Sports betting has generated millions of dollars in revenue, but the Ohio Lottery’s piece of the pie is so small that it’s been a losing proposition for both the Lottery and state coffers in what’s still a young industry.
That’s because the Lottery’s sports-betting kiosks found in bars, restaurants and grocery stores bring in only a sliver of the money wagered each month, far exceeded by both mobile-betting apps and casino-style sportsbooks that don’t come under the Lottery’s umbrella.
Since sports gambling became legal in Ohio on Jan. 1, the Lottery’s share of the kiosks’ revenue has not been enough to cover its costs.
