The Ohio Casino Control Commission agreed Wednesday to have its second batch of proposed sports gaming rules formally filed with the Common Sense Initiative (CSI) office.
The OCCC’s second batch, which were initially made available for public comment Jan. 14, deal with licensing for mobile and retail sportsbooks, general wagering provisions, and equipment. Three batches of proposed sports gaming rules remain to be filed with CSI.
Sports betting in Ohio became legalized when Gov. Mike DeWine signed HB 29 on Dec. 22. Placing bets on sports isn’t expected to commence until late this year, after all systems are in place across the state. The law states it must launch by Jan. 1, 2023.
The proposed sports betting rules have been doled out in batches for public comment based on subject matter. Stakeholders have had the opportunity to review and comment on proposed rules twice before the formal statutory process begins.
The latest motion with the CSI office occurred only days after the OCCC welcomed a second round of comments from stakeholders on Batch 4 of proposed sports betting rules, which concern sports gaming supplier and employee licensing, house rules, and Type-A, Type-B, and Type-C proprietor specific duties.
Ohio Casino Control Commission Sets Sports Betting Application Fees https://t.co/VMnt1A8xrP
— Sue Schneider (@SuziQSchneider) February 4, 2022
Commission meeting livestreamed
The OCCC monthly meeting held Wednesday in Columbus was the first to be livestreamed. OCCC Executive Director Matt Schuler said the agency heard from stakeholders all across the country that would like to see the meetings available online.
“There’s been great demand for this,” Schuler said.
Also, beginning in April, the OCCC plans to hold meetings twice a month. Jessica Franks, OCCC director of communications, said meetings will be held on the first and third Wednesday each month. The schedule is being adopted to help stay on pace to have sports betting available by the end of the year.
In other news, there was brief discussion of the type of bets that should be allowed at sportsbooks in Ohio. While some states allow betting on non-athletic events such as the Oscars, Schuler recommended prohibiting such wagers.
“Any outcome already known should never be a wager,” Schuler said.
