The Cincinnati Business Courier reports that the Cincinnati-based supermarket chain has installed sports betting kiosks in 20 locations in the Greater Cincinnati and Dayton areas. The self-service sports betting machines are operated by UBet Ohio, a business-to-business sportsbook company that was founded after Ohio lawmakers passed legislation in 2021 authorizing retail and online sports gambling.
This new feature allows Kroger to join other retailers in Ohio already offering this service. The introduction of these kiosks will offer customers a new, convenient way to engage with a variety of sports and teams through sports wagering,” a statement from the grocery retailer read.
The Kroger sportsbook kiosks allow anyone aged 21 and older to insert cash and place a bet. Winning tickets are cashed by Kroger staff similar to redeeming a lottery ticket.
Lottery Sports Betting
Ohio’s sports betting law allows the state’s casinos to offer on-site and online sports betting. The statute additionally permits lottery retailers to pursue sports betting privileges.
Over 900 businesses in the Buckeye State offer retail sports betting kiosks governed by the Ohio Lottery. The wagering terminals can be found in restaurants and bars, grocery stores, gas stations, bowling alleys, and fraternal clubs.
There is a $700 per person weekly wagering limit on the kiosks. Patrons must show a valid form of identification for age verification before betting. The ID component allows the Ohio Lottery Commission to ensure a person isn’t exceeding the $700 per week betting cap.
Though there were 843 host locations with sportsbook kiosks at the end of December, most bettors in Ohio — as is the case across the country in states where sports gambling is allowed both online and in person — facilitate their bets over the internet.
In December, for instance, retail sports betting kiosks took about $1.21 million in bets. The machines kept $127,417 of the handle.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) hasn’t yet unveiled December sports betting data for the casinos and online books but in November, online sportsbooks took more than $621.3 million in bets and kept more than $80.1 million of the action.
In-person betting at the state’s 14 brick-and-mortar sportsbooks totaled $17.7 million. Oddsmakers kept less than $900K.
Kroger Foothold
Kroger is the largest grocery chain in Ohio, with about 200 locations in over 100 cities. The food retailer is the go-to store for weekly shopping for many Ohioans, which could result in Kroger establishing itself as a big player in the lottery sports betting market.
Kroger has favorable brand recognition and trust, which could provide bettors a better sense of security in placing a sports bet on a kiosk than they might have at a bar or gas station.
Kroger was founded in 1883 in Cincinnati by Bernard Kroger. Considered a pioneer in the grocery industry for introducing self-service shopping instead of delivery, Kroger later became known for his philanthropy through his many donations to hospitals, medical research, and public parks.
https://www.casino.org/news/kroger-sports-betting-kiosks-installed-20-locations-ohio/