The Ohio Casino Control Commission on Wednesday announced that it will open the month-long application window for potential sports betting licensees on June 15.
According to the timeline that the OCCC released, it will determine a “universal” go-live date, similar to how Tennessee and Arizona regulators launched operators. The timeline does not indicate how long it will take the OCCC to approve applications, but in other states, it’s taken between 60-90 days, depending on the process and availability of information.
Under Ohio’s new law, the OCCC must launch wagering by Jan. 1, 2023. Several deadlines on the commission’s timeline are linked to the universal start date. The commission will have to indicate what that date is in advance, allowing operators time to meet requirements for their house rules, problem and responsible gaming programs, and other aspects. The timeline shows that all equipment must be ready for verification 30 days ahead of the launch date.
The commission will accept applications in two batches. The June 15-July 15 window is for Type A, B, and C proprietors, first-designated mobile management service providers, management service providers, and suppliers. A second window for Type C sports gaming hosts and second-designated MMSPs will be open from July 15-Aug. 15.
The initial application windows, according to the OCCC, are for proprietors wishing to launch on the group go-live date. After those windows close, prospective proprietors can apply at any time and the OCCC will process applications as they come in.
Rules nearly done
The commission published draft applications Monday, and those are open for public comment until Friday. The applications will be available to operators on June 1. There will be 25 Type A licenses, which allow for retail and digital wagering at Ohio’s biggest venues, including sports arenas and casinos, with the application fee set at $150,000. Type B licenses, which allow for wagering at brick-and-mortar facilities only, will be capped at 40 and come with a $20,000 application fee.
Since starting the regulatory process at the start of the year, the OCCC has released five batches of proposed rules for public comment, and as of late April it had filed four of the five batches with the state’s Common Sense Initiative (CSI) Office.
The commission agreed on Wednesday to formally file “Batch 5” of proposed sports wagering rules with the CSI.
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