Giant Eagle Latest Grocery Chain to Apply for Ohio Sports Betting Kiosks

Posted on: August 12, 2022, 09:30h. 

Last updated on: August 14, 2022, 09:43h.

Steve Bittenbender Read More

Expertise: Legislation, Sports Betting, Horse Racing.

More Ohio supermarkets are showing an interest in offering sports betting.

The Ohio Lottery Commission (OLC) updated its list of prequalified retailers on Friday afternoon.  Among the new entries were 62 stores operated by Giant Eagle. The Pennsylvania-based grocer’s stores join 42 Kroger and nine Acme Fresh Markets that had previously received the OLC’s recommendation.

A spokesperson for Giant Eagle told Casino.org Friday evening that the company would not comment at this time.

Giant Eagle’s entry comes after Ohio Grocers Association President and CEO Kristin Mullins told Casino.org that she expects more supermarket chains to get involved as the rules for kiosks became clearer.

If I was ‘a betting person’ I would say that’s probably what they’re waiting on,” Mullins said Tuesday. “The devil’s always in the details.”

Through Friday, lottery officials have prequalified 1,254 retailers across the state that are interested in hosting sports betting kiosks. To qualify, businesses must be for-profit, in good standing as a lottery retailer, and hold one of three by-the-drink liquor licenses. Most of those are bars and restaurants, although a few bowling alleys and golf courses have also applied.

Prequalified retailers still need to apply with the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) for a Type C host license. According to the state’s eLicense portal, 538 retail locations have submitted their applications to the OCCC. That includes all of Kroger’s prequalified sites.

Monday is the submission deadline for entities that want to be able to host kiosks starting on Jan. 1, the universal launch date in Ohio. Applications will still be taken after Monday. But those retailers may not get approved in time to start on New Year’s Day.

Betr Gets 10-Year Deal

Kiosks are just one way sports betting will be offered in Ohio. The law passed late last year also allows for up to 25 online sports betting operators statewide and 40 retail sportsbooks in the state’s most populous counties.

The deadline was July 15 to file for an online or retail license and be eligible to launch on Jan. 1. But this past week, we learned a little more about one aspiring online applicant.

Startup Betr announced its plans to disrupt the US sports betting market by focusing its product on micro-betting, which is wagering on plays or possessions within a sporting event.

Records from the eLicense portal and Florida Funders, one of the venture firms involved in the Series A funding for the $50 million enterprise, showed that Betr initially started as Instabet. Under Instabet, the company founded by Joey Levy and Jake Paul filed for an Ohio license last month with the Hall of Fame Village in Canton as its partner.

On Thursday, Betr announced it secured a 10-year deal with the Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, which operates the sports and entertainment development district. As part of the deal, the Hall of Fame company receives an undisclosed limited equity stake in the new company.

About Ohio Sports Betting

Once the calendar flips to 2023, Ohio will become the fourth-largest US state by population to offer sports betting, and many expect the state to be one of the most competitive markets in the country.

Ohio will tax operators at 10% on net revenue.