Business owners report mixed success for sports betting

It’s been about one month since sports betting was legalized in Ohio. Local bars and restaurants approved to accept bets were expecting a business boost. Some owners and managers say it hasn’t materialized exactly as they imagined. “It hasn't done as well as I thought it might, overall,” said Billy Watson, who owns Kitty’s Sports Grill in Downtown Cincinnati. Watson said he thinks many bettors are instead turning to mobile apps where they can place bets on their phone. “I'm sure you've seen the ads on social media, on television, on the radio,” he said. “You know, ‘Sign up with us and get a free $200 bet. Sign up with us and you get free, you know, four $25 bets.’ They all are giving away something.”