New Digital Sports Betting Product Industry

Grocery Chain Kroger Offers Customers New Digital Sports Betting Product

By Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer Updated: 21 February 2025

Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer

Amelia Walker is a Senior Content Writer at Betting.US. She has a law degree and deep knowledge of the gambling laws in the United States. Her mission is to keep players informed about responsible gambling, while her passion for sports helps her create useful guides. Amelia has over a decade of experience in betting, which has positioned her as a trusted voice among our readers.

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One of the nation’s largest grocery chains, Kroger, is expanding its foray into the gaming world with a new digital sports betting product. According to a report by the Cincinnati Business Courier, the Ohio-based retailer is now allowing customers to sign up with gaming operators through its supermarkets and gas stations to receive promotions and offers.

Introducing Kroger Play

Kroger is offering this new service through “Kroger Play.” Customers can access Kroger Play by scanning a QR code or logging into a designated website. This platform allows them to create accounts with mobile sportsbook ESPN BET, online casinos through PENN Entertainment, and Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) site OwnersBox.

Kroger’s Strategy: Enhanced Customer Engagement

While Kroger declined to comment on Kroger Play due to its recent launch, the company has indicated its interest in increasing customer engagement and developing new marketing strategies.

A Kroger spokesperson has said,

This new feature allows Kroger to join other retailers in Ohio that are already offering this service. Introducing these kiosks will offer customers a new, convenient way to engage with various sports and teams through sports wagering.

Building on Previous Gaming Ventures

This isn’t Kroger’s first venture into the gaming sector. The company received approval from the Ohio Lottery Commission to install 20 sports betting kiosks in Buckeye State stores last year, allowing customers to place wagers at locations in the Cincinnati and Dayton areas.

This move suggests a growing trend of retail gaming as companies seek innovative ways to engage with consumers. Other retailers, like 7-Eleven, have also partnered with online gaming platforms to offer lottery ticket purchases and other services.

Partnering with Industry Giants

Kroger has partnered with some of the biggest names in the gaming industry for this new digital venture. ESPN BET currently operates online sports betting in 19 states, including Ohio. PENN Entertainment offers iGaming in five of the seven legal jurisdictions. OwnersBox is legal in more than 30 states.

Ohio: A Key Market

It’s no coincidence that Kroger, headquartered in Cincinnati, is rolling out these gaming products in Ohio. The Buckeye State is a major sports betting market. Ohio bettors wagered nearly $9 billion on sports in 2024, with 14 online operators generating over $905 million in revenue.

The Future of Retail Gaming?

While kiosk betting accounts for a small fraction of the overall betting market, experts believe Kroger’s widespread presence and customer loyalty could significantly boost this type of wagering. Kroger’s move into digital sports betting signals a significant development between retail and gaming.

By leveraging its existing customer base and partnering with established gaming operators, Kroger is positioning itself to capitalize on the growing popularity of online sports betting and iGaming. Whether this strategy proves successful remains to be seen, but it’s clear that Kroger is betting big on the future of gaming.