Ohio sports betting goes live on Jan. 1, and it’s perfect timing given how many exciting sporting events are taking place among Ohio professional and college sports teams. Between the NFL playoffs, the NBA season and the College Football Playoff, there is no shortage of high-level action. Luckily, the sportsbooks are offering Ohio bettors all kinds of new-user bonus offers to add a little sweat to their favorite team’s big game. Here’s a look at the top 10 Ohio sporting events in January:
21+ and present in OH. Gambling Problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER
Top 10 Ohio Sporting Events in January
Jan. 9: Ohio State vs. Michigan Potential Championship Showdown
It might be cheating to start with a game that isn’t officially on the schedule. Nevertheless, assuming that the Ohio State Buckeyes get past the Georgia Bulldogs on New Year’s Eve in the first round of the College Football Playoff, it could set up one of the most anticipated games in Big Ten, and NCAA Football, history.
Ohio State-Michigan for the title doesn’t need any more excitement than it already has, but it couldn’t hurt to show support for the Buckeyes with a wager at one of Ohio’s new sportsbooks. There’s no doubt you’ll be watching, and you’ll have a lot of new user promos to spice it up if the Buckeyes take care of business and head to a showdown with the Michigan Wolverines, if they defeat the TCU Horned Frogs, on Jan. 9.
The Buckeyes are currently +350 at DraftKings to win the National Championship, and the odds of an Ohio State-Michigan matchup are +320. That’s a pretty good shot that this comes to fruition and is the biggest sporting event in Ohio in January 2023.
21+ and present in OH. Gambling Problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER
Jan. 2: Bengals vs. Bills on Monday Night Football
Ohio bettors won’t have to wait long to bet on a marquee NFL matchup featuring an in-state team. The Cincinnati Bengals will cap off NFL Week 17 with a prime time Monday Night Football game with the Buffalo Bills as both teams jockey for playoff positioning in the AFC.
The Bengals have already clinched a playoff berth, but a win in this game, coupled with a Baltimore Ravens loss would also clinch the AFC North. The Bills won’t make it easy and have plenty to play for, as well. If Buffalo wins, it can secure home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
The spread is Bengals +1 (DraftKings) and the total is 49.5 (-110). Bettors should continue to monitor line movement and injury news as this battle nears.
21+ and present in OH. Gambling Problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER
Jan. 8: Bengals vs. Ravens Season Finale
If the Bengals can’t beat the Bills in Week 17, and the Ravens take care of business, it will set up an exciting season finale for the AFC North title. There should be a host of playoff implications beyond just the division title as the next two weeks unfold. This will be another can’t miss for Ohio bettors. Regardless of what happens, there are still bragging rights on the line in this long-standing rivalry.
Oddsmakers have set the early line at Bengals -6 (-110), and you can get the over/under at 43 points (-110). There are no props yet, but Ohio bettors will have their eyes on JaMarr Chase. The Bengals wideout had a tough outing against the Ravens earlier in the season, but he put up 201 yards and 125 yards in the two games between these teams a season ago. He’ll make for an exciting bet for new Ohio bettors in this one.
21+ and present in OH. Gambling Problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER
Jan. 8: Browns vs. Steelers Rivalry Game
Any Ohio sports fan, especially in Cleveland, has a story about this rivalry. Both teams have struggled as of late, but there is no shortage of history between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers. There is a lot of youth and general momentum in both franchises now. Quarterback Deshaun Watson has had a difficult few outings to start his tenure with the Browns, but the game can be one to build upon for a full 2023 season.
The Browns are currently 2-point dogs (no pun intended). The game is expected to be a defensive battle with a total set at 40.5 and the potential for inclement January weather in Western Pennsylvania.
Jan. 20 & 21: Cavaliers Back-to-Back vs. Warriors & Bucks
The Cleveland Cavaliers are out to a great first half of the NBA season and are fourth in the Eastern Conference. The team has improved dramatically with the addition of Donovan Mitchell, who has teamed with Darius Garland to form an explosive backcourt. There was no shortage of defense a year ago, and the frontcourt combo of Jarrett Allen and exciting second-year pro Evan Mobley are locking down opposing offenses in the paint.
The Cavaliers will need all four of those players, and then some, when they welcome the last two NBA champions to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on consecutive nights. First, Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors come into town, followed by Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. Milwaukee is currently +340 to win the Eastern Conference, with Cleveland at +950. Those odds could change if the Cavs are able to make a statement against these two elite teams. With gambling legal, they’ll be prime spots for Ohio fans to get some action.
21+ and present in OH. Gambling Problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER
Throughout January: Ohio State Men’s Basketball in Big Ten
The Ohio State men are 1-0 in Big Ten play and are out to an 9-3 start. They aren’t currently in the AP Top 25, but are sitting just outside and garnering votes. Conference play is always fierce. Several Big Ten teams are bunched up with the Buckeyes in the rankings and all will be duking it out to secure NCAA Tournament berths. It will take a strong showing over the last two-thirds of the season for the Buckeyes to make it.
They returned experienced forwards Zed Key and Justice Sueing, who are looking to make it three years in a row they’ve headed to the “Big Dance.” Futures markets are starting to be released for outright conference winners, and Ohio State should be vying for the top position in a crowded field. That will make their odds a bit longer, but it will also make sure that every game they play in the Big Ten throughout January will be hard-fought and exciting to watch. They’ll certainly be a great sweat for new Ohio bettors.
21+ and present in OH. Gambling Problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER
Throughout January: Ohio State Women’s Basketball in Conference Play
The Ohio State women are leaving no doubt they are the favorites to win the Big Ten. They entered the conference season as a Top 5 team in the country and are certain to be favored in every game that they play. Bettors in Ohio will want to know how many points they need to lay to bet on the Buckeyes.
They start off January with games against the Minnesota Gophers and Illinois Fighting Illini as they try to get into a groove before taking on the Indiana Hoosiers, another Top 5 team, in their biggest Big Ten test. Given how the Buckeyes women have played so far, they should be favored. If they can win that one on the road, they could have a clear path to the Big Ten regular-season championship and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
21+ and present in OH. Gambling Problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER
Jan. 8: Blue Jackets host Alex Ovechkin and Capitals
It’s been a tough year for the Columbus Blue Jackets, with the team sitting last in the NHL Eastern Conference. One thing Ohio hockey fans can still look forward to is having the chance to see, and bet on, Alex Ovechkin’s trip to Columbus.
The Washington Capitals legend will be spending the rest of the season increasing his goal count past 800. Ovechkin surpassed that milestone and then overtook Gordie Howe as the No. 2 goal-scorer in NHL history, behind only Wayne Gretzky. It’s a fun time to watch Ovechkin play, and even if he pads his historic goal count at the expense of an Ohio team, his props or the Capitals moneyline are a great way to use a first-bet insurance promo. And nobody is stopping you from betting against the Blue Jackets, either.
Throughout January: Cincinnati’s Last Season in AAC Before Joining Big 12
The Cincinnati Bearcats have been in the American Athletic Conference since 2005. They’ve made 10 NCAA men’s basketball tournaments in that time and have produced several NBA players, including Lance Stephenson and Gary Clark.
The Bearcats will bid farewell to the conference they’ve called home to join the Big 12 next season. They’re performing well this season and have several exciting matchups in January that are primed for betting, including two against the Houston Cougars. The Bearcats will be looking to make their mark in their last AAC season and would be a great bet as underdogs against their conference foe.
21+ and present in OH. Gambling Problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER
Jan. 6 & 7: Ohio State Men’s Hockey vs. Michigan State
Ohio State and the Michigan State Spartans are neck and neck in the Big Ten hockey standings as both schools look to push toward the Frozen Four. College hockey betting markets can be some of the most profitable because of the lack of information on the sport. That’s the perfect opportunity for Ohio fans to use their in-state knowledge, understanding of the game, and new-user offers to make a strong +EV bet on this exciting Ohio State-Michigan State hockey series.
