The Cincinnati Bengals have announced a new addition to their roster: A Brit who’s over 50 years old.

That would be Betfred, which will partner with the reigning AFC champions to process and accept wagers under the new Ohio sports betting law. 

The Bengals on July 8 applied to the Ohio Casino Control Commission for a Type A license, the kind that is designated for online sportsbooks. Pending appropriate licensing and regulatory approvals, Betfred will launch an Ohio betting app that can be used when legal sports betting launches in the state on Jan. 1, 2023.

“The Bengals continue to look for exciting new ways to enhance the fan experience and this partnership will provide additional opportunities to engage with our fans," Brian Sells, the Bengals’ vice president and chief marketing officer, said in a release announcing the deal. "We look forward to working with Betfred to create fun, fan-focused activations that add to the excitement on game day."

Betfred Operating in Six States

The multi-year partnership makes Betfred the official sports betting partner of the Bengals, the first pro sports franchise to apply for a license under the new Ohio law. The American subsidiary of Betfred Group, a British bookmaker that’s been in business for over 50 years, Betfred is currently operating in six U.S. states.

"This is an exciting opportunity to partner with the Bengals as we continue to expand Betfred across the U.S. and into Ohio with the launch of sports betting in the near future," said Mark Stebbings, Betfred Group’s chief operating officer. "The Bengals are a premier franchise with a passionate fan base and a history of innovation that aligns with our brand. We look forward to engaging with fans across the state as we introduce them to unique betting promotions and content throughout the year."

A sports partnership is not new to Betfred, which also has deals in place with the Denver Broncos of the NFL and Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball. In addition to Ohio, the online bookmaker is also awaiting regulatory approval in Nevada and Maryland.

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More Applicants Likely Ahead

Jack Cleveland Casino, Jack Thistledown Racino, and Hall of Fame Village—an entertainment area around the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton—had also applied to host mobile sports betting as of July 8, the last time the Ohio Casino Control Commission updated its list of potential license holders. 

BetMGM Ohio, PointsBet, DraftKings Ohio, Betfair, Fanatics, and Penn National (which operates Barstool Sportsbook) have submitted mobile service provider license applications, too.

There are certain to be more applicants yet to come. The latest Ohio Casino Control Commission list does not include Caesars Sportsbook Ohio, which is building a retail sportsbook inside the home arena of the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers. It also does not include BallyBet, which has announced plans for a branded lounge inside the home arena of the NFL’s Cleveland Browns.

Jack Cleveland Casino, Jack Thistledown Racino and Hall of Fame Village have also submitted Type B applications, which are designated for retail sportsbooks. Mobile service providers and entities seeking Type A and B licenses started applying for licenses June 15. 

The application window for primary mobile service providers closes July 15, the same day the window opens for secondary mobile service providers and entities seeking Type C licenses, designated for bars and restaurants.

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