Being the largest city in Ohio with close to a million residents and more than double the population of either Cleveland or Cincinnati it’s a little bit surprising that Columbus doesn’t have nearly the presence in the top sports leagues as their Ohio neighbors to the north and south. Columbus is home to the Blue Jackets in the NHL and the Crew in the MLS, but it’s the Ohio State Buckeyes that really command a ton of the fan support out of Columbus.
There is a silver lining though for Columbus residents. With Cleveland and Cincinnati just a two hour drive in either direction it’s easy enough for anyone living in Columbus to see the top level of any sport they choose after a short drive. This proximity high level sporting events has helped Columbus residents to adopt online sports betting as a normal and acceptable form of entertainment, with a large portion of Columbus sports fans now betting on sports online.
On this page I will explain the legality of sports betting in Columbus, both online and offline, and also provide a couple recommendations of reputable and popular sportsbooks that accept American residents.
Is Sports Betting Legal In Columbus?
Yes, sports betting is legal in Ohio. The Ohio sports betting law, HB 29, was signed into law in December of 2021, and the regulated betting market launched just over a year later in January of 2023. Many online betting sites and retail sportsbook locations started to take bets in Ohio on January 1st, 2023.
Columbus residents also have the option to bet on sports through offshore betting sites that are licensed and regulated outside of the USA, while still accepting US bettors. Below I’ve outlined two popular offshore betting sites where Columbus residents can bet online.
Top Betting Sites for Columbus Residents
- Built for American bettors
- Wide variety of competitive betting lines
- Easy to navigate betting platform
These are the two most reputable and well established sportsbooks that accept United States residents.
Bovada is our top rated betting site for Columbus residents because of their dedication to the American sports betting market. When they first launched, Bovada only allowed Americans to use the site. This allowed them to fully cater their betting platform and banking options to benefit American players. Bovada is now the most popular sportsbook among American bettors and they continue to prioritize the needs of their American customers. Check out our full Bovada review here.
Offline Sports Betting in Columbus
Hollywood Casino Columbus
Hollywood Casino Columbus in the west end of Columbus, opened a Sportsbook & Restaurant in their casino. The sportsbook features over 30 betting kiosks, 7 betting windows, and two jumbo televisions making it a great place to grab some food/drink, place a bet, and watch a game. The sportsbook is open daily from 10am to midnight.
Scioto Downs
Eldorado Scioto Downs is located a few minutes north-west of the Rickenbacker International Airport in Columbus. The racetrack offers live harness racing Tuesdays to Saturday’s throughout the summer months. Both live race betting and simulcast betting of horse races from across the country can be done at Scioto Downs.
Scioto Downs is considered a Racino because on top of the live racing the venue also has 2100 video lottery terminals to keep patrons entertained.
Bovada.lv also accepts bets on the live harness races that take place at Scioto Downs.
Major League Sports Teams in Columbus
- Columbus Blue Jackets (Hockey – NHL)
- Columbus Crew (Soccer – MLS)
- Ohio State Buckeyes (NCAAF)
How To Bet On Sports Online From Columbus
Follow this simple three step tutorial to bet on sports online from anywhere in Columbus.
Step 1. Join Bovada.lv
Click the above link and complete the overlay sign up form on the home page to open your account.
Step 2. Deposit
Log into your Bovada account and click the ‘Deposit’ link under your accounts drop down menu. Select your preferred deposit method (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.), enter the amount, and follow the instructions to fund your account.
Step 3. Place Your Bets
- Click ‘Sports’ from the top menu bar on the Bovada website.
- Select the sport you want to bet on from the secondary ‘All Sports A-Z’ menu and navigate to the betting markets you’re looking for.
- Select the odds of the bet you want to make to add it to your Bet Slip.
- Enter your risk amount on the Bet Slip and click ‘Place Bet’ to make your wager.
Ready to bet from Columbus? Click here to visit Bovada.lv.