In what seems like a bad joke, baseball legend Pete Rose will soon be betting on sports once again. This time as part of the grand opening of the sportsbook at the Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati. The casino plans to open the sportsbook on January 1st, and Mr. Rose will place the first bet. And no… this is not a joke.

The Ohio Casino Control Commission has approved FanDuel, Barstool Sports, and others so that state residents can start betting on sports next year. And when Hard Rock Cincinnati opens their sports betting doors Mr. Rose will be one of several Ohio celebrities on hand for the party. Many other Cincinnati Reds and Cincinnati Bengals players will also attend.

In 1989, Mr. Rose was questioned by the Commissioner of Baseball about reports that he had placed bets on on baseball games and later accepted a permanent ban for the activity. However, while he admitted to betting on football, basketball and horse racing, he denied that he ever placed wagers on baseball games.

Now, 25 years later, betting on sports is now legal in nearly 40 states throughout America. His appearance at the Hard Rock Cincinnati will ironically kick off legal, regulated sports gambling in the state. Online sportsbooks will also be permitted to open at that time.