With the NFL officially coming to an end last week after the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in Sunday night’s Super Bowl showdown, sports gamblers are undoubtedly searching for another sport to bet on. But it looks like those wishing to wager on sports in Ohio will have one fewer option than many other states.
According to a report from Robert Linnehan, a Regulatory Writer and Editor for XLMedia, the XFL will not be included in the Ohio sports betting catalog after a recent request has been denied.
Bad news for anyone in Ohio hoping to bet on the @XFL2023 season opener tomorrow.
A submitted request to add the XFL to the Ohio sports betting catalogue has been denied by the Ohio Casino Control Commission staff and Executive Director Matt Schuler after review.
— RLinnehanXL (@RLinnehanXl) February 17, 2023
“Bad news for anyone in Ohio hoping to bet on the @XFL2023 season opener tomorrow. A submitted request to add the XFL to the Ohio sports betting catalogue has been denied by the Ohio Casino Control Commission staff and Executive Director Matt Schuler after review,” RLinnehanXL said in a tweet.
It’s a pretty surprising move, given how much sports gambling has been promoted in Ohio since it was legalized last month, and the sports world had plenty to say about it on Twitter.
Catastrophic. Why? @GovMikeDeWine change it. Now. I demand it. https://t.co/DwyexKrpdj
— GoodBeast (@crouch___) February 17, 2023
— B.W. Carlin (@BaileyCarlin) February 17, 2023
What is there to review? It’s football. Let people have fun.
— Offseason Chopz (@Pchopz_) February 17, 2023
@benaxelrod you okay? https://t.co/rj4now9eS9
— TCB (@TenCentBeers) February 17, 2023
Wow…nice work as always Ohio https://t.co/BDnU2jNbE8
— Brian Marcu (@BrianMarcu) February 17, 2023
It’s not clear exactly why the XFL has been denied inclusion in the sports betting catalog and it’s also not clear if it will ever be added in the future.
In the meantime, sports gamblers will have to settle for betting on things like the NBA and the NHL.