Intralot and the Ohio Lottery Commission have signed a five-year agreement that will open the state to Intralot’s Orion Sportsbook.
Under the terms of the deal, Intralot will “utilize current lottery equipment and infrastructure to facilitate the sports betting journey for retailers and customers” in the Buckeye State.
The state has currently approved the use of 700 lottery locations that will go live next month. The duo anticipates that the terminal count could grow to more than 1,000 retail locations within several months of the official launch date, which is scheduled for January 1, 2023.
Currently, the company holds a provisional license issued by the Ohio Casino Control Commission, which enables it to operate under the agreement with the state lottery. Intralot said it anticipates the Commission will grant the company a five-year license shortly after the New Year.
Intralot has provided the state with a secure central gaming system since 2009. The system assists in delivering multi-state lottery games and in-state lottery games, as well as provides management and accounts for the state of Ohio.
Ohio is also scheduled to open its regulated sports betting market on January 1. State lawmakers passed House Bill 29 toward the end of 2021, setting statewide legalized sports betting in motion.
In other state news, Jack Entertainment, an Ohio-based company, recently released its latest television campaign ad “It’s An Ohio Thing,” in anticipation of the state’s sports betting launch early next year. The commercial features three local sports legends and gives the audience an inside look into the lives of local teams and Ohio residents.
