BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — Bowling Green State University has become the first university in the United States to accept mobile driver’s licenses for age verification at its athletic events.
The university announced Thursday that BGSU concessions during athletic events can now securely and privately accept mobile IDs, including those in Apple Wallet. The move is a first for U.S. universities, according to Thursday's announcement.
Ohioans can add their driver's licenses and state-issued IDs to Apple Wallet, a feature adopted by Ohio earlier this year. The mobile option does not replace a physical card but instead offers another means of presenting identification for use at various locations, which now includes BGSU's athletic venues.
BGSU said that accepting mobile IDs will expedite service at concessions, reducing wait times.
“It’s great to see Bowling Green State University become a nationwide trailblazer for adopting the Ohio Mobile ID, providing convenience to spectators and Falcon fans attending BGSU athletic events," Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said in the press release.
When presented at a Tap2iD reader, mobile IDs will only share the necessary information for age verification, such as age and ID photo.
To use an ID in an Apple Wallet, residents can hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near the reader and authorize the release of their information with Face ID or Touch ID.
Students and visitors from other states that have adopted mobile driver’s licenses, including Arizona, Maryland, Georgia, Colorado, Hawaii, California, Iowa, New York and Utah, will also be able to use their mobile ID at BGSU events.
This initiative is part of BGSU's broader efforts to incorporate advanced technology on campus, according to the university.
BGSU was the first in Ohio to implement Starship Technology for food delivery using 100% electric robots. In 2023, the university added an autonomous floor-scrubbing robot. This year, BGSU was one of the first to introduce Amazon Just Walk Out technology at campus markets, the university said.
BGSU Athletics already uses mobile wallet technology through an All-In-1 Pass for ticket management at sporting events, allowing attendees to add season or student tickets to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet and eliminate the need to download new tickets each week.
“Throughout the past two years, we have been directly engaging with our fans through consumer surveys to focus our efforts on elevating the game day experience," BGSU Director of Athletics Derek van der Merwe said in the press release. "We are excited to introduce this cutting-edge technology, which aligns with the feedback we have received in finding new ways to reduce wait times and get our fans back to the game."
Ohio driver's licenses and state IDs in Apple Wallet can also be used in-person at select airport TSA check lanes, at businesses with compliant mobile ID readers and in select apps that require identity or age verification.
To add an Ohio driver's license or state ID to Apple Wallet, tap the "+" button at the top of the screen in the Apple Wallet app on iPhone, select "driver's license or state ID," and follow the on-screen instructions for set-up and verification.
For more information on Ohio Mobile ID including frequently asked questions and demonstration videos, visit the OhioBMV website at this link.