Ohio Sports Betting Gets World Cup Boost in July 2026

Jonathan Rodriguez

Written by: Jonathan Rodriguez

Published: Fri Sep 04, 2026, 7:00 am ET

Read Time: 4 minutes

Ohio Sports Betting Gets World Cup Boost in July 2026

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Ohio sports betting received a boost from the 2026 FIFA World Cup during July. The state's sportsbooks generated $624.6 million in wagers.

The July handle increased 17.3% from the $532.3 million recorded during July 2025. Meanwhile, operators generated $67.3 million in gross sports gaming revenue.

The results show continued strength across Ohio gambling as the state moves toward the busy fall sports calendar. The World Cup helped drive July activity, while NCAAF and NFL betting could provide another lift.

Ohio Sports Betting Handle Tops $600 Million

The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) reported $624.6 million in July sports betting wagers. That figure extended the state's streak of monthly handles above $600 million to 12 months.

The July total also included $617.1 million from online sports betting. Retail sportsbooks accounted for the remaining portion, generating roughly $7.5 million in wagers.

As a result, online betting represented nearly 99% of Ohio's total sports betting handle. The figures demonstrate the importance of digital platforms within the state's regulated market.

This trend also highlights the role of US online sportsbooks in Ohio's sports betting ecosystem. Mobile wagering continues to attract the overwhelming majority of betting activity.

World Cup Drives Summer Betting Activity

The 2026 FIFA World Cup played an important role in Ohio's July performance. The tournament provided bettors with a major international event during an otherwise quieter sports period.

Ohio sportsbooks handled more than $1.28 billion across June and July. That figure surpassed the $1.18 billion generated during the same two months in 2025.

The World Cup also contributed to a strong operator hold in July. Sportsbooks kept 10.8% of the money wagered during the month.

The OCCC's July 2026 revenue report supports the strong performance. The report records $67.28 million in total gross sports gaming revenue for July.

Sportsbooks also benefited from several World Cup results. The United States exited during the round of 16, while Spain defeated Argentina in the final.

Online Operators Generate Most Revenue

The gap between online and retail betting becomes even clearer when examining revenue.

According to the OCCC report, online operators generated $66.53 million in July revenue. Retail operators generated only $755,722.

Therefore, online sportsbooks accounted for almost all of Ohio's $67.28 million in total sports gaming revenue. The digital market generated more than 88 times the revenue produced through retail betting.

DraftKings led the online market by handle with $202.4 million, according to July figures reported by Covers. FanDuel followed with $189.4 million in wagers.

FanDuel nevertheless generated more revenue than DraftKings. Its $23.3 million haul reflected a 12.3% hold.

DraftKings recorded $22.8 million in revenue from its $202.4 million handle. Meanwhile, bet365 ranked third with $74.9 million in wagers and $6.1 million in revenue.

Ohio Collects $13.5 Million in Taxes

Strong betting activity also benefited the state government. Ohio collected approximately $13.5 million in sports betting taxes during July.

That pushed the state's 2026 year-to-date sports betting tax total above $114 million. The growing tax contribution adds another important dimension to Ohio's expanding regulated market.

July did not produce the state's highest monthly revenue of 2026. January remained ahead after generating nearly $99.6 million.

Still, July delivered meaningful year-over-year growth. Gross revenue increased 11.8% compared with July 2025.

NCAAF and NFL Betting Could Provide Another Boost

Ohio sportsbooks now enter an important period as the NCAAF and NFL seasons get underway.

College football should provide a strong source of wagering activity across the state. Ohio has several prominent college programs that can attract significant local betting interest.

The NFL season could provide an even larger opportunity for sportsbooks. NFL betting typically generates substantial activity across moneylines, spreads, totals, and player props.

Consequently, Ohio sportsbooks could maintain elevated betting volumes after the World Cup effect fades. The transition from international soccer to football gives operators another strong sports calendar.

Ohio Sports Betting Enters Fall From a Strong Position

July's results demonstrate how major sporting events can influence Ohio's regulated betting market. The World Cup helped sportsbooks generate $624.6 million in wagers and maintain a double-digit hold.

The Ohio Casino Control Commission's July 2026 report also highlights the market's heavy reliance on online betting. Digital operators generated $66.53 million of the state's $67.28 million in gross revenue.

Now, the NCAAF and NFL seasons are ready to take center stage. Those competitions could help Ohio sports betting maintain its strong momentum through the remainder of 2026.

Jonathan Rodriguez
Jonathan Rodriguez

Jonathan is an avid basketball fan, and is often looking forward to the next upcoming NBA season when not checking players' stats during games. He also likes to keep his ears on the ground for the latest rumblings in the online casino industry.

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