Bally’s, Cleveland Browns Team Up Ahead of Ohio Sports Betting Launch

Sports betting isn’t live in Ohio. But Bally’s and the NFL’s Cleveland Browns are preparing for that debut, announcing a wide-ranging partnership.

The gaming company’s Bally’s Interactive unit will become the official sports betting partner of the NFL franchise. Financial terms of the agreement weren’t disclosed, but the two sides describe it as “long-term.”

Pending appropriate licensing and regulatory approvals, the collaboration will be highlighted by a branded lounge at FirstEnergy Stadium, the launch of the mobile Bally Bet Sportsbook app in Ohio and free-to-play gaming opportunities for fans in the state,” according to a statement issued by the casino operator and the team.

Gov. Mike DeWine (R-OH) signed the state’s sports wagering legislation into law last December, making it the 33^rd state to join the legal sports betting lineup.

Ohio Sports Betting Update

The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) is in the midst of developing guidelines and rules that must be finalized before the launch of live betting. It’s expected the OCCC process could take up to six months.

That company is also planning to open retail sportsbooks at the JACK Cleveland Casino and JACK Thistledown Racino. As for Bally’s, it will be a major player on the Ohio sports betting scene in its own right.

“As the team’s designated sports betting operator, pending appropriate licensing and regulatory approvals, Bally’s will launch a mobile sports betting app for fans to place wagers on sporting events anywhere in the stadium and throughout Ohio,” according to the statement.

Bally’s Could Benefit From Browns

Pending completion of acquisitions and new construction, Rhode Island-based Bally’s will operate casinos in 13 states. But Ohio isn’t part of that group.

That makes the operator’s partnership with the Browns all the more meaningful because the team is one of the most popular in the state, and sports wagering competition there is likely to be fierce.

Bally’s Interactive has market access in 18 states by way of the Browns deal. That part of the gaming company includes the Bally Bet online sportsbook, an internet casino, daily fantasy sports app Monkey Knife Fight, and free-to-play game provider SportCaller, among other holdings.