'Plenty of ways to bet at Hard Rock Cincinnati.' New downtown sportsbook to open Jan. 1 - News Article Locations on Waymarking.com

News article text:
Following a lopsided loss to the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football, the Cincinnati Bengals are 7.5-point favorites for Sunday's non-conference clash with the Carolina Panthers at Paycor Stadium, according to Tipico Sportsbook.

However, Ohio bettors wishing to bet on the game would have to drive to a state that offers sports betting for online and retail options.

That's about to change.

In exactly two months on Jan. 1, 2023, sports betting will officially launch in Ohio and patrons will have plenty of options as to where they'll bet.

In Cincinnati, Hard Rock Casino gave a tour of its upcoming Hard Rock Sportsbook to media members Tuesday morning. Located adjacent to Hard Rock Cafe on the western entrance to the casino, the new sportsbook is set to open just one minute after the calendar flips to 2023.

"We are so thrilled and delighted that in the next 60 days we will have a live sportsbook, of course, pending licenses," Hard Rock Cincinnati President George Goldhoff told the media Tuesday while speaking with former Cincinnati Reds and Hall-of-Fame broadcaster Marty Brennaman.

On Oct. 5, the Ohio Casino Control Commission reported that it must receive final, Commission-approved versions of responsible gaming plans, house rules, facility plans, required procedures, geolocation procedures and equipment test reports by Nov. 2 for businesses hoping to go live Jan. 1, 2023. All expectations have the Hard Rock Sportsbook on a long list of retail establishments ready to open its doors New Year's Day.

"When I think of the trips, I’ve made out west and was introduced, for the first time, to a sportsbook, which I didn’t know existed, being a sports fan and seeing all the televisions with all of the different sporting events, it kind of blew you away," Brennaman said. "Now it’s become rather matter of fact, but not to this city, but I think that’s the key to this whole gathering here today, because it’s gonna happen right here.”

While it looked bare on Tuesday, the Hard Rock Casino team is making several upgrades over the next two months. Goldhoff explained that the new sportsbook will have an additional 137 televisions, seven live-betting windows for walk-up customers and 33 sports-betting kiosks scattered across the casino floor. Sports bettors will also be able to use the Hard Rock Sportsbook mobile app to place wagers.

"We're preparing the facility," Goldhoff explained. "There's gonna be plenty of ways to place a bet here."

On the mezzanine level of the Hard Rock Cafe, a lengthy stretch of televisions has already been added and individual, residential seating is next for that area, according to Goldhoff.

"I like to call it the 'man cave in the sky,'" he said. "You can go up there with your friends, have some chicken wings, a burger and some pints and enjoy yourself up there."

Opening night of Cincinnati Hard Rock Sportsbook features Reds and Bengals legends and an Olympian

According to a press release from the casino, opening night will be a who's-who of Cincinnati sports legends. That list includes Brennaman, former Cincinnati Reds players Tom Browning and Bronson Arroyo, former Cincinnati Bengals players David Fulcher, Jim Breech, Ickey Woods and Anthony Munoz, along with Olympic Gold Medalist Mary Wineberg.

Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon will also be hosting a New Year's Eve Party in the Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati Event Center. You can purchase tickets here.

"This is probably the largest selection of Cincinnati sports royalty Cincinnati has ever seen," Goldhoff said.

Pete Rose will place first bet at Cincinnati Hard Rock Sportsbook

At 12:01 a.m., Pete Rose will place the first-ever wager at Hard Rock Sportsbook.

"Rather fitting, to be exact," Brennaman laughed.

Type of publication: Newspaper When was the article reported?: 11/01/2022 Publication: Cincinnati Enquirer Article Url: [Web Link] Is Registration Required?: no How widespread was the article reported?: local News Category: Entertainment

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