When sports betting launches in Ohio on Jan. 1, bettors will have three different ways to place bets. Physical casinos and sportsbooks will accept bets in which players travel to those venues, place bets at ticket counters, and receive bet slips that they can redeem if their bet hits. 

Online sportsbooks like BetMGM Ohio and DraftKings Ohio will also launch, and bettors can register for new accounts on either the website or any of the top Ohio betting apps.

Those are the two traditional avenues of sports betting, but Ohio will feature a third option that’s lesser known and lesser used but every bit legitimate as retail sites and online sportsbooks. They’re called kiosks, and Ohio will feature thousands of these electronic betting machines across the state. Here’s how they’ll work:

What Are Ohio Betting Kiosks?

Similar to electronic lottery ticket machines that players see in gas stations and grocery stores, Ohio sports betting kiosks are physical machines that will allow bettors to place real-money bets with the various sports betting operators that go live in Ohio on Jan. 1. 

They are touch screens that look exactly like the interface of a betting app and are very user friendly. Many sportsbooks in legal states have betting kiosks around the outside of the seating area. 

When Will Ohio Sports Betting Kiosks Be Available?

Sports betting kiosks will be available beginning on Jan. 1, the official launch date of online sports betting in Ohio. Note that while physical casinos/sportsbooks and online sportsbooks will all go live on Jan. 1, it may take some time before all kiosks are up and running across the various locations they’ll eventually be featured in.

Where Will Ohio Betting Kiosks Be Located?

Bettors won’t need to look far to find a betting kiosk to use. They’ll be located in local businesses across the state. These venues include—but are not limited to—bars, restaurants, grocery stores, golf courses, and gas stations. From Cincinnati to Cleveland, bettors will be able to easily find a kiosk at any number of local retailers.

The Ohio Lottery has pre-approved more than 1,500 businesses to host these kiosks, with nearly 1,000 having been approved by the Ohio Casino Control Commission. There are a number of compliance materials that these locations will need to provide, including security measures and adhering to responsible gaming standards, before they’re up and running.

Take a look below at the list of approved businesses.

What Bet Types Are Available At Ohio Betting Kiosks?

This is where things differ a bit. Whereas physical sportsbooks and online sportsbooks will offer thousands of bets—including traditional, moneyline, totals, team and player props, and more—kiosks will offer a slimmed-down version of bet options. 

So while propositions bets and in-game wagering will not be available, that leaves bettors with the option to place bets on spreads, totals, and moneylines—while also being able to create parlays. Bettors must verify their identity to play at these kiosks, and they may place up to $700 per week across all betting kiosks in the state.

What Payment Types Are Accepted At Ohio Betting Kiosks?

Bettors should have no problem depositing money into these Ohio betting kiosks. Options like cash, debit/credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay will make depositing funds to place bets an easy proposition.

How Do I Cash Out a Bet From an Ohio Sports Betting Kiosk?

If and when you win your bets, players will have a few different options to receive their funds. You may receive cash at the local business where you placed your bet (if they have the available funds on hand), via mail, lottery offices, or locations that sell lottery tickets. 

While this will require a bit more work than if you were to win bets at an online sportsbook, rest assured that you’ll be able to receive your funds in relatively short order.