The Ohio Casino Control Commission met this week and assured state residents that its Ohio sports betting licensing procedure will not be of the “rubber stamp” variety.

Now that the initial license application window is closed, Matt Schuler, executive director of the Ohio Casino Control Commission, explained to commission members and observers of the latest regulatory meeting that each applicant’s submission would be thoroughly reviewed before a sports betting license decision is made.

In total, the casino control commission received 22 Type A license applications, 25 Type B license applications, and seven Type C license applications before the initial application window closed on July 15. Additionally, 20 online sports betting operators applied for “mobile management service provider” licenses.

A complete list of Ohio sports betting license applications and potential online sports betting partners can be found here.

No “rubber stamp” for Ohio sports betting

The commission, Schuler said, will not simply wield a “rubber stamp” for sports betting license applicants. The regulatory body members will carefully consider each entity’s current financial standing, sports betting experience, reputation, and potential economic impact on the state before deciding if a sports betting license is warranted, he said.

As the first wave of applications are being considered, the Ohio Casino Control Commission is also accepting Type C sports gaming host license and secondary “mobile management service provider” license applications until Aug. 15.

Approved applications will likely be be announced at future Ohio Casino Control Commission meetings.

Additional licenses come in before July 15 deadline

Schuler also explained that several license applications came in after Friday, July 15, but were postmarked by the deadline date. These applications will be considered as being on time and will be eligible for the universal Jan. 1, 2023 start date if they are awarded a license.

No additional Type A license applications were listed on the Ohio Casino Control Commission website. The commission did receive one additional Type B retail sportsbook license application from Lori’s Roadhouse in West Chester Township. The live music and bar establishment in Butler County did not list a management service provider to run its sportsbook if it receives a Type B license.

Several additional Type C license applications were received. Iron Gate Gaming, J&J Ventures Gaming of Ohio, and Gold Rush Amusements submitted applications, according to the commission.

Additional license applications will be accepted, but operators will not be guaranteed a launch on the universal start date.