quality Ohio football betting sites?

By just jumping onto the Internet and performing a standard Google search, you will yield a large number of results. The difficulty comes by way of vetting all those sites for legitimacy and quality. We do urge you to rely on the input of professionals when selecting a trusted online sportsbook. This guide provides a refined listing of top rated and legally licensed online football betting sites that accept bettors from Ohio, and that are subject to strict regulatory oversight, ensuring they are safe and reliable options. Our analysts are also professional gamblers with combined experience that spans decades. We have personally vetted each site you see in this guide, and you can be sure they are the best that the industry has to offer. You will find the results of our reviews below. The list is not long as we only included those brands at the very top of the food chain.

Ohio's Professional NFL Football Teams

Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals were founded in 1966, and joined the NFL after the AFL merger. They are members of the AFC within the NFL. They have had 2 conference championships in 1981 and 1988 in which they made it to the Super Bowl, but were defeated in both games. They have had 12 playoff appearances and 8 division championships on their record. They ended the 2013 season with an 11-5 record, winning the AFC North only to be defeated in the wild card round of the playoffs. The Bengals have three players who were inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Anthony Munoz, Charlie Joiner and Paul Brown. Paul Brown also won Coach of the Year twice. You can get more information about this team in our guide to betting on the Cincinnati Bengals.

Cleveland Browns

This is Ohio's second professional NFL team and is considered to be the more successful of the two NFL franchises in Ohio based on overall records. They were established in 1945 and have been a member of the NFL since 1950. They boast 28 playoff appearances, 13 division championships and 11 conference championships, as well as 4 NFL championships. They have not won a Super Bowl game since 1964. They finished the 2013 season last in the AFC North Division with a record of 4-12, losing seven games in a row. The dire finish of the 2013 season saw the firing of head coach Chudzinski after only one year on the job. They will come into the 2014 season with new head coach Mike Pettine, who was the former defensive coordinator for the New York Jets. Visit the Cleveland Browns website for more information about this team.

Most Popular Ohio NCAAF College Football Teams

This is not a complete listing of all of Ohio's collegiate football programs, just some of the largest and most popular. Though they all merit honorable mention, in the interest of time and available space, we've only provided a peek at the top teams.

Ohio University Bobcats

The Ohio Bobcats represent Ohio University in the Mid-American Conference of the NCAA, participating in the Division 1 Bowl Subdivision. The school is located in Athens, OH. The team was founded in 1894. Between the years 1953 and 1968 the Bobcats won 5 MAC football championships, as well as 3 MAC East Division championships between the years 2006 and 2011. They have made 8 Bowl Game appearances, with 5 consecutive appearances 2009 through 2013, and claimed the National College Championship title in 1960, They ended the 2013 season at 7 wins and 6 losses, which included a loss in the Beef O'Brady's Bowl game to East Carolina University. Visit the Ohio Bobcats official website.

Ohio State Buckeyes

The Buckeyes represent Ohio State University in the Division 1 Football Bowl Subdivision of the NCAA in the East Division of the Big Ten Conference. They are a highly successful football program with 7 national championships, 2 division titles, and 36 conference championships under their belt, as well as 10 undefeated seasons. They have had 7 Heisman trophy recipients. The team finished the 2013 season with a record of 12 wins and 2 losses, which included their loss to Clemson in the Orange Bowl. You can get information about their upcoming season from our page dedicated to Ohio State Buckeyes football betting.

Kent State Golden Flashes

The Kent State Golden Flashes represent Kent State University located in Kent, Ohio. They are members of the MAC (Mid American Conference) East Division in the NCAAF Bowl Subdivision. They have claimed one conference title and one division title since their founding in 1920. 8 former Kent State football players are NFL players currently on active rosters. The 2012 season was their first really exciting season with their first conference championship game and a school record of 11 winning games. It has been said that Coach Darrel Hazell achieved one of the greatest turn arounds in history of any collegiate football program. After their 2012 stellar season, finishing the 2013 season at 4-8 had to be a big disappointment for them. Get information about their upcoming season as well as headlines and stats from previous seasons on the Kent State Golden Flashes website.

Cincinnati Bearcats

The Cincinnati Bearcats represent the University of Cincinnati as a member of the NCAA Division 1 Football Subdivision in the AAC. The football program was founded in 1885, making it one of the nation's oldest programs. The Bearcats have claimed 12 conference titles and have appeared in 8 bowl games with a post season bowl game record of 8-7. The team has had 90 players make it to the pro's, with 35 of those players earning All American distinctions. They closed out the 2013 season with a final record of 9-4. Learn more on the Cincinnati Bearcats official website.

News Headlines and Articles About Ohio Football Teams

Against All Odds, the Buckeyes Win It All as First NCAA CFP Champions

Ohio State Jolts Alabama in Huge 2015 Sugar Bowl Upset