Cleveland only has a population of around 400,000, but the residents of Cleveland are die hard sports fans. This shows in their ability to support professional teams in three of the major United States sports leagues. The Cleveland Cavaliers won the NBA Title back in 2016, which put an end to a massive championship drought in the city, which dated back to when the Cleveland Browns won the NFL Championship in 1964 (before the Super Bowl).
Cleveland is a blue-collar sports town, so it should be no surprise that sports betting is very popular among its residents.
On this page I will outline the legalities of betting on sports in Cleveland, recommend a couple of popular betting sites among Ohio residents, and also look at the local horse racing track in the city.
Is Sports Betting Legal In Cleveland?
Yes, sports betting is now legal in Ohio. HB 29, the Ohio sports betting law, was signed into law in December of 2021 and the regulated sports betting market launched in Ohio in January of 2023.
There are now several retail sportsbooks live in Cleveland, and there are 25 slots available for online sports betting apps to operate in the state.
Cleveland residents also have the option to place wagers through offshore betting sites, such as the two I’ve recommended below. These betting sites are licensed, regulated, and located outside of the United States, while accepting American residents.
BetOnline.ag, our top rated sportsbook, accepts players from everywhere in the United States with no restrictions, including Ohio.
Best Betting Sites for Cleveland Residents
| Sportsbook | Bonus | Visit |
|---|---|---|
 |
100% up to $250 | Visit |
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50% up to $250 in Free Bets | Visit |
BetOnline and Bovada are our two top rated betting sites for Cleveland residents. Both sites are very popular among United States residents, with both offering a safe and secure betting platform built for American bettors.
Offline Sports Betting in Cleveland
The regulated sports betting market launched in Ohio in January of 2023, and with it many retail sportsbooks were opened in the Cleveland area.
Jack Cleveland Casino
Jack Cleveland Casino, located in downtown Cleveland, opened the betJack Sportsbook in January of 2023. The 6,000 square foot sportsbook features five retail betting windows, 20 betting kiosks, and a 500 square foot video wall to watch the games. The sportsbook is open until 1am daily.
Caesars Sportsbook at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
The Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, home to the Cleveland Cavaliers, opened a 10,000 square foot Caesars retail sportsbook in their glass atrium section on January 1st, 2023. The Vegas-style sportsbook has five retail betting windows, 15 betting kiosks, and wall-to-wall flat screen televisions, making it a great spot to watch and bet on sports in Cleveland. The sportsbook is open until midnight Sunday to Friday, and 1am on Saturday’s.
JACK Thistledown Racino
Horse race betting is also allowed in the State, with Ohio having a variety of tracks where you can bet on live races from across the USA. Jack Thistledown Racino is a popular horse racing track located in Cleveland with live racing taking place for half the year and simulcast betting available year round.
Jack Thistledown Racino is located in North Randall village on the outskirts of Cleveland. The track has live racing from April to October every year. You can see the live racing schedule on the tracks website. Simulcast betting is available at the Racino daily throughout the year with betting available on tracks from across the United States.
Thistledown also has a huge selection of video lottery terminals, as well as a variety of quality restaurants and various entertainment events throughout the year.
Major Sports Teams in Cleveland
- Cleveland Browns (NFL – Football)
- Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA – Basketball)
- Cleveland Indians (MLB – Baseball)