Prior to the Jan. 1, 12:01 a.m. Ohio sports betting launch, the casino control commission is giving all stakeholders a warning to adhere to its marketing and advertising restrictions to not target individual under the age of 21.

The Ohio Casino Control Commission has already seen consistent violations from stakeholders that allegedly targeted underage gamblers and have levied administrative action

Ohio Sports Betting Advertising Regulations Set

On Friday, Dec. 23, the Ohio Casino Control Commission sent out a notice to all gaming stakeholders that it is “disappointed to be seeing apparent consistent violations” of three core tenants of its sports betting regulations. The violated tenants are:

  • All advertisements must have a responsible gaming message
  • All responsible gaming messages must be conspicuous
  • Advertisements must not target individuals under the age of 21

According to the message sent to stakeholders, the industry “does not want to have people participating in gaming if they are underage or have a gambling problem” and failure to meet the advertising standards “will result in administrative action.”

The Casino Control Commission has already levied a hefty potential fine on PENN Entertainment for one of its college football shows that took place on a Tulsa Campus.

Penn Entertainment, the parent company of Penn Sports Interactive and Barstool Sports, is facing a $250,000 fine after an alleged violation of Ohio sports betting regulations against advertising on or targeting a college campus and/or individuals under the age of 21.

The violation, sent to Penn Sports Interactive as part of its Barstool Sportsbook brand, stems from a Nov. 15, 2022, Barstool College Football show which took place “on, or targeting the area of, the University of Toledo’s Campus.” During the show, the violation notice alleges that Barstool advertised the Barstool Sportsbook by promoting pre-registration for the sportsbook, including bonus cash and “mycash” rewards for PENN Entertainment casinos. It also said Barstool targeted individuals under the age of 21 in the same way during the show.

“We ask that all operators look at the platforms and areas they are advertising and ensure they are not targeted at individuals under 21. We understand mistakes happen, but it is not a mistake when it appears to be this consistent,” the commission warned in its notice to stakeholders.

Ohio sports betting to launch Jan. 1

Sports betting will launch in the Buckeye State at 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2023.

The Ohio Casino Control Commission has conditionally approved 22 Type A (online sports betting license) applicants to offer sports betting in the state. Stark Enterprises, a high-end real estate development company, is the only applicant waiting for a ruling on its online sports betting application. The company submitted its application on Oct. 19.

Here are the conditionally approved online sports betting license holders. All online sports betting operator partners are also included in parenthesis:

  • JACK Cleveland Casino (PlayUp Interactive – awaiting approval)
  • JACK Thistledown Racino (WynnBET – awaiting approval)
  • Pro Football Hall of Fame Village (Betr)
  • Cincinnati Bengals (Betfred)
  • MGM Northfield Park (BetMGM)
  • Scioto Downs (Caesars Sportsbook)
  • Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati (Hard Rock Digital)
  • Cleveland Browns (Bally Bet – awaiting approval)
  • Columbus Blue Jackets (BetFanatics)
  • Crew SC Stadium Company (Tipico)
  • Muirfield Village Golf Club (Parx Interactive)
  • Cincinnati Reds (Underdog Sports Wagering – awaiting approval)
  • Cleveland Cavaliers (Fubo Gaming – ceased operations)
  • Hollywood Casino Columbus (Barstool Sportsbook)
  • Cleveland Guardians (bet365)
  • Hollywood Gaming Dayton Raceway (BetRivers)
  • Belterra Park (FanDuel)
  • Hollywood Casino Toledo (DraftKings)
  • Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley (PointsBet Ohio)
  • FC Cincinnati Holdings (SuperBook)
  • SPIRE Institute (Out the Gate – awaiting approval)
  • Miami Valley Gaming and Racing (MVGBet)

Several online sports betting license holders are still awaiting on approval for their online sports betting providers, which you can see above. The Cleveland Cavaliers have yet to name a replacement for their online sports betting provider Fubo Gaming, which recently ceased operations.

Here are the conditionally approved online sports betting service providers eligible to launch in 2023:

  • BetMGM
  • PointsBet
  • DraftKings
  • Barstool Sportsbook
  • FanDuel
  • BetFanatics
  • Caesars Sportsbook
  • Betfred Sports
  • bet365
  • SuperBook
  • Tipico Ohio
  • Betr
  • Parx Interactive
  • Underdog Sports Wagering
  • Out the Gate
  • MVGBet
  • BallyBet
  • BetRivers
  • Digital Gaming Corporations