What Is The Gamewise Sports Betting App Bringing to Ohio?

Ohio sports fans are counting down the days until legalized sports betting in Ohio is made available on Jan. 1, 2023. HB 29, the state’s sports betting law, allows for a total of 25 mobile apps at full maturity. One of those Ohio sports betting online options will be the Gamewise sports betting app, which will operate under the name Betly.

What can bettors of the Buckeye State expect from Gamewise and Betly? Let’s take a look at one of the lesser-known sports betting brands.

US and International Connections

The Betly sports betting app is currently available in three smaller markets in the US, providing its platform to Arkansas, West Virginia, and Tennessee. As with Ohio, all three states have review and approval processes before allowing apps to launch, as well as continued oversight after launch.

Gamewise is a result of a partnership between Delaware North and Gaming1, both of which have international gaming ties. Delaware North has gaming venues and casinos in Australia, while Gaming1 is a sports betting and gaming company based in Belgium.

In addition to the Betly sports betting app, Gaming1’s holding company, International Game Technology, runs more than 600 sports betting kiosks in retail sportsbooks across the US.

All of this means you will be able to trust Betly when and if it launches in Ohio. You can rest assured that your personal information will be kept secure and no shady dealings will be happening behind closed doors.

Gamewise’s Ohio Partner

Part of Ohio’s sports betting law requires mobile operators to partner with an Ohio-based business. In the case of Gamewise, the company has partnered with Miami Valley Gaming in Lebanon.

MVG is a harness racing track and casino in Warren County and has split ownership with Churchill Downs Inc. and Delaware North. The space features gaming machines, live racing, as well as multiple restaurant and bar options.

Miami Valley Gaming has also applied for a retail sportsbook license, but there is no management services provider given on the Ohio Casino Control Commission’s list of proprietors, services providers, and supplier applicants. Churchill Downs Inc. owns and operates TwinSpires Sportsbook which has retail locations in several states. TwinSpires also has a mobile horse racing betting app.

What to Expect from Gamewise and Betly

I downloaded the Betly Tennessee iOS app to get a feel for the platform. Here’s what I found.

1. Clean look – The app’s home screen features a simple and clean interface, making it easy to read each event and its odds.
2. Easy navigation – If the wager you’re looking for isn’t on the home screen of the app, you’ll have no problem finding it. There are logos for different sports at the top of the home screen or you can click on the “Sports” icon at the bottom to find a full list of all the sports Betly offers. Even for bets beyond spreads, moneyline, and totals, Betly makes it easy to find whatever betting market you want. If you go to the NFL, for example, you’ll find a “calendar” tab for upcoming games as well as a “futures” tab for markets like division and conference winners.
3. Bonuses and promotions – Betly doesn’t display a specific tab like most sportsbooks, but the promos were displayed in a carousel on the home screen and easily found under the “menu” tab. Betly will be sure to offer a new user bonus if it launches in Ohio. For a lesser-known sportsbook app, Betly could potentially come out with a very strong welcome offer if they want to garner attention in a loaded Ohio market.