As part of the celebration of the new partnership, Cleveland Browns Quarterback Bernie Kosar will place the first legal bet on Tipico’s platform at midnight on 1 January – when sports betting officially becomes legal in Ohio – wagering $19,000 on the Cleveland Browns to win their NFL match against Pittsburgh.

The sum of $19,00 comes from the jersey number Kosar wore during his time playing for the Browns.

The deal will also see Tipico sponsor BigPlay’s VIP Player Lounge and Studio at Burke Lakefront Airport in Cleveland.

David Paschkes, Chief Commercial Officier of Tipico North America, said: “Partnering with one of the fastest growing live sports content networks on the internet is a natural extension of our goal to captivate the diehard, impassioned fan bases across the Buckeye State.

“We are thrilled to have the first Tipico bet in Ohio placed by Cleveland football legend and BigPlay host Bernie Kosar to commence a successful and long-lasting presence in the state of Ohio.”

Dave McAllester, Founder of BigPlay, added: “We couldn’t think of a better match than Tipico to be our exclusive partner. As we focus on elevating sports media across Ohio, Tipico is working to create the ultimate sports betting experience.

“We are proud to have our talent engage with a sportsbook that is truly dedicated to our fans and listeners, and together we will provide the great state of Ohio with unparalleled action in 2023 and beyond.”

Other sportsbooks have announced day-one launches in Ohio in recent days, with like likes of DraftKings and BetRivers both confirming plans to do so.