Chapter 3772 | Casino Gaming

Section 3772.01 | Definitions.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

As used in this chapter:

(A) "Applicant" means any person who applies to the commission for a license under this chapter.

(B) "Casino control commission fund" means the casino control commission fund described in Section 6(C)(3)(d) of Article XV, Ohio Constitution, the money in which shall be used to fund the commission and its related affairs.

(C) "Casino facility" means a casino facility as defined in Section 6(C)(9) of Article XV, Ohio Constitution.

(D) "Casino game" means any slot machine or table game as defined in this chapter.

(E) "Casino gaming" means any type of slot machine or table game wagering, using money, casino credit, or any representative of value, authorized in any of the states of Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia as of January 1, 2009, and includes slot machine and table game wagering subsequently authorized by, but shall not be limited by, subsequent restrictions placed on such wagering in such states. "Casino gaming" does not include bingo, as authorized in Section 6 of Article XV, Ohio Constitution and conducted as of January 1, 2009; horse racing where the pari-mutuel system of wagering is conducted, as authorized under the laws of this state as of January 1, 2009; or sports gaming.

(F) "Casino gaming employee" means any employee of a casino operator or management company, but not a key employee, and as further defined in section 3772.131 of the Revised Code.

(G) "Casino operator" means any person, trust, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, association, limited liability company, or other business enterprise that directly or indirectly holds an ownership or leasehold interest in a casino facility. "Casino operator" does not include an agency of the state, any political subdivision of the state, any person, trust, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, association, limited liability company, or other business enterprise that may have an interest in a casino facility, but who is legally or contractually restricted from conducting casino gaming.

(H) "Central system" means a computer system that provides the following functions related to casino gaming equipment used in connection with casino gaming authorized under this chapter: security, auditing, data and information retrieval, and other purposes deemed necessary and authorized by the commission.

(I) "Cheat" means to alter the result of a casino game, the element of chance, the operation of a machine used in a casino game, or the method of selection of criteria that determines (a) the result of the casino game, (b) the amount or frequency of payment in a casino game, (c) the value of a wagering instrument, or (d) the value of a wagering credit. "Cheat" does not include an individual who, without the assistance of another individual or without the use of a physical aid or device of any kind, uses the individual's own ability to keep track of the value of cards played and uses predictions formed as a result of the tracking information in the individual's playing and betting strategy.

(J) "Commission" means the Ohio casino control commission.

(K) "Gaming agent" means a peace officer employed by the commission that is vested with duties to enforce this chapter and conduct other investigations into the conduct of the casino gaming and the maintenance of the equipment that the commission considers necessary and proper and is in compliance with section 109.77 of the Revised Code.

(L) "Gaming-related vendor" means any individual, partnership, corporation, association, trust, or any other group of individuals, however organized, who supplies gaming-related equipment, goods, or services to a casino operator or management company, that are directly related to or affect casino gaming authorized under this chapter, including, but not limited to, the manufacture, sale, distribution, or repair of slot machines and table game equipment.

(M) "Holding company" means any corporation, firm, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, trust, or other form of business organization not a natural person which directly or indirectly does any of the following:

(1) Has the power or right to control a casino operator, management company, or gaming-related vendor license applicant or licensee;

(2) Holds an ownership interest of five per cent or more, as determined by the commission, in a casino operator, management company, or gaming-related vendor license applicant or licensee;

(3) Holds voting rights with the power to vote five per cent or more of the outstanding voting rights of a casino operator, management company, or gaming-related vendor applicant or licensee.

(N) "Initial investment" includes costs related to demolition, engineering, architecture, design, site preparation, construction, infrastructure improvements, land acquisition, fixtures and equipment, insurance related to construction, and leasehold improvements.

(O) "Institutional investor" means any of the following entities owning five per cent or more, but less than twenty-five per cent, of an ownership interest in a casino facility, casino operator, management company, or holding company: a corporation, bank, insurance company, pension fund or pension fund trust, retirement fund, including funds administered by a public agency, employees' profit-sharing fund or employees' profit-sharing trust, any association engaged, as a substantial part of its business or operations, in purchasing or holding securities, including a hedge fund, mutual fund, or private equity fund, or any trust in respect of which a bank is trustee or cotrustee, investment company registered under the "Investment Company Act of 1940," 15 U.S.C. 80a-1 et seq., collective investment trust organized by banks under Part Nine of the Rules of the Comptroller of the Currency, closed-end investment trust, chartered or licensed life insurance company or property and casualty insurance company, investment advisor registered under the "Investment Advisors Act of 1940," 15 U.S.C. 80 b-1 et seq., and such other persons as the commission may reasonably determine to qualify as an institutional investor for reasons consistent with this chapter, and that does not exercise control over the affairs of a licensee and its ownership interest in a licensee is for investment purposes only, as set forth in division (F) of section 3772.10 of the Revised Code.

(P) "Key employee" means any executive, employee, agent, or other individual who has the power to exercise significant influence over decisions concerning any part of the operation of a person that has applied for or holds a casino operator, management company, or gaming-related vendor license or the operation of a holding company of a person that has applied for or holds a casino operator, management company, or gaming-related vendor license, including:

(1) An officer, director, trustee, partner, or an equivalent fiduciary;

(2) An individual who holds a direct or indirect ownership interest of five per cent or more;

(3) An individual who performs the function of a principal executive officer, principal operating officer, principal accounting officer, or an equivalent officer;

(4) Any other individual the commission determines to have the power to exercise significant influence over decisions concerning any part of the operation.

(Q) "Licensed casino operator" means a casino operator that has been issued a license by the commission and that has been certified annually by the commission to have paid all applicable fees, taxes, and debts to the state.

(R) "Majority ownership interest" in a license or in a casino facility, as the case may be, means ownership of more than fifty per cent of such license or casino facility, as the case may be. For purposes of the foregoing, whether a majority ownership interest is held in a license or in a casino facility, as the case may be, shall be determined under the rules for constructive ownership of stock provided in Treas. Reg. 1.409A-3(i)(5)(iii) as in effect on January 1, 2009.

(S) "Management company" means an organization retained by a casino operator to manage a casino facility and provide services such as accounting, general administration, maintenance, recruitment, and other operational services.

(T) "Ohio law enforcement training fund" means the state law enforcement training fund described in Section 6(C)(3)(f) of Article XV, Ohio Constitution, the money in which shall be used to enhance public safety by providing training opportunities to the law enforcement community.

(U) "Person" includes, but is not limited to, an individual or a combination of individuals; a sole proprietorship, a firm, a company, a joint venture, a partnership of any type, a joint-stock company, a corporation of any type, a corporate subsidiary of any type, a limited liability company, a business trust, or any other business entity or organization; an assignee; a receiver; a trustee in bankruptcy; an unincorporated association, club, society, or other unincorporated entity or organization; entities that are disregarded for federal income tax purposes; and any other nongovernmental, artificial, legal entity that is capable of engaging in business.

(V) "Problem casino gambling and addictions fund" means the state problem gambling and addictions fund described in Section 6(C)(3)(g) of Article XV, Ohio Constitution, the money in which shall be used for treatment of problem gambling and substance abuse, and for related research.

(W) "Promotional gaming credit" means a slot machine or table game credit, discount, or other similar item issued to a patron to enable the placement of, or increase in, a wager at a slot machine or table game.

(X) "Slot machine" means any mechanical, electrical, or other device or machine which, upon insertion of a coin, token, ticket, or similar object, or upon payment of any consideration, is available to play or operate, the play or operation of which, whether by reason of the skill of the operator or application of the element of chance, or both, makes individual prize determinations for individual participants in cash, premiums, merchandise, tokens, or any thing of value, whether the payoff is made automatically from the machine or in any other manner, but does not include any device that is a skill-based amusement machine, or an electronic instant bingo system, as defined in section 2915.01 of the Revised Code.

(Y) "Table game" means any game played with cards, dice, or any mechanical, electromechanical, or electronic device or machine for money, casino credit, or any representative of value. "Table game" does not include slot machines.

(Z) "Upfront license" means the first plenary license issued to a casino operator.

(AA) "Voluntary exclusion program" means a program provided by the commission that allows persons to voluntarily exclude themselves from the gaming areas of facilities under the jurisdiction of the commission by placing their name on a voluntary exclusion list and following the procedures set forth by the commission.

(BB) "Sports gaming," "sports gaming proprietor," "sports gaming facility," "sporting event," "mobile management services provider," and "management services provider" have the same meanings as in section 3775.01 of the Revised Code. A person is considered to be involved in a sporting event if division (F)(3) of section 3775.13 of the Revised Code applies to the person with respect to that sporting event.

Last updated September 7, 2023 at 3:12 PM

Section 3772.02 | Ohio casino control commission; creation; members; meetings.

• Effective: March 23, 2022
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 29 - 134th General Assembly

(A) There is hereby created the Ohio casino control commission described in Section 6(C)(4) of Article XV, Ohio Constitution.

(B) The commission shall consist of seven members appointed within one month of September 10, 2010, by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. The governor shall forward all appointments to the senate within twenty-four hours.

(1) Each commission member is eligible for reappointment at the discretion of the governor. No commission member shall be appointed for more than three terms in total.

(2) Each commission member shall be a resident of Ohio.

(3) At least one commission member shall be experienced in law enforcement and criminal investigation.

(4) At least one commission member shall be a certified public accountant experienced in accounting and auditing.

(5) At least one commission member shall be an attorney admitted to the practice of law in Ohio.

(6) At least one commission member shall be a resident of a county where one of the casino facilities is located.

(7) Not more than four commission members shall be of the same political party.

(8) No commission member shall have any affiliation with an Ohio casino operator or facility or with a sports gaming proprietor, mobile management services provider, or management services provider licensed under Chapter 3775. of the Revised Code.

(C) Commission members shall serve four-year terms, except that when the governor makes initial appointments to the commission under this chapter, the governor shall appoint three members to serve four-year terms with not more than two such members from the same political party, two members to serve three-year terms with such members not being from the same political party, and two members to serve two-year terms with such members not being from the same political party.

(D) Each commission member shall hold office from the date of appointment until the end of the term for which the member was appointed. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which the member's predecessor was appointed shall hold office for the remainder of the unexpired term. Any member shall continue in office after the expiration date of the member's term until the member's successor takes office, or until a period of sixty days has elapsed, whichever occurs first. A vacancy in the commission membership shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

(E) The governor shall select one member to serve as chairperson and the commission members shall select one member from a different party than the chairperson to serve as vice-chairperson. The governor may remove and replace the chairperson at any time. No such member shall serve as chairperson for more than six successive years. The vice-chairperson shall assume the duties of the chairperson in the absence of the chairperson. The chairperson and vice-chairperson shall perform but shall not be limited to additional duties as are prescribed by commission rule.

(F) A commission member is not required to devote the member's full time to membership on the commission. Beginning on September 29, 2015, each member of the commission shall receive compensation of fifty thousand dollars per year. Beginning July 1, 2016, each member of the commission shall receive compensation of forty thousand dollars per year. Beginning July 1, 2017, each member of the commission shall receive compensation of thirty thousand dollars per year. Each member shall receive the member's actual and necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of the member's official duties.

(G) The governor shall not appoint an individual to the commission, and an individual shall not serve on the commission, if the individual is ineligible to be appointed or retained under section 3772.07 of the Revised Code. A member who comes under indictment or bill of information of an offense that, if the member were convicted of the offense, would make the member ineligible to be appointed or retained under that section shall resign from the commission immediately upon indictment.

(H) At least five commission members shall be present for the commission to meet. The concurrence of four members is necessary for the commission to take any action. All members shall vote on the adoption of rules, and the approval of, and the suspension or revocation of, the licenses of casino operators or management companies, unless a member has a written leave of absence filed with and approved by the chairperson.

(I) A commission member may be removed or suspended from office in accordance with section 3.04 of the Revised Code.

(J) Each commission member, before entering upon the discharge of the member's official duties, shall make an oath to uphold the Ohio Constitution and laws of the state of Ohio and shall give a bond, payable by the commission, to the treasurer of state, in the sum of ten thousand dollars with sufficient sureties to be approved by the treasurer of state, which bond shall be filed with the secretary of state.

(K) The commission shall hold one regular meeting each month and shall convene other meetings at the request of the chairperson or a majority of the members. A member who fails to attend at least three-fifths of the regular and special meetings of the commission during any two-year period forfeits membership on the commission. All meetings of the commission shall be open meetings under section 121.22 of the Revised Code except as otherwise allowed by law.

(L) Pursuant to divisions (A)(3) and (9) of section 101.82 of the Revised Code, the commission is exempt from the requirements of sections 101.82 to 101.87 of the Revised Code.

Last updated January 24, 2022 at 11:01 AM

Section 3772.03 | Authority of commission; adoption of rules.

• Effective: March 23, 2022
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 132 (GA 132), House Bill 49 (GA 132), House Bill 29 (GA 134)

(A) To ensure the integrity of casino gaming, the commission shall have authority to complete the functions of licensing, regulating, investigating, and penalizing casino operators, management companies, holding companies, key employees, casino gaming employees, and gaming-related vendors. The commission also shall have jurisdiction over all persons participating in casino gaming authorized by Section 6(C) of Article XV, Ohio Constitution, and this chapter.

(B) All rules adopted by the commission under this chapter shall be adopted under procedures established in Chapter 119. of the Revised Code. The commission may contract for the services of experts and consultants to assist the commission in carrying out its duties under this section.

(C) The commission shall adopt rules as are necessary for completing the functions stated in division (A) of this section and for addressing the subjects enumerated in division (D) of this section.

(D) The commission shall adopt, and as advisable and necessary shall amend or repeal, rules that include all of the following:

(1) The prevention of practices detrimental to the public interest;

(2) Prescribing the method of applying, and the form of application, that an applicant for a license under this chapter must follow as otherwise described in this chapter;

(3) Prescribing the information to be furnished by an applicant or licensee as described in section 3772.11 of the Revised Code;

(4) Describing the certification standards and duties of an independent testing laboratory certified under section 3772.31 of the Revised Code and the relationship between the commission, the laboratory, the gaming-related vendor, and the casino operator;

(5) The minimum amount of insurance that must be maintained by a casino operator, management company, holding company, or gaming-related vendor;

(6) The approval process for a significant change in ownership or transfer of control of a licensee as provided in section 3772.091 of the Revised Code;

(7) The design of gaming supplies, devices, and equipment to be distributed by gaming-related vendors;

(8) Identifying the casino gaming that is permitted, identifying the gaming supplies, devices, and equipment, that are permitted, defining the area in which the permitted casino gaming may be conducted, and specifying the method of operation according to which the permitted casino gaming is to be conducted as provided in section 3772.20 of the Revised Code, and requiring gaming devices and equipment to meet the standards of this state;

(9) Tournament play in any casino facility;

(10) Establishing and implementing a voluntary exclusion program that provides all of the following:

(a) Except as provided by commission rule, a person who participates in the program shall agree to refrain from entering a casino facility.

(b) The name of a person participating in the program shall be included on a list of persons excluded from all casino facilities.

(c) Except as provided by commission rule, no person who participates in the program shall petition the commission for admittance into a casino facility.

(d) The list of persons participating in the program and the personal information of those persons shall be confidential and shall only be disseminated by the commission to the state lottery commission, casino operators, sports gaming proprietors, and their agents and employees for purposes of enforcement and to other entities, upon request of the participant and agreement by the commission.

(e) A casino operator shall make all reasonable attempts as determined by the commission to cease all direct marketing efforts to a person participating in the program.

(f) A casino operator shall not cash the check of a person participating in the program or extend credit to the person in any manner. However, the program shall not exclude a casino operator from seeking the payment of a debt accrued by a person before participating in the program.

(g) Any and all locations at which a person may register as a participant in the program shall be published.

(11) Requiring the commission to adopt standards regarding the marketing materials of a licensed casino operator, including allowing the commission to prohibit marketing materials that are contrary to the adopted standards;

(12) Requiring that the records, including financial statements, of any casino operator, management company, holding company, and gaming-related vendor be maintained in the manner prescribed by the commission and made available for inspection upon demand by the commission, but shall be subject to section 3772.16 of the Revised Code;

(13) Permitting a licensed casino operator, management company, key employee, or casino gaming employee to question a person suspected of violating this chapter;

(14) The chips, tokens, tickets, electronic cards, or similar objects that may be purchased by means of an agreement under which credit is extended to a wagerer by a casino operator;

(15) Establishing standards for provisional key employee licenses for a person who is required to be licensed as a key employee and is in exigent circumstances and standards for provisional licenses for casino gaming employees who submit complete applications and are compliant under an instant background check. A provisional license shall be valid not longer than three months. A provisional license may be renewed one time, at the commission's discretion, for an additional three months. In establishing standards with regard to instant background checks the commission shall take notice of criminal records checks as they are conducted under section 311.41 of the Revised Code using electronic fingerprint reading devices.

(16) Establishing approval procedures for third-party engineering or accounting firms, as described in section 3772.09 of the Revised Code;

(17) Prescribing the manner in which winnings, compensation from casino gaming, and gross revenue must be computed and reported by a licensee as described in Chapter 5753. of the Revised Code;

(18) Prescribing conditions under which a licensee's license may be suspended or revoked as described in section 3772.04 of the Revised Code;

(19) Prescribing the manner and procedure of all hearings to be conducted by the commission or by any hearing examiner;

(20) Prescribing technical standards and requirements that are to be met by security and surveillance equipment that is used at and standards and requirements to be met by personnel who are employed at casino facilities, and standards and requirements for the provision of security at and surveillance of casino facilities;

(21) Prescribing requirements for a casino operator to provide unarmed security services at a casino facility by licensed casino employees, and the training that shall be completed by these employees;

(22) Prescribing standards according to which casino operators shall keep accounts and standards according to which casino accounts shall be audited, and establish means of assisting the tax commissioner in levying and collecting the gross casino revenue tax levied under section 5753.02 of the Revised Code;

(23) Defining penalties for violation of commission rules and a process for imposing such penalties;

(24) Establishing standards for decertifying contractors that violate statutes or rules of this state or the federal government;

(25) Establishing standards for the repair of casino gaming equipment;

(26) Establishing procedures to ensure that casino operators, management companies, and holding companies are compliant with the compulsive and problem gambling plan submitted under section 3772.18 of the Revised Code;

(27) Prescribing, for institutional investors in or holding companies of a casino operator, management company, holding company, or gaming-related vendor that fall below the threshold needed to be considered an institutional investor or a holding company, standards regarding what any employees, members, or owners of those investors or holding companies may do and shall not do in relation to casino facilities and casino gaming in this state, which standards shall rationally relate to the need to proscribe conduct that is inconsistent with passive institutional investment status;

(28) Providing for any other thing necessary and proper for successful and efficient regulation of casino gaming under this chapter.

(E) The commission shall employ and assign gaming agents as necessary to assist the commission in carrying out the duties of this chapter and Chapters 2915. and 3775. of the Revised Code. In order to maintain employment as a gaming agent, the gaming agent shall successfully complete all continuing training programs required by the commission and shall not have been convicted of or pleaded guilty or no contest to an offense that makes the gaming agent ineligible for appointment or retention under section 3772.07 of the Revised Code.

(F) The commission, as a law enforcement agency, and its gaming agents, as law enforcement officers as defined in section 2901.01 of the Revised Code, shall have authority with regard to the detection and investigation of, the seizure of evidence allegedly relating to, and the apprehension and arrest of persons allegedly committing violations of this chapter or gambling offenses as defined in section 2915.01 of the Revised Code or violations of any other law of this state that may affect the integrity of casino gaming, the operation of skill-based amusement machines, or the operation of sports gaming, and shall have access to casino facilities, skill-based amusement machine facilities, and sports gaming facilities to carry out the requirements of this chapter and Chapter 3775. of the Revised Code.

(G) The commission may eject or exclude or authorize the ejection or exclusion of and a gaming agent may eject a person from a casino facility for any of the following reasons:

(1) The person's name is on the list of persons voluntarily excluding themselves from all casinos in a program established according to rules adopted by the commission;

(2) The person violates or conspires to violate this chapter or a rule adopted thereunder; or

(3) The commission determines that the person's conduct or reputation is such that the person's presence within a casino facility may call into question the honesty and integrity of the casino gaming operations or interfere with the orderly conduct of the casino gaming operations.

(H) A person, other than a person participating in a voluntary exclusion program, may petition the commission for a public hearing on the person's ejection or exclusion under this chapter.

(I) A casino operator or management company shall have the same authority to eject or exclude a person from the management company's casino facilities as authorized in division (G) of this section. The licensee shall immediately notify the commission of an ejection or exclusion.

(J) The commission shall submit a written annual report with the governor, president and minority leader of the senate, and the speaker and minority leader of the house of representatives before the first day of September each year. The annual report shall cover the previous fiscal year and shall include all of the following:

(1) A statement describing the receipts and disbursements of the commission;

(2) Relevant financial data regarding casino gaming, including gross revenues and disbursements made under this chapter;

(3) Actions taken by the commission;

(4) An update on casino operators', management companies', and holding companies' compulsive and problem gambling plans and the voluntary exclusion program and list;

(5) Information regarding prosecutions for conduct described in division (H) of section 3772.99 of the Revised Code, including, but not limited to, the total number of prosecutions commenced and the name of each person prosecuted;

(6) Any additional information that the commission considers useful or that the governor, president or minority leader of the senate, or speaker or minority leader of the house of representatives requests.

(K) To ensure the integrity of skill-based amusement machine operations, the commission shall have jurisdiction over all persons conducting or participating in the conduct of skill-based amusement machine operations authorized by this chapter and Chapter 2915. of the Revised Code, including the authority to complete the functions of licensing, regulating, investigating, and penalizing those persons in a manner that is consistent with the commission's authority to do the same with respect to casino gaming. To carry out this division, the commission may adopt rules under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, including rules establishing fees and penalties related to the operation of skill-based amusement machines.

(L) To ensure the integrity of fantasy contests, the commission shall have jurisdiction over all persons conducting or participating in the conduct of a fantasy contest authorized by Chapter 3774. of the Revised Code, including the authority to license, regulate, investigate, and penalize those persons in a manner that is consistent with the commission's authority to do the same with respect to skill-based amusement machines. To carry out this division, the commission may adopt rules under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, including rules establishing fees and penalties related to the operation of fantasy contests.

(M) All fees imposed pursuant to the rules adopted under divisions (K) and (L) of this section shall be deposited into the casino control commission fund.

The Legislative Service Commission presents the text of this section as a composite of the section as amended by multiple acts of the General Assembly. This presentation recognizes the principle stated in R.C. 1.52(B) that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation.

Last updated January 31, 2022 at 4:27 PM

Section 3772.031 | Involuntary exclusion from casino gaming and sports gaming.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A)(1) The general assembly finds that the exclusion or ejection of certain persons from casino facilities and from sports gaming is necessary to effectuate the intents and purposes of this chapter and Chapter 3775. of the Revised Code and to maintain strict and effective regulation of casino gaming and sports gaming. The general assembly specifically finds that the exclusion from sports gaming of persons who threaten violence or harm against persons who are involved in sporting events, where the threat is related to sports gaming, is necessary to effectuate the intent of Chapter 3775. of the Revised Code and to protect the interests of this state.

(2) The commission, by rule, shall provide for a list of persons who are to be excluded or ejected from a casino facility and a list of persons who are to be excluded or ejected from a sports gaming facility and from participating in the play or operation of sports gaming in this state. Persons included on an exclusion list shall be identified by name and physical description. The commission shall publish the exclusion lists on its web site, and shall transmit a copy of the exclusion lists periodically to casino operators and sports gaming proprietors, as applicable, as they are initially issued and thereafter as they are revised from time to time.

(3) A casino operator shall take steps necessary to ensure that all its key employees and casino gaming employees are aware of and understand the casino exclusion list and its function, and that all its key employees and casino gaming employees are kept aware of the content of the casino exclusion list as it is issued and thereafter revised from time to time.

(4) A sports gaming proprietor shall take steps necessary to ensure that its appropriate agents and employees are aware of and understand the sports gaming exclusion list and its function, and that all its appropriate agents and employees are kept aware of the content of the sports gaming exclusion list as it is issued and thereafter revised from time to time.

(B) The casino exclusion list may include any person whose presence in a casino facility is determined by the commission to pose a threat to the interests of the state, to achieving the intents and purposes of this chapter, or to the strict and effective regulation of casino gaming. The sports gaming exclusion list may include any person who, before, during, or after a sporting event, threatens violence or harm against any person who is involved in the sporting event, where the threat is related to sports gaming, or whose presence in a sports gaming facility or whose participation in the play or operation of sports gaming in this state is determined by the commission to pose a threat to the interests of the state, to achieving the intents and purposes of Chapter 3775. of the Revised Code, or to the strict and effective regulation of sports gaming. In determining whether to include a person on an exclusion list, the commission may consider:

(1) Any prior conviction of a crime that is a felony under the laws of this state, another state, or the United States, a crime involving moral turpitude, or a violation of the gaming laws of this state, another state, or the United States; and

(2) A violation, or a conspiracy to violate, any provision of this chapter or Chapter 3775. of the Revised Code, as applicable, that consists of:

(a) A failure to disclose an interest in a gaming facility or a sports gaming-related person or entity for which the person must obtain a license;

(b) Purposeful evasion of taxes or fees;

(c) A notorious or unsavory reputation that would adversely affect public confidence and trust that casino gaming or sports gaming is free from criminal or corruptive elements; or

(d) A violation of an order of the commission or of any other governmental agency that warrants exclusion or ejection of the person from a casino facility, from a sports gaming facility, or from participating in the play or operation of sports gaming in this state.

(3) If the person has pending charges or indictments for a gaming or gambling crime or a crime related to the integrity of gaming operations in any state;

(4) If the person's conduct or reputation is such that the person's presence within a casino facility or in the sports gaming industry in this state may call into question the honesty and integrity of the casino gaming or sports gaming operations or interfere with the orderly conduct of the casino gaming or sports gaming operations;

(5) If the person is a career or professional offender whose presence in a casino facility or in the sports gaming industry in this state would be adverse to the interest of licensed gaming in this state;

(6) If the person has a known relationship or connection with a career or professional offender whose presence in a casino facility or in the sports gaming industry in this state would be adverse to the interest of licensed gaming in this state;

(7) If the commission has suspended the person's gaming privileges;

(8) If the commission has revoked the person's licenses related to this chapter or Chapter 3775. of the Revised Code;

(9) If the commission determines that the person poses a threat to the safety of patrons or employees of a casino facility or a sports gaming facility;

(10) If the person has threatened violence or harm against a person who is involved in the sporting event, where the threat was related to sports gaming with respect to that sporting event;

(11) If the person has a history of conduct involving the disruption of gaming operations within a casino facility or in the sports gaming industry in this state.

Race, color, creed, national origin or ancestry, or sex are not grounds for placing a person on an exclusion list.

(C) The commission shall notify a person of the commission's intent to include such person on one or both exclusion lists. The notice shall be provided by personal service, by certified mail to the person's last known address, by commercial carrier utilizing a method of delivery that provides confirmation of delivery, or, if service cannot be accomplished by personal service, certified mail, or commercial carrier, by publication daily for two weeks in a newspaper of general circulation within the county in which the person resides and in a newspaper of general circulation within each county in which a casino facility or sports gaming facility, as applicable, is located.

(D)(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person who receives notice of intent to include the person on an exclusion list is entitled, upon the person's request, to an adjudication hearing under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, in which the person may demonstrate why the person should not be included on the exclusion list or lists. The person shall request such an adjudication hearing not later than thirty days after the person receives the notice by personal service, certified mail, or commercial carrier, or not later than thirty days after the last newspaper publication of the notice.

(2) If the person does not request a hearing in accordance with division (D)(1) of this section, the commission may, but is not required to, conduct an adjudication hearing under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code. The commission may reopen an adjudication under this section at any time.

(3) If the adjudication hearing, order, or any appeal thereof under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code results in an order that the person should not be included on the exclusion list or lists, the commission shall publish a revised exclusion list that does not include the person. The commission also shall notify casino operators or sports gaming proprietors, as applicable, that the person has been removed from the exclusion list or lists. A casino operator shall take all steps necessary to ensure its key employees and casino gaming employees are made aware that the person has been removed from the casino exclusion list. A sports gaming proprietor shall take all steps necessary to ensure its appropriate agents and employees are made aware that the person has been removed from the sports gaming exclusion list.

(E) This section does not apply to any voluntary exclusion list created as part of a voluntary exclusion program under this chapter or Chapter 3775. of the Revised Code.

Last updated September 18, 2023 at 2:36 PM

Section 3772.033 | Powers of commission.

• Effective: September 10, 2010
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 519 - 128th General Assembly

In carrying out the responsibilities vested in the commission by this chapter, the commission may do all the following and may designate any such responsibilities to the executive director, to the commission's employees, or to the gaming agents:

(A) Inspect and examine all premises where casino gaming is conducted or gaming supplies, devices, or equipment are manufactured, sold, or distributed;

(B) Inspect all gaming supplies, devices, and equipment in or about a casino facility;

(C) Summarily impound and seize and remove from the casino facility premises gaming supplies, devices, and equipment for the purpose of examination and inspection;

(D) Determine any facts, or any conditions, practices, or other matters, as the commission considers necessary or proper to aid in the enforcement of this chapter or of a rule adopted thereunder;

(E) Audit gaming operations, including those that have ceased operation;

(F) Investigate, for the purpose of prosecution, any suspected violation of this chapter or rules adopted thereunder;

(G) Investigate as appropriate to aid the commission and to seek the executive director's advice in adopting rules;

(H) Secure information as is necessary to provide a basis for recommending legislation for the improvement of this chapter;

(I) Make, execute, and otherwise effectuate all contracts and other agreements, including contracts for necessary purchases of goods and services. Except for any contract entered into with independent testing laboratories under section 3772.31 of the Revised Code, the commission shall ensure use of Ohio products or services in compliance with sections 125.09 and 125.11 of the Revised Code and all rules adopted thereunder.

(J) Employ the services of persons the commission considers necessary for the purposes of consultation or investigation, and fix the salaries of, or contract for the services of, legal, accounting, technical, operational, and other personnel and consultants;

(K) Secure, by agreement, information and services as the commission considers necessary from any state agency or other unit of state government;

(L) Acquire furnishings, equipment, supplies, stationery, books, and all other things the commission considers necessary or desirable to successfully and efficiently carry out the commission's duties and functions; and

(M) Perform all other things the commission considers necessary to effectuate the intents and purposes of this chapter. This section shall not prohibit the commission from imposing administrative discipline, including fines and suspension or revocation of licenses, on licensees under this chapter if the licensee is found to be in violation of the commission's rules.

Section 3772.034 | Immunity from liability.

• Effective: September 10, 2010
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 519 - 128th General Assembly

Absent gross negligence, a casino operator, management company, holding company, gaming-related vendor, the state, and employees of those entities are entitled to immunity from any type of civil liability if a person participating in the voluntary exclusion program enters a casino facility.

Section 3772.04 | Adjudications; hearings; orders.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A)(1) If the commission concludes that an applicant, licensee, or other person subject to the commission's jurisdiction under this chapter should be fined or penalized, or that a license required by this chapter or Chapter 3775. of the Revised Code should be limited, conditioned, restricted, suspended, revoked, denied, or not renewed, the commission may, and if so requested by the licensee, applicant, or other person, shall, conduct a hearing in an adjudication under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code. After notice and opportunity for a hearing, the commission may fine or penalize the applicant, licensee, or other person or limit, condition, restrict, suspend, revoke, deny, or not renew a license under rules adopted by the commission. The commission may reopen an adjudication under this section at any time.

(2) The commission shall appoint a hearing examiner to conduct the hearing in the adjudication. A party to the adjudication may file written objections to the hearing examiner's report and recommendations not later than the thirtieth day after they are served upon the party or the party's attorney or other representative of record. The commission shall not take up the hearing examiner's report and recommendations earlier than the thirtieth day after the hearing examiner's report and recommendations were submitted to the commission.

(3) If the commission finds that a person fails or has failed to meet any requirement under this chapter or Chapter 3775. of the Revised Code or a rule adopted thereunder, or violates or has violated this chapter or Chapter 3775. of the Revised Code or a rule adopted thereunder, the commission may issue an order:

(a) Limiting, conditioning, restricting, suspending, revoking, denying, or not renewing, a license issued under this chapter or Chapter 3775. of the Revised Code;

(b) Requiring a casino facility to exclude a licensee from the casino facility or requiring a casino facility not to pay to the licensee any remuneration for services or any share of profits, income, or accruals on the licensee's investment in the casino facility; or

(c) Fining a licensee or other person according to the penalties adopted by the commission.

(4) An order may be judicially reviewed under section 119.12 of the Revised Code.

(B) Without in any manner limiting the authority of the commission to impose the level and type of discipline the commission considers appropriate, the commission may take into consideration the following:

(1) If the licensee knew or reasonably should have known that the action complained of was a violation of any law, rule, or condition on the licensee's license;

(2) If the licensee has previously been disciplined by the commission;

(3) If the licensee has previously been subject to discipline by the commission concerning the violation of any law, rule, or condition of the licensee's license;

(4) If the licensee reasonably relied upon professional advice from a lawyer, doctor, accountant, or other recognized professional that was relevant to the action resulting in the violation;

(5) If the licensee or the licensee's employer had a reasonably constituted and functioning compliance program;

(6) If the imposition of a condition requiring the licensee to establish and implement a written self-enforcement and compliance program would assist in ensuring the licensee's future compliance with all statutes, rules, and conditions of the license;

(7) If the licensee realized a pecuniary gain from the violation;

(8) If the amount of any fine or other penalty imposed would result in disgorgement of any gains unlawfully realized by the licensee;

(9) If the violation was caused by an officer or employee of the licensee, the level of authority of the individual who caused the violation;

(10) If the individual who caused the violation acted within the scope of the individual's authority as granted by the licensee;

(11) The adequacy of any training programs offered by the licensee or the licensee's employer that were relevant to the activity that resulted in the violation;

(12) If the licensee's action substantially deviated from industry standards and customs;

(13) The extent to which the licensee cooperated with the commission during the investigation of the violation;

(14) If the licensee has initiated remedial measures to prevent similar violations;

(15) The magnitude of penalties imposed on other licensees for similar violations;

(16) The proportionality of the penalty in relation to the misconduct;

(17) The extent to which the amount of any fine imposed would punish the licensee for the conduct and deter future violations;

(18) Any mitigating factors offered by the licensee; and

(19) Any other factors the commission considers relevant.

(C) For the purpose of conducting any study or investigation, the commission may direct that public hearings be held at a time and place, prescribed by the commission, in accordance with section 121.22 of the Revised Code. The commission shall give notice of all public hearings in such manner as will give actual notice to all interested parties.

(D)(1) For the purpose of conducting the hearing in an adjudication under division (A) of this section, or in the discharge of any duties imposed by this chapter or Chapter 3775. of the Revised Code, the commission may require that testimony be given under oath and administer such oath, issue subpoenas compelling the attendance of witnesses and the production of any papers, books, and accounts, directed to the sheriffs of the counties where such witnesses or papers, books, and accounts are found and cause the deposition of any witness. The subpoenas shall be served and returned in the same manner as subpoenas in criminal cases are served and returned. The fees of sheriffs shall be the same as those allowed by the court of common pleas in criminal cases.

(2) In the event of the refusal of any person without good cause to comply with the terms of a subpoena issued by the commission or refusal to testify on matters about which the person may lawfully be questioned, the prosecuting attorney of the county in which such person resides, upon the petition of the commission, may bring a proceeding for contempt against such person in the court of common pleas of that county.

(3) Witnesses shall be paid the fees and mileage provided for in section 119.094 of the Revised Code.

(4) All fees and mileage expenses incurred at the request of a party shall be paid in advance by the party.

(E) When conducting a public hearing, the commission shall not limit the number of speakers who may testify. However, the commission may set reasonable time limits on the length of an individual's testimony or the total amount of time allotted to proponents and opponents of an issue before the commission.

(F) The commission may rely, in whole or in part, upon investigations, conclusions, or findings of other casino gaming or sports gaming commissions, as applicable, or other government regulatory bodies in connection with licensing, investigations, or other matters relating to an applicant or licensee under this chapter.

(G) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this chapter or Chapter 3775. of the Revised Code, and except with respect to a license issued under this chapter to a casino operator, management company, or holding company, the executive director may issue an emergency order for the suspension, limitation, or conditioning of any license, registration, approval, or certificate issued, approved, granted, or otherwise authorized by the commission under Chapter 3772. or 3775. of the Revised Code or the rules adopted thereunder, requiring the inclusion of persons on the casino exclusion list or sports gaming exclusion list provided for under section 3772.031 of the Revised Code or Chapter 3775. of the Revised Code and the rules adopted thereunder, and requiring a casino facility not to pay a licensee, registrant, or approved or certified person any remuneration for services or any share of profits, income, or accruals on that person's investment in the casino facility.

(1) An emergency order may be issued when the executive director finds either of the following:

(a) A licensee, registrant, or approved or certified person has been charged with a violation of any of the criminal laws of this state, another state, or the federal government;

(b) Such an action is necessary to prevent a violation of this chapter or Chapter 3775. of the Revised Code or a rule adopted thereunder.

(2) An emergency order issued under division (G) of this section shall state the reasons for the commission's action, cite the law or rule directly involved, and state that the party will be afforded a hearing if the party requests it within thirty days after the time of mailing or personal delivery of the order.

(3)(a) Not later than the next business day after the issuance of the emergency order, the order shall be sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or by commercial carrier utilizing any form of delivery requiring a signed receipt, to the party at the party's last known mailing address appearing in the commission's records or personally delivered at any time to the party by an employee or agent of the commission.

(b) A copy of the order shall be mailed or an electronic copy provided to the attorney or other representative of record representing the party.

(c) If the order sent by registered or certified mail or by commercial carrier is returned because the party fails to claim the order, the commission shall send the order by ordinary mail to the party at the party's last known address and shall obtain a certificate of mailing. Service by ordinary mail is complete when the certificate of mailing is obtained unless the order is returned showing failure of delivery.

(d) If the order sent by commercial carrier or registered, certified, or ordinary mail is returned for failure of delivery, the commission shall either make personal delivery of the order by an employee or agent of the commission or cause a summary of the substantive provisions of the order to be published once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the last known address of the party is located.

(i) Failure of delivery occurs only when a mailed order is returned by the postal authorities or commercial carrier marked undeliverable, address or addressee unknown, or forwarding address unknown or expired.

(ii) When service is completed by publication, a proof of publication affidavit, with the first publication of the summary set forth in the affidavit, shall be mailed by ordinary mail to the party at the party's last known address and the order shall be deemed received as of the date of the last publication.

(e) Refusal of delivery of the order sent by mail or personally delivered to the party is not failure of delivery and service is deemed to be complete.

(4) The emergency order shall be effective immediately upon service of the order on the party. The emergency order shall remain effective until further order of the executive director or the commission.

(5) The commission may, and if so requested by the person affected by the emergency order shall, promptly conduct a hearing in an adjudication under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

Last updated September 18, 2023 at 2:44 PM

Section 3772.05 | Access to records; examination of officers, agents or employees.

• Effective: September 10, 2010
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 519 - 128th General Assembly

To carry out the provisions of this chapter and other enforcement provisions provided for under the laws of this state, under their established duties and authority, the tax commissioner, the Ohio ethics commission, the inspector general, and the commission, and their respective employees, may demand access to and inspect, examine, photocopy, and audit all books, accounts, records, and memoranda of any person that is not protected by privilege and that is subject to the provisions of this chapter, and may examine under oath any officer, agent, or employee of that person.

Section 3772.051 | Audits of ceased gaming operation.

• Effective: September 10, 2010
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 519 - 128th General Assembly

Upon cessation of gaming operations, a former licensee shall furnish, upon the demand of the commission, books, papers, and other records as necessary for the commission to audit the ceased gaming operation. A former licensee shall maintain all books, papers, and other records for a period of three years after the cessation of gaming operations. However, if a civil action or criminal proceeding relating to the former licensee is pending, or if an administrative adjudication or judicial review of an administrative adjudication relating to the former licensee is pending, the former licensee shall maintain all books, papers, and other records until the matter has been finally determined.

If a person disobeys a subpoena or subpoena duces tecum, or refuses to testify as directed by a subpoena, the commission shall request the prosecutor of the county in which the person resides to apply to the court of common pleas for an order compelling the person to attend or to produce tangible evidence, or to testify, as directed by the subpoena or subpoena duces tecum. The court shall treat the application as if it were disobedience to comply with a subpoena or subpoena duces tecum issued by the court or a refusal to testify in the court.

Section 3772.06 | Executive director.

• Effective: September 10, 2010
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 519 - 128th General Assembly

(A)(1) The commission shall appoint an executive director who shall serve at the pleasure of the commission. The executive director is in the unclassified service, shall devote full time to the duties of the office, and shall hold no other office or employment. The executive director shall, by experience and training, possess management skills that equip the executive director to administer an enterprise of the nature of the commission. The executive director shall not have a pecuniary interest in any business organization that holds a license under this chapter, or that does business with any person licensed under this chapter. A member of the general assembly, a person who holds an elective office, or an office holder of a political party is ineligible to be appointed executive director at the same time as being such a member or holding such an office. The executive director shall receive an annual salary in accordance with pay range 48 of section 124.152 of the Revised Code.

(2) The executive director, before entering upon the discharge of the executive director's official duties, shall give, and thereafter shall maintain, bond in the amount of twenty-five thousand dollars, payable to the state, conditioned upon the executive director's faithful and proper performance of the executive director's official duties. The bond shall be issued by a surety authorized to do business in this state and shall be filed with the secretary of state. The bond may be an individual bond or a schedule or blanket bond.

(B)(1) The executive director or a deputy designated in writing by the executive director shall attend all meetings of the commission and shall act as its secretary. The executive director shall keep a record of all commission proceedings and shall keep the commission's records, files, and documents at the commission's principal office.

(2) The executive director shall be the chief executive officer and shall be responsible for keeping all commission records and supervising and administering casino gaming in accordance with this chapter, and enforcing all commission rules adopted under this chapter.

(3) The executive director shall hire staff, including an assistant director or deputy directors, as necessary to assist the executive director in the executive director's duties under this chapter. In appointing employees, the executive director is subject to section 3772.061 of the Revised Code. The executive director may employ employees as necessary, unless the commission determines otherwise. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, all costs of administration incurred by the executive director and the executive director's employees shall be paid out of the casino control commission fund.

(C) A state agency or other unit of state government shall cooperate with the commission, and shall provide the commission with information and services the commission considers necessary to carry out the commission's duties and functions under this chapter.

(D) The executive director shall confer at least once each month with the commission, at which time the executive director shall advise it regarding the operation and administration of the commission and casino gaming. The executive director shall make available at the request of the commission all documents, files, and other records pertaining to the operation and administration of the commission and casino gaming. The executive director shall prepare and make available to the commission each month a complete and accurate accounting of gross casino gaming revenues, and all other relevant financial information, including an accounting of all transfers made from the casino control commission fund.

Section 3772.061 | Internal auditing department.

• Effective: September 10, 2010
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 519 - 128th General Assembly

The executive director of the commission shall appoint the number of professional, technical, and clerical employees that is necessary, in the executive director's reasonable opinion, for conducting internal audits, as an internal auditing department, of the commission. The professional and technical employees so appointed shall be qualified by education, licensing (if relevant), and experience to perform the internal audit function successfully and efficiently. These employees, together with clerical employees necessary for their support, shall be assigned only to the internal audit function and not to any other function of the commission.

The internal auditing department, at reasonable intervals and as necessary, shall conduct internal audits of the commission. The internal audits shall audit the accounts and transactions of the commission, ascertain the condition of funds used by the commission, and make an inventory of the funds and of the assets under the control of the commission. The report of an internal audit shall be signed by the employee who was principally responsible for conducting the internal audit. A copy of the signed report shall be forwarded to the commission and to the auditor of state. The report is not a public record that is open to public inspection and copying until it has been forwarded as required by the preceding sentence.

Section 3772.062 | Gambling and addiction services; toll-free telephone numbers.

• Effective: March 23, 2022
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 29 - 134th General Assembly

(A)(1) The executive director of the commission shall enter into an agreement with the department of mental health and addiction services under which the department provides a program of gambling and addiction services, including services to alleviate problem sports gaming, on behalf of the commission.

(2) The commission shall use the moneys in the problem sports gaming fund established under section 5753.031 of the Revised Code for the purpose of paying the costs of program services to alleviate problem sports gaming in this state.

(B) The executive director of the commission, in conjunction with the department of mental health and addiction services and the state lottery commission, shall establish, operate, and publicize an in-state, toll-free telephone number Ohio residents may call to obtain basic information about problem gambling, the gambling addiction services available to problem gamblers, and how a problem gambler may obtain help. The telephone number shall be staffed twenty-four hours per day, seven days a week, to respond to inquiries and provide that information. The costs of establishing, operating, and publicizing the telephone number shall be paid for with money in the problem casino gambling and addictions fund.

Last updated January 24, 2022 at 11:03 AM

Section 3772.07 | Criminal records checks.

• Effective: March 23, 2022
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 29 - 134th General Assembly

The following appointing or licensing authorities shall obtain a criminal records check of the person who is to be appointed or licensed:

(A) The governor, before appointing an individual as a member of the commission;

(B) The commission, before appointing an individual as executive director or a gaming agent;

(C) The commission, before issuing a license for a key employee or casino gaming employee, and before issuing a license for each investor, except an institutional investor, for a casino operator, management company, holding company, or gaming-related vendor;

(D) The executive director, before appointing an individual as a professional, technical, or clerical employee of the commission.

Thereafter, such an appointing or licensing authority shall obtain a criminal records check of the same individual at three-year intervals.

The appointing or licensing authority shall make available to each person of whom a criminal records check is required a copy of the form and the standard fingerprint impression sheet prescribed under divisions (C)(1) and (2) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code. The person shall complete the form and impression sheet and return them as directed by the appointing or licensing authority. If a person fails to complete and return the form and impression sheet within a reasonable time, the person is ineligible to be appointed or licensed or to continue in the appointment or licensure.

The appointing or licensing authority shall cause the completed form and impression sheet to be forwarded to the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation. The appointing or licensing authority shall request the superintendent also to obtain information from the federal bureau of investigation, including fingerprint-based checks of the national crime information databases, and from other states and the federal government under the national crime prevention and privacy compact as part of the criminal records check.

For all criminal records checks conducted under this section, the applicant for a casino operator, management company, holding company, gaming-related vendor, key employee, or casino gaming employee license shall pay the fee charged by the bureau of criminal identification and investigation or by a vendor approved by the bureau to conduct a criminal records check based on the applicant's fingerprints in accordance with division (A)(15) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code. If the applicant for a key employee or casino gaming employee license is applying at the request of a casino operator, management company, holding company, or gaming-related vendor, the casino operator, management company, holding company, or gaming-related vendor shall pay the fee charged for all criminal records checks conducted under this section.

The appointing or licensing authority shall review the results of a criminal records check. An appointee for a commission member shall forward the results of the criminal records check to the president of the senate before the senate advises and consents to the appointment of the commission member. The appointing authority shall not appoint or retain the appointment of a person a criminal records check discloses has been convicted of or has pleaded guilty or no contest to any gambling offense, any theft offense, any offense having an element of fraud or misrepresentation, any offense having an element of moral turpitude, and any felony not otherwise included in the foregoing list, except as otherwise provided in section 3772.10 of the Revised Code. The licensing authority shall not license a person if a criminal records check discloses that the person has been convicted of a disqualifying offense. As used in this section, "disqualifying offense" means a disqualifying offense as determined by the licensing authority under section 9.79 of the Revised Code.

The report of a criminal records check is not a public record that is open to public inspection and copying. The commission shall not make the report available to any person other than the person who was the subject of the criminal records check; an appointing or licensing authority; a member, the executive director, or an employee of the commission; or any court or agency, including a hearing examiner, in a judicial or administrative proceeding relating to the person's employment or application for a license under this chapter.

Last updated January 24, 2022 at 11:04 AM

Section 3772.08 | Licensed operators; permitted activities.

• Effective: September 10, 2010
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 519 - 128th General Assembly

(A) Casino gaming shall be conducted only by licensed casino operators of the four casino facilities or by a licensed management company retained by a licensed casino operator.

(B) A licensed casino operator, licensed management company, or another person may provide nongaming amenities within the casino facility.

Section 3772.09 | License; required documentation.

• Effective: September 10, 2010
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 519 - 128th General Assembly

(A) No casino operator, management company, holding company, gaming-related vendor, key employee, or casino gaming employee shall conduct or participate in conducting casino gaming without first obtaining a license from the commission.

(B) Before a licensed casino operator may conduct casino gaming at a casino facility, a licensed casino operator shall engage a third-party engineering or accounting firm to certify expenses of its initial investment, as required by section 3772.27 of the Revised Code, and provide documentation to the commission. The third-party engineering or accounting firm shall be approved by the commission and shall certify expenses in accordance with rules adopted by the commission under section 3772.03 of the Revised Code. The commission may request the department of administrative services to assist the commission in carrying out its duties under this section.

Section 3772.091 | Licenses not transferable; initial license; when new license required.

• Effective: June 11, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 386 - 129th General Assembly

(A) No license issued under this chapter is transferable. Except as provided in division (B) of this section, new majority ownership interest or control of a licensee shall require a new license. The commission may reopen a licensing investigation at any time. A significant change in or transfer of control, as determined by the commission, shall require the filing of an application for a new license and submission of a license fee with the commission before any such change or transfer of control is approved. A change in or transfer of control to an immediate family member is not considered a significant change under this section.

(B) An initial license shall not be considered transferred, and a new license shall not be required, when an initial licensee that is licensed before June 1, 2013, does or has done both of the following:

(1) Obtains a majority ownership interest in, or a change in or transfer of control of, another initial licensee for the same casino facility; and

(2) Was investigated under this chapter as a parent, affiliate, subsidiary, key employee, or partner, or joint venturer with another initial licensee that has held for the same casino facility a majority ownership interest in or control of the initial license when the initial license was issued and when such an initial licensee obtains a majority ownership interest in or a change in or transfer of control.

(C) As used in this section:

(1) "Control" means either of the following:

(a) Either:

(i) Holding fifty per cent or more of the outstanding voting securities of a licensee; or

(ii) For an unincorporated licensee, having the right to fifty per cent or more of the profits of the licensee, or having the right in the event of dissolution to fifty per cent or more of the assets of the licensee.

(b) Having the contractual power presently to designate fifty per cent or more of the directors of a for-profit or not-for-profit corporation, or in the case of trusts described in paragraphs (c)(3) to (5) of 16 C.F.R. 801.1, the trustees of such a trust.

(2) "Initial license" means the first plenary license issued to an initial licensee.

(3) "Initial licensee" means any of the persons issued an initial license to conduct or participate in conducting casino gaming at each casino facility as either a casino operator, a management company, or a holding company of a casino operator or management company.

Section 3772.10 | Granting or maintaining privileges; considerations.

• Effective: October 9, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 263 - 133rd General Assembly

(A) In determining whether to grant or maintain the privilege of a casino operator, management company, holding company, key employee, casino gaming employee, or gaming-related vendor license, the Ohio casino control commission shall, except as provided in division (D) of this section, consider all of the following, as applicable:

(1) The reputation, experience, and financial integrity of the applicant, its holding company, if applicable, and any other person that directly or indirectly controls the applicant;

(2) The financial ability of the applicant to purchase and maintain adequate liability and casualty insurance and to provide an adequate surety bond;

(3) The past and present compliance of the applicant and its affiliates or affiliated companies with casino-related licensing requirements in this state or any other jurisdiction, including whether the applicant has a history of noncompliance with the casino licensing requirements of any jurisdiction;

(4) If the applicant has been indicted, convicted, pleaded guilty or no contest, or forfeited bail concerning any criminal offense under the laws of any jurisdiction, either felony or misdemeanor, not including traffic violations;

(5) If the applicant has filed, or had filed against it a proceeding for bankruptcy or has ever been involved in any formal process to adjust, defer, suspend, or otherwise work out the payment of any debt;

(6) If the applicant has been served with a complaint or other notice filed with any public body regarding a payment of any tax required under federal, state, or local law that has been delinquent for one or more years;

(7) If the applicant is or has been a defendant in litigation involving its business practices;

(8) If awarding a license would undermine the public's confidence in the casino gaming industry in this state;

(9) If the applicant meets other standards for the issuance of a license that the commission adopts by rule, which shall not be arbitrary, capricious, or contradictory to the expressed provisions of this chapter.

(B) All applicants for a license under this chapter shall establish their suitability for a license by clear and convincing evidence. If the commission determines that a person is eligible under this chapter to be issued a license as a casino operator, management company, holding company, key employee, casino gaming employee, or gaming-related vendor, the commission shall issue such license for not more than three years, as determined by commission rule, if all other requirements of this chapter have been satisfied.

(C) The commission shall not, except as provided in division (D) of this section, issue a casino operator, management company, holding company, key employee, casino gaming employee, or gaming-related vendor license under this chapter to an applicant if:

(1) The applicant has been convicted of a disqualifying offense, as defined in section 3772.07 of the Revised Code.

(2) The applicant has submitted an application for license under this chapter that contains false information.

(3) The applicant is a commission member.

(4) The applicant owns an ownership interest that is unlawful under this chapter, unless waived by the commission.

(5) The applicant violates specific rules adopted by the commission related to denial of licensure.

(6) The applicant is a member of or employed by a gaming regulatory body of a governmental unit in this state, another state, or the federal government, or is an employee of a governmental unit of this state and in that capacity has significant influence or control, as determined by the commission, over the ability of a casino operator, management company, holding company, institutional investor, or gaming-related vendor to conduct business in this state. This division does not prohibit a casino operator or management company from hiring special duty law enforcement officers if the officers are not specifically involved in gaming-related regulatory functions.

(7) The commission otherwise determines the applicant is ineligible for the license.

(D) The commission shall not refuse to issue a license to an applicant because the applicant was convicted of or pleaded guilty to an offense unless the refusal is in accordance with section 9.79 of the Revised Code.

(E)(1) The commission shall investigate the qualifications of each applicant under this chapter before any license is issued and before any finding with regard to acts or transactions for which commission approval is required is made. The commission shall continue to observe the conduct of all licensees and all other persons having a material involvement directly or indirectly with a casino operator, management company, or holding company to ensure that licenses are not issued to or held by, or that there is not any material involvement with a casino operator, management company, or holding company by, an unqualified, disqualified, or unsuitable person or a person whose operations are conducted in an unsuitable manner or in unsuitable or prohibited places or locations.

(2) The executive director may recommend to the commission that it deny any application, or limit, condition, or restrict, or suspend or revoke, any license or finding, or impose any fine upon any licensee or other person according to this chapter and the rules adopted thereunder.

(3) A license issued under this chapter is a revocable privilege. No licensee has a vested right in or under any license issued under this chapter. The initial determination of the commission to deny, or to limit, condition, or restrict, a license may be appealed under section 2505.03 of the Revised Code.

(F)(1) An institutional investor may be found to be suitable or qualified by the commission under this chapter and the rules adopted under this chapter. An institutional investor shall be presumed suitable or qualified upon submitting documentation sufficient to establish qualifications as an institutional investor and upon certifying all of the following:

(a) The institutional investor owns, holds, or controls securities issued by a licensee or holding, intermediate, or parent company of a licensee or in the ordinary course of business for investment purposes only.

(b) The institutional investor does not exercise influence over the affairs of the issuer of such securities nor over any licensed subsidiary of the issuer of such securities.

(c) The institutional investor does not intend to exercise influence over the affairs of the issuer of such securities, nor over any licensed subsidiary of the issuer of such securities, in the future, and that it agrees to notify the commission in writing within thirty days if such intent changes.

(2) The exercise of voting privileges with regard to securities shall not be deemed to constitute the exercise of influence over the affairs of a licensee.

(3) The commission shall rescind the presumption of suitability for an institutional investor at any time if the institutional investor exercises or intends to exercise influence or control over the affairs of the licensee.

(4) This division shall not be construed to preclude the commission from requesting information from or investigating the suitability or qualifications of an institutional investor if:

(a) The commission becomes aware of facts or information that may result in the institutional investor being found unsuitable or disqualified; or

(b) The commission has any other reason to seek information from the investor to determine whether it qualifies as an institutional investor.

(5) If the commission finds an institutional investor to be unsuitable or unqualified, the commission shall so notify the investor and the casino operator, holding company, management company, or gaming-related vendor licensee in which the investor invested. The commission shall allow the investor and the licensee a reasonable amount of time, as specified by the commission on a case-by-case basis, to cure the conditions that caused the commission to find the investor unsuitable or unqualified. If during the specified period of time the investor or the licensee does not or cannot cure the conditions that caused the commission to find the investor unsuitable or unqualified, the commission may allow the investor or licensee more time to cure the conditions or the commission may begin proceedings to deny, suspend, or revoke the license of the casino operator, holding company, management company, or gaming-related vendor in which the investor invested or to deny any of the same the renewal of any such license.

(6) A private licensee or holding company shall provide the same information to the commission as a public company would provide in a form 13d or form 13g filing to the securities and exchange commission.

(G) Information provided on the application shall be used as a basis for a thorough background investigation of each applicant. A false or incomplete application is cause for denial of a license by the commission. All applicants and licensees shall consent to inspections, searches, and seizures and to the disclosure to the commission and its agents of confidential records, including tax records, held by any federal, state, or local agency, credit bureau, or financial institution and to provide handwriting exemplars, photographs, fingerprints, and information as authorized in this chapter and in rules adopted by the commission.

(H) The commission shall provide a written statement to each applicant for a license under this chapter who is denied the license that describes the reason or reasons for which the applicant was denied the license.

(I) Not later than January 31 in each calendar year, the commission shall provide to the general assembly and the governor a report that, for each type of license issued under this chapter, specifies the number of applications made in the preceding calendar year for each type of such license, the number of applications denied in the preceding calendar year for each type of such license, and the reasons for those denials. The information regarding the reasons for the denials shall specify each reason that resulted in, or that was a factor resulting in, denial for each type of license issued under this chapter and, for each of those reasons, the total number of denials for each such type that involved that reason.

Last updated October 9, 2021 at 5:15 AM

Section 3772.11 | Application for license; contents.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) A person may apply to the commission for a casino operator, management company, or holding company license to conduct casino gaming at a casino facility as provided in this chapter. The application shall be certified as true on forms provided by the commission and shall contain information as prescribed by rule, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(1) The name, business address, business telephone number, social security number, and, where applicable, the federal tax identification number of any applicant;

(2) The identity of every person having a greater than five per cent direct or indirect interest in the applicant casino facility for which the license is sought;

(3) An identification of any business, including the state of incorporation or registration if applicable, in which an applicant, or the spouse or children of an applicant, has an equity interest of more than five per cent;

(4) The name of any casino operator, management company, holding company, and gaming-related vendor in which the applicant has an equity interest of at least five per cent;

(5) If an applicant has ever applied for or has been granted any gaming license or certificate issued by a licensing authority in Ohio or any other jurisdiction that has been denied, restricted, suspended, revoked, or not renewed and a statement describing the facts and circumstances concerning the application, denial, restriction, suspension, revocation, or nonrenewal, including the licensing authority, the date each action was taken, and the reason for each action;

(6) If an applicant has ever filed or had filed against it a civil or administrative action or proceeding in bankruptcy, including the date of filing, the name and location of the court, the case caption, the docket number, and the disposition;

(7) The name and business telephone number of any attorney representing an applicant in matters before the commission;

(8) Information concerning the amount, type of tax, the taxing agency, and times involved, if the applicant has filed or been served with a complaint or notice filed with a public body concerning a delinquency in the payment of or a dispute over a filing concerning the payment of a tax required under federal, state, or local law;

(9) A description of any proposed casino gaming operation and related casino enterprises, including the type of casino facility, location, expected economic benefit to the community, anticipated or actual number of employees, any statement from an applicant regarding compliance with federal and state affirmative action guidelines, projected or actual admissions, projected or actual gross receipts, and scientific market research;

(10) Financial information in the manner and form prescribed by the commission;

(11) If an applicant has directly made a political contribution, loan, donation, or other payment of one hundred dollars or more to a statewide office holder, a member of the general assembly, a local government official elected in a jurisdiction where a casino facility is located, or a ballot issue not more than one year before the date the applicant filed the application and all information relating to the contribution, loan, donation, or other payment;

(12) Any criminal conviction; and

(13) Other information required by the commission under rules adopted by the commission.

(B) Any holding company or management company, its directors, executive officers, members, managers, and any shareholder who holds more than five per cent ownership interest of a holding company or management company shall be required to submit the same information as required by an applicant under this section.

Last updated September 18, 2023 at 2:47 PM

Section 3772.111 | Granting of casino operator license; additional considerations.

• Effective: September 10, 2010
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 519 - 128th General Assembly

In determining whether to grant a casino operator license, the commission shall also consider:

(A) The facilities or proposed facilities for the conduct of casino gaming;

(B) The prospective total revenue to be collected by the state from the conduct of casino gaming;

(C) The extent to which the applicant exceeds or meets other standards adopted by the commission.

Section 3772.112 | Surety bond.

• Effective: September 10, 2010
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 519 - 128th General Assembly

Before a license is issued to a casino operator, the casino operator shall post, and thereafter shall maintain, a surety bond in the amount of one million dollars payable to the state, conditioned on the casino operator complying with Section 6(C) of Article XV, Ohio Constitution, this chapter, and the rules adopted under this chapter. The bond shall be issued by a surety that is licensed to do business in this state, and shall be approved by the commission. The total aggregate liability of the surety on the bond is limited to the amount specified in the bond. The surety shall not cancel the bond unless the surety has given the commission, in the event of nonpayment of premium, ten days' notice of the intention to cancel, and in the event of any other cause, thirty days' notice of the intention to cancel. If the bond is to be canceled, and if the casino operator fails to post and maintain a new surety bond in the specified amount on or before the day of cancellation, the casino operator's license is void.

Section 3772.12 | Gaming-related vendor license.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) A person may apply for a gaming-related vendor license. All applications shall be certified as true.

(B) A person who holds a gaming-related vendor's license is authorized to sell or lease, and to contract to sell or lease, equipment and supplies to any licensee involved in the ownership or management of a casino facility.

(C) Gambling supplies and equipment shall not be distributed unless supplies and equipment conform to standards adopted in rules adopted by the commission.

Last updated September 18, 2023 at 2:49 PM

Section 3772.121 | Qualifications for gaming-related vendor license.

• Effective: September 10, 2010
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 519 - 128th General Assembly

(A) The commission may issue a gaming-related vendor's license under this chapter to an applicant who has:

(1) Applied for the gaming-related vendor's license;

(2) Paid a nonrefundable license fee as described in section 3772.17 of the Revised Code, which shall cover all actual costs generated by each licensee and all background checks;

(3) Submitted two sets of the applicant's fingerprints; and

(4) Been determined by the commission as eligible for a gaming-related vendor's license.

(B) A gaming-related vendor shall furnish to the commission a list of all equipment, devices, and supplies offered for sale or lease in connection with casino games authorized under this chapter.

(C) A gaming-related vendor's equipment, devices, or supplies that are used by a person in an unauthorized casino gaming operation shall be forfeited to the state.

Section 3772.13 | Key employee license.

• Effective: December 29, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) No person may be employed as a key employee of a casino operator, management company, or holding company unless the person is the holder of a valid key employee license issued by the commission.

(B) No person may be employed as a key employee of a gaming-related vendor unless that person is either the holder of a valid key employee license issued by the commission, or the person, at least five business days prior to the first day of employment as a key employee, has filed a notification of employment with the commission and subsequently files a completed application for a key employee license within the first thirty days of employment as a key employee.

(C) Each applicant shall, before the issuance of any key employee license, produce information, documentation, and assurances as are required by this chapter and rules adopted thereunder. In addition, each applicant shall, in writing, authorize the examination of all bank accounts and records as may be deemed necessary by the commission.

(D) To be eligible for a key employee license, the applicant shall be at least twenty-one years of age and shall meet the criteria set forth by rule by the commission.

(E) Each application for a key employee license shall be on a form prescribed by the commission and shall contain all information required by the commission. The applicant shall set forth in the application if the applicant has been issued prior gambling-related licenses; if the applicant has been licensed in any other state under any other name, and, if so, the name under which the license was issued and the applicant's age at the time the license was issued; any criminal conviction the applicant has had; and if a permit or license issued to the applicant in any other state has been suspended, restricted, or revoked, and, if so, the cause and the duration of each action. The applicant also shall complete a cover sheet for the application on which the applicant shall disclose the applicant's name, the business address of the casino operator, management company, holding company, or gaming-related vendor employing the applicant, the business address and telephone number of such employer, and the county, state, and country in which the applicant's residence is located.

(F) Each applicant shall submit with each application, on a form provided by the commission, two sets of fingerprints. The commission shall charge each applicant an application fee set by the commission to cover all actual costs generated by each licensee and all background checks under this section and section 3772.07 of the Revised Code.

(G)(1) The casino operator, management company, or holding company by whom a person is employed as a key employee shall terminate the person's employment in any capacity requiring a license under this chapter and shall not in any manner permit the person to exercise a significant influence over the operation of a casino facility if:

(a) The person does not apply for and receive a key employee license within three months of being issued a provisional license, as established under commission rule.

(b) The person's application for a key employee license is denied by the commission.

(c) The person's key employee license is revoked by the commission.

The commission shall notify the casino operator, management company, or holding company who employs such a person by certified mail, personal service, common carrier service utilizing any form of delivery requiring a signed receipt or by an electronic means that provides evidence of delivery, of any such finding, denial, or revocation.

(2) A casino operator, management company, or holding company shall not pay to a person whose employment is terminated under division (G)(1) of this section, any remuneration for any services performed in any capacity in which the person is required to be licensed, except for amounts due for services rendered before notice was received under that division. A contract or other agreement for personal services or for the conduct of any casino gaming at a casino facility between a casino operator, management company, or holding company and a person whose employment is terminated under division (G)(1) of this section may be terminated by the casino operator, management company, or holding company without further liability on the part of the casino operator, management company, or holding company. Any such contract or other agreement is deemed to include a term authorizing its termination without further liability on the part of the casino operator, management company, or holding company upon receiving notice under division (G)(1) of this section. That a contract or other agreement does not expressly include such a term is not a defense in any action brought to terminate the contract or other agreement, and is not grounds for relief in any action brought questioning termination of the contract or other agreement.

(3) A casino operator, management company, or holding company, without having obtained the prior approval of the commission, shall not enter into any contract or other agreement with a person who has been found unsuitable, who has been denied a license, or whose license has been revoked under division (G)(1) of this section, or with any business enterprise under the control of such a person, after the date on which the casino operator, management company, or holding company receives notice under that division.

(H) Notwithstanding the requirements for a license under this section, the commission shall issue a key employee license in accordance with Chapter 4796. of the Revised Code to an applicant if either of the following applies:

(1) The applicant holds a license in another state.

(2) The applicant has satisfactory work experience, a government certification, or a private certification as described in that chapter as a key employee of a casino operator, management company, or holding company in a state that does not issue that license.

Last updated December 29, 2023 at 5:06 AM

Section 3772.131 | Casino gaming employee license.

• Effective: December 29, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) All casino gaming employees are required to have a casino gaming employee license. "Casino gaming employee" means the following and their supervisors:

(1) Individuals involved in operating a casino gaming pit, including dealers, shills, clerks, hosts, and junket representatives;

(2) Individuals involved in handling money, including cashiers, change persons, count teams, and coin wrappers;

(3) Individuals involved in operating casino games;

(4) Individuals involved in operating and maintaining slot machines, including mechanics, floor persons, and change and payoff persons;

(5) Individuals involved in security, including guards and game observers;

(6) Individuals with duties similar to those described in divisions (A)(1) to (5) of this section or other persons as the commission determines. "Casino gaming employee" does not include an individual whose duties are related solely to nongaming activities such as entertainment, hotel operation, maintenance, or preparing or serving food and beverages.

(B) The commission may issue a casino gaming employee license to an applicant after it has determined that the applicant is eligible for a license under rules adopted by the commission and paid any applicable fee. All applications shall be certified as true.

(C) To be eligible for a casino gaming employee license, an applicant shall be at least twenty-one years of age.

(D) Each application for a casino gaming employee license shall be on a form prescribed by the commission and shall contain all information required by the commission. The applicant shall set forth in the application if the applicant has been issued prior gambling-related licenses; if the applicant has been licensed in any other state under any other name, and, if so, the name under which the license was issued and the applicant's age at the time the license was issued; any criminal conviction the applicant has had; and if a permit or license issued to the applicant in any other state has been suspended, restricted, or revoked, and, if so, the cause and the duration of each action.

(E) Each applicant shall submit with each application, on a form provided by the commission, two sets of the applicant's fingerprints. The commission shall charge each applicant an application fee to cover all actual costs generated by each licensee and all background checks.

(F) Notwithstanding the requirements for a license under this section, the commission shall issue a casino gaming employee license in accordance with Chapter 4796. of the Revised Code to an applicant if either of the following applies:

(1) The applicant holds a license in another state.

(2) The applicant has satisfactory work experience, a government certification, or a private certification as described in that chapter as a casino gaming employee in a state that does not issue that license.

Last updated December 29, 2023 at 5:07 AM

Section 3772.15 | Renewal of license.

• Effective: October 17, 2011
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 277 - 129th General Assembly

(A) Unless a license issued under this chapter is suspended, expires, or is revoked, the license shall be renewed for three years, as determined by commission rule, after a determination by the commission that the licensee is in compliance with this chapter and rules authorized by this chapter and after the licensee pays a fee. The commission may assess the license renewal applicant a reasonable fee in the amount necessary to cover the commission's costs associated with the review of the license renewal application.

(B) A licensee shall undergo a complete investigation at least every three years, as determined by commission rule, to determine that the licensee remains in compliance with this chapter.

(C) Notwithstanding division (B) of this section, the commission may investigate a licensee at any time the commission determines it is necessary to ensure that the licensee remains in compliance with this section.

(D) The holder of a license shall bear the cost of an investigation, except key employees and casino gaming employees who are employed by a casino operator, in which case the casino operator shall pay the investigation cost.

Section 3772.16 | Confidential information.

• Effective: June 11, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 386 - 129th General Assembly

(A) Any information concerning the following submitted, collected, or gathered as part of an application to the commission for a license under this chapter is confidential and not subject to disclosure by any state agency or political subdivision as a record under section 149.43 of the Revised Code:

(1) A minor child of an applicant;

(2) The social security number, passport number, or federal tax identification number of an applicant or the spouse of an applicant;

(3) The home address and telephone number of an applicant or the spouse or dependent of an applicant;

(4) An applicant's birth certificate;

(5) The driver's license number of an applicant or the applicant's spouse;

(6) The name or address of a previous spouse of the applicant;

(7) The date of birth of the applicant and the spouse of an applicant;

(8) The place of birth of the applicant and the spouse of an applicant;

(9) The personal financial information and records of an applicant or of an employee or the spouse or dependent of an applicant, including tax returns and information, and records of criminal proceedings;

(10) Any information concerning a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking;

(11) The electronic mail address of the spouse or family member of the applicant;

(12) Any trade secret, medical records, and patents or exclusive licenses;

(13) Security information, including risk prevention plans, detection and countermeasures, location of count rooms or other money storage areas, emergency management plans, security and surveillance plans, equipment and usage protocols, and theft and fraud prevention plans and countermeasures;

(14) Information provided in a multijurisdictional personal history disclosure form, including the Ohio supplement, exhibits, attachments, and updates.

(B) Notwithstanding any other law, upon written request from a person, the commission shall provide the following information to the person except as provided in this chapter:

(1) The information provided under this chapter concerning a licensee or an applicant;

(2) The amount of the wagering tax and admission tax paid daily to the state by a licensed applicant or an operating agent; and

(3) A copy of a letter providing the reasons for the denial of an applicant's license or an operating agent's contract and a copy of a letter providing the reasons for the commission's refusal to allow an applicant to withdraw the applicant's application, but with confidential information redacted if that information is the reason for the denial or refusal to withdraw.

(C) The individual's name, the individual's place of employment, the individual's job title, and the individual's gaming experience that is provided for an individual who holds, held, or has applied for a license under this chapter is not confidential. The reason for denial or revocation of a license or for disciplinary action against the individual and information submitted by the individual for a felony waiver request is not confidential. The cover sheet completed by an applicant for a key employee license under section 3772.13 of the Revised Code is not confidential.

(D) An individual who holds, held, or has applied for a license under this chapter may waive the confidentiality requirements of division (A) of this section.

(E) Confidential information received by the commission from another jurisdiction relating to a person who holds, held, or has applied for a license under this chapter is confidential and not subject to disclosure as a public record under section 149.43 of the Revised Code. The commission may share the information referenced in this division with, or disclose the information to, the inspector general, any appropriate prosecuting authority, any law enforcement agency, or any other appropriate governmental or licensing agency, if the agency that receives the information complies with the same requirements regarding confidentiality as those with which the commission must comply.

Section 3772.17 | Fees.

• Effective: September 29, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) The upfront license fee to obtain a license as a casino operator shall be fifty million dollars per casino facility and shall be paid upon each casino operator's filing of its casino operator license application with the commission. The upfront license fee, once paid to the commission, shall be deposited into the economic development programs fund, which is created in the state treasury.

(B) New casino operator, management company, and holding company license and renewal license fees shall be set by rule. If an applicant for a license as a management company or holding company is related through a joint venture or controlled by or under common control with another applicant for a license as a casino operator, management company, or holding company for the same casino facility and the applicant for a license as a management company or holding company was reviewed for suitability as part of the investigation of the casino operator, only one license fee shall be assessed against both applicants for that casino facility.

(C) The fee to obtain an application for a casino operator, management company, or holding company license shall be one million five hundred thousand dollars per application. The application fee for a casino operator, management company, or holding company license may be increased to the extent that the actual review and investigation costs relating to an applicant exceed the application fee set forth in this division. If an applicant for a license as a management company or holding company is related through a joint venture or controlled by or under common control with another applicant for a license as a casino operator, management company, or holding company for the same casino facility, with the exception of actual costs of the review and investigation of the additional applicant, only one application fee shall be required of such applicants for that casino facility. The application fee shall be deposited into the casino control commission fund. The application fee is nonrefundable.

(D) The license fees for a gaming-related vendor shall be set by rule. Additionally, the commission may assess an applicant a reasonable fee in the amount necessary to process a gaming-related vendor license application.

(E) The license fees for a key employee shall be set by rule. Additionally, the commission may assess an applicant a reasonable fee in the amount necessary to process a key employee license application. If the license is being sought at the request of a casino operator, such fees shall be paid by the casino operator.

(F) The license fees for a casino gaming employee shall be set by rule. If the license is being sought at the request of a casino operator, the fee shall be paid by the casino operator.

Section 3772.18 | Information to be provided to commission.

• Effective: September 10, 2010
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 519 - 128th General Assembly

(A) Each casino operator, management company, and holding company involved in the application and ownership or management of a casino facility shall provide to the commission as applicable:

(1) An annual balance sheet;

(2) An annual income statement;

(3) An annual audited financial statement;

(4) A list of the stockholders or other persons having at least a five per cent ownership interest in the casino operator, management company, or holding company and any other information the commission considers necessary for the effective administration of this chapter;

(5) Notification of any material changes to the applicant's or licensee's stockholders must be provided to the commission within sixty days of the change. Notification of any refinancing and debt issuance shall be in accordance with rules adopted by the commission under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code; and

(6) An applicant's compulsive and problem gambling plan. A casino operator shall submit an annual summary of its compulsive and problem gambling plan to the commission. The plan at a minimum shall contain the following elements:

(a) The goals of the plan and procedures and timetables to implement the plan;

(b) The identification of the individual who will be responsible for the implementation and maintenance of the plan;

(c) Policies and procedures including the following:

(i) The commitment of the casino operator to train appropriate employees;

(ii) The duties and responsibilities of the employees designated to implement or participate in the plan;

(iii) The responsibility of patrons with respect to responsible gambling;

(iv) Procedures for providing information to individuals regarding community, public and private treatment services, gamblers anonymous programs, and similar treatment or addiction therapy programs designed to prevent, treat, or monitor compulsive and problem gamblers and to counsel family members;

(v) The provision of printed material to educate patrons about compulsive and problem gambling and to inform them about treatment services available to compulsive and problem gamblers and their families;

(vi) The employee training program;

(vii) Procedures to prevent underage gambling;

(viii) Procedures to prevent intoxicated patrons from gambling;

(ix) The plan for posting signs within the casino facility containing gambling treatment information.

(B) Each casino operator shall submit quarterly updates and an annual report to the commission of its adherence to the plans and goals submitted under division (A) of this section.

(C) Preference shall be given to each of the following to train employees for casino-related employment opportunities:

(1) State institutions of higher education as defined in section 3345.011 of the Revised Code;

(2) Private career schools holding program authorizations issued by the state board of career colleges and schools under division (C) of section 3332.05 of the Revised Code;

(3) Private institutions exempt from regulation under Chapter 3332. of the Revised Code as prescribed in section 3333.046 of the Revised Code.

Section 3772.19 | Limitations on majority interest holders.

• Effective: October 17, 2019
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 166 - 133rd General Assembly

No casino operator shall hold a majority ownership interest in more than two casino operator licenses or casino facilities at any one time. No person shall be a management company for casino operators licensed to operate more than two casino facilities in this state at any one time.

Section 3772.20 | Slot machines; minimum and maximum wagers.

• Effective: September 10, 2010
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 519 - 128th General Assembly

(A) A maximum of five thousand slot machines may be operated at a casino facility. Each casino operator for each casino facility shall determine the total number of slot machines in their facility, up to a maximum of five thousand slot machines that may be operated at such casino facility. There shall be no limit on the number of table games allowed at each casino facility.

(B) Any slot machine game or table game currently authorized in, and any future slot machine or table game authorized in, the states of Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia may be conducted at casino facilities in this state at the discretion of a licensed casino operator but only after being approved, upon application by a licensed casino operator, by the commission.

(C) Minimum and maximum wagers on casino gaming shall be determined by casino operators, subject to the commission's approval.

(D) No slot machine shall be set to pay out less than the theoretical payout percentage, which shall be not less than eighty-five per cent, as specifically approved by the commission. The commission shall adopt rules that define the theoretical payout percentage of a slot machine based on the total value of the jackpots expected to be paid by a slot machine divided by the total value of slot machine wagers expected to be made on that slot machine during the same portion of the game cycle. In determining the theoretical payout percentage, the commission may consider market conditions, the payout percentage in other states, the impact on gaming within the market, or any other factor the commission deems relevant. The commission may adjust the payout percentage at any time.

Section 3772.21 | Purchase or lease of equipment and supplies.

• Effective: September 10, 2010
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 519 - 128th General Assembly

(A) Casino gaming equipment and supplies customarily used in conducting casino gaming shall be purchased or leased only from gaming-related vendors licensed under this chapter. A management company owning casino gaming devices, supplies, and equipment shall be licensed as a gaming-related vendor under this chapter.

(B) Annually, a gaming-related vendor shall furnish to the commission a list of all equipment, devices, and supplies offered for sale or lease in connection with casino gaming authorized under this chapter.

(C) A gaming-related vendor shall keep books and records for the furnishing of equipment, devices, and supplies to gaming operations separate from books and records of any other business operated by the gaming-related vendor. A gaming-related vendor shall file a quarterly return with the commission listing all sales and leases. A gaming-related vendor shall permanently affix the gaming-related vendor's name to all of the gaming-related vendor's equipment, devices, and supplies for casino gaming operations.

(D) A gaming-related vendor's equipment, devices, or supplies that are used by a person in an unauthorized casino gaming operation shall be forfeited to the commission.

Section 3772.22 | Cashless wagering system.

• Effective: September 10, 2010
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 519 - 128th General Assembly

(A) All casino facility operations shall use a cashless wagering system whereby all wagerers' money is converted to chips, tokens, tickets, electronic cards, or other instruments of value at the request of the wagerer that may only be used for wagering at a casino facility. Wagering shall not be conducted with money or other negotiable currency.

(B) Wagers may be received only from a person present at a casino facility. A wagerer present at a casino facility shall not place or attempt to place a wager on behalf of an individual who is not present at the casino facility.

Section 3772.23 | Purchase of tokens, chips, or electronic cards; promotional gaming credits; prohibited licenses.

• Effective: October 17, 2011
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 277 - 129th General Assembly

(A) All tokens, chips, or electronic cards that are used to make wagers shall be purchased from the casino operator or management company while at a casino facility that has been approved by the commission. Chips, tokens, tickets, electronic cards, or similar objects may be used while at the casino facility only for the purpose of making wagers on casino games.

(B) Casino operators and management companies may provide promotional gaming credits to their patrons. Promotional gaming credits shall be subject to oversight by the commission.

(C) Casino operators and management companies shall not do any of the following:

(1) Obtain a license to operate a check-cashing business under sections 1315.01 to 1315.30 of the Revised Code;

(2) Obtain a license to provide loans under sections 1321.01 to 1321.19 of the Revised Code;

(3) Obtain a license to provide loans under sections 1321.35 to 1321.48 of the Revised Code.

Section 3772.24 | Employees under age twenty-one; notification of operating hours.

• Effective: September 29, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly

(A) An employee of a casino facility who is between eighteen and twenty-one years of age may be present in the area of a casino facility where casino gaming is being conducted, as long as the employee's duties are related solely to nongaming activities. An individual who is less than twenty-one years of age may enter a designated area of a casino facility where casino gaming is being conducted, as established by the commission, to pass to another area where casino gaming is not being conducted, but only if the individual is personally escorted by licensed casino personnel, as approved by the commission, who at all times remain in close proximity to the individual. An individual who is less than twenty-one years of age shall not make a wager under this chapter.

(B) Casino operators shall notify the commission of the days and hours during which casino gaming will be conducted.

Section 3772.25 | Activities not subject to chapter.

• Effective: September 10, 2010
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 519 - 128th General Assembly

The following are not subject to, or limited by, the requirements of this chapter or Section 6(C) of Article XV, Ohio Constitution:

(A) Charitable gaming authorized by Chapter 2915. of the Revised Code;

(B) Charitable bingo authorized by Section 6 of Article XV, Ohio Constitution, and as authorized by Chapter 2915. of the Revised Code;

(C) Lottery games as authorized by Section 6 of Article XV, Ohio Constitution; and

(D) Pari-mutuel wagering authorized by Chapter 3769. of the Revised Code.

Section 3772.26 | Applicability of health and building codes.

• Effective: September 10, 2010
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 519 - 128th General Assembly

(A) Each of the four casino facilities shall be subject to all applicable state laws and local ordinances related to health and building codes, or any related requirements and provisions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no local zoning, land use laws, subdivision regulations or similar provisions shall prohibit the development or operation of the four casino facilities, or casino gaming set forth herein, provided that no casino facility shall be located in a district zoned exclusively residential as of January 1, 2009.

(B) No municipal corporation or other political subdivision in which a casino facility is located shall be required to provide or improve infrastructure, appropriate property, or otherwise take any affirmative legislative or administrative action to assist development or operation of a casino facility, regardless of the source of funding but if such action is essential to the development or operation of a casino facility, the municipal corporation or other political subdivision may charge the casino operator for any costs incurred for such action.

Section 3772.27 | Initial investment.

• Effective: October 17, 2011
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 277 - 129th General Assembly

(A) Each initial licensed casino operator of each of the four casino facilities shall make an initial investment of at least two hundred fifty million dollars for the development of each casino facility.

(B) If a casino operator has made an initial investment of at least one hundred twenty-five million dollars at the time a license is issued, the casino operator shall spend the remainder of the minimum two-hundred-fifty-million-dollar total required initial investment within thirty-six months after the issuance of that license.

(C) A licensed casino operator may open a casino facility in phases and may have gaming areas in one or more buildings, facilities, rooms, or areas that together constitute a single casino facility within the boundaries of one or more of the properties described in Section 6(C)(9) of Article XV, Ohio Constitution, and, if located on more than one of those properties, is connected by one or more of the following:

(1) Property owned by the casino operator or any of its affiliates;

(2) Property leased by the casino operator or any of its affiliates;

(3) Access over property under the right of the casino operator or any of its affiliates, whether it be by skyways, walkways, roadways, easements, or rights of way;

(4) Nongaming amenities.

Section 3772.29 | Exempt shipments.

• Effective: September 10, 2010
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 519 - 128th General Assembly

All shipments of gaming supplies, devices, and equipment, including slot machines, into this state are exempt from section (2) of "An Act to Prohibit Transportation of Gambling Devices in Interstate and Foreign Commerce," 64 Stat. 1134, 15 U.S.C. 1171-1177.

Section 3772.30 | Enforcement of chapter; authority of attorney general.

• Effective: September 10, 2010
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 519 - 128th General Assembly

(A) If any person violates this chapter or a rule adopted thereunder, the attorney general has a cause of action to restrain the violation. Such an action is a civil action, governed by the Rules of Civil Procedure. Upon receiving a request from the commission or the executive director, the attorney general shall commence and prosecute such an action to completion. The court shall give priority to such an action over all other civil actions. Such an action does not preclude an administrative or criminal proceeding on the same facts.

(B) The attorney general may enter into agreements with any state or local law enforcement agency to carry out its duties.

(C) A sheriff, chief of police, and prosecuting attorney shall furnish to the commission, on prescribed forms, all information obtained during the course of any substantial investigation or prosecution if it appears a violation of this chapter has occurred. Any such information is not a public record, as defined in section 149.43 of the Revised Code, until such information would otherwise become a public record.

Section 3772.31 | Central system for operation and reporting; testing of equipment.

• Effective: October 17, 2011
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 277 - 129th General Assembly

(A) The commission, by and through the executive director of the commission and as required under section 125.05 of the Revised Code, may enter into contracts necessary to ensure the proper operation and reporting of all casino gaming authorized under this chapter. The commission shall not require use of a central system by a casino operator if the casino operator is in compliance with this chapter. If the commission determines, after written notice to the casino operator and a hearing under section 3772.04 of the Revised Code, that a casino operator is not in compliance with this chapter, the commission may determine it is necessary to require the casino operator to install and implement a central system under such conditions as the commission may require. Before any such hearing, the commission shall provide the casino operator with written notice that the casino operator is not in compliance with a specific requirement of this chapter, describe the requirement, and provide the casino operator at least thirty days to cure the noncompliance or, if the cure cannot be reasonably rectified within thirty days, require the casino operator to demonstrate to the commission's satisfaction that the casino operator is diligently pursuing the required cure. The system shall be operated by or under the commission's control. If the commission determines that a central system is necessary and adopts rules authorizing a central system, casino operators shall be responsible for the costs of the central system as it relates to casino facilities.

(B) The commission shall certify independent testing laboratories to scientifically test and technically evaluate all slot machines, mechanical, electromechanical, or electronic table games, slot accounting systems, and other electronic gaming equipment for compliance with this chapter. The certified independent testing laboratories shall be accredited by a national accreditation body. The commission shall certify an independent testing laboratory if it is competent and qualified to scientifically test and evaluate electronic gaming equipment for compliance with this chapter and to otherwise perform the functions assigned to an independent testing laboratory under this chapter. An independent testing laboratory shall not be owned or controlled by, or have any interest in, a gaming-related vendor of electronic gaming equipment. The commission shall prepare a list of certified independent testing laboratories from which independent testing laboratories shall be chosen for all purposes under this chapter.

Section 3772.32 | Administration by conservator.

• Effective: September 10, 2010
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 519 - 128th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "conservator" means a person appointed by a court of common pleas as a fiduciary to temporarily manage and control a casino facility.

(B) The commission shall adopt rules under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code relating to the administration of a casino facility by a conservator.

(C) The commission may petition the court of common pleas of the county in which the casino facility is located for appointment by the court of a conservator to manage and control the casino facility if any of the following occurs:

(1) The commission revokes the casino operator's license.

(2) The commission declines to renew the casino operator's license.

(3) The commission suspends a casino operator's license for more than one hundred twenty days.

(4) A proposed buyer is denied a casino operator's license, and the licensed casino operator is unable or unwilling to retain ownership or control of the casino facility.

(5) A licensed casino operator agrees in writing to relinquish control of a casino facility to a conservator.

(6) A natural disaster or bankruptcy halts operations at a casino facility.

This division does not apply if the casino facility for which a casino license has been issued has not been in operation and open to the public.

(D)(1) The petition shall contain the names of two or more persons who the commission believes are suitable and qualified to manage and control the casino facility and are available for appointment as a conservator.

(2) Upon receipt of the petition, the court shall appoint as conservator of the casino facility a person who is named in the petition. The court shall immediately notify the commission of the appointment. Upon receipt of notice from the court, the commission shall immediately notify the casino operator and the conservator.

(3) The court that appoints the conservator shall set reasonable compensation, out of the revenue of the casino facility, for the services, costs, and expenses of the conservator and for any other persons whom the conservator may engage to aid the conservator in performing the conservator's duties.

(E) A conservator is subject to Chapter 3772. of the Revised Code and any rules adopted under that chapter as if the conservator were a licensed casino operator.

(F) A conservator shall be deemed to be a licensed casino operator and may perform all acts that the conservator is required or permitted to perform without approval or other action.

(G) The conservator shall take immediately into possession all property of the casino facility, including its money, accounts, books, records, and evidences of debts owed to the casino operator, and shall continue the business of the casino facility.

(H) A conservator shall file with the commission reports on the administration of the casino facility in such form and at such intervals as the commission may prescribe.

(I)(1) If at any time the court finds that a conservator is not qualified or available to serve as conservator, the court shall request from the commission the names of two or more persons who the commission believes are suitable and qualified to manage and control a casino facility and are available to serve as a conservator.

(2) The commission may, at any time after the appointment of a conservator, petition the court for the removal of the conservator and the appointment of a new conservator or for the termination of the conservator.

(J) A conservator shall, before assuming the conservator's duties, execute and file a bond for the faithful performance of the conservator's duties payable to the commission with such surety or sureties and in such form as the commission approves and in such amount as the commission prescribes.

(K) The commission shall require that the former casino operator purchase liability insurance, in an amount determined by the commission, to protect a conservator from liability for any acts or omissions of the conservator occurring during the duration of the conservatorship that are reasonably related to, and within the scope of, the conservator's duties.

(L)(1) The former licensed casino operator has one hundred eighty days after the date on which the conservator is appointed to sell the casino facility to another person who satisfies the requirements of this chapter for obtaining a casino operator's license and is approved by the commission.

(2) If the person is unable to sell the casino facility in the time required by division (L)(1) of this section, the conservator may take any action necessary to sell the casino facility to another person who satisfies the requirements of this chapter for obtaining a casino operator's license and is approved by the commission.

(M) The commission shall direct the court of common pleas to discontinue a conservatorship when any of the following occurs:

(1) The commission determines that the cause for which the conservatorship was instituted no longer exists.

(2) The former casino operator or the conservator has with the approval of the commission, consummated the sale, assignment, conveyance, or other disposition of the casino facility.

(N) Upon the discontinuation of the conservatorship and with the approval of the commission, the conservator shall take steps as may be necessary to affect an orderly transfer of the property of the former casino operator.

Section 3772.33 | Construction of sections 3772.091, 3772.17, and 3772.33.

• Effective: September 10, 2010
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 519 - 128th General Assembly

The provisions of sections 3772.091, 3772.17, and 3772.33 of the Revised Code, and their applications, constitute a unity and are interdependent and interrelated. If any provision of those sections, or if any application of any provision of those sections, is held invalid by a final nonappealable order or judgment, then all provisions of law contained in this chapter and their applications in their entirety also are invalid.

Section 3772.34 | Casino operator settlement fund.

• Effective: October 17, 2011
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 277 - 129th General Assembly

There is hereby created in the state treasury the casino operator settlement fund. The fund shall receive any money paid to the state by the operators of casino facilities in excess of any licenses or fees provided by this chapter or by Section 6(C) of Article XV, Ohio Constitution, and in excess of any taxes as provided by Title LVII of the Revised Code. Moneys in the fund may be used for activities related to workforce development, economic development, job creation, training, education, food banks, and expenses.

Section 3772.35 | Legal actions; jurisdiction.

• Effective: June 11, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 386 - 129th General Assembly

(A) Any action asserting that this chapter, any portion of this chapter, or any rule adopted under this chapter violates any provision of the Ohio Constitution shall be brought in the court of common pleas of Franklin county within ninety days after the effective date of the enactment of this section by Sub. H.B. 386 of the 129th general assembly or within ninety days after the effective date of any rule, as applicable.

(B) Any claim asserting that any action taken by the commission under this chapter violates any provision of the Ohio Constitution or any provision of the Revised Code shall be brought in the court of common pleas of Franklin county within sixty days after the action is taken.

(C) Divisions (A) and (B) of this section do not apply to any claim within the original jurisdiction of the supreme court or a court of appeals under Article IV of the Ohio Constitution.

(D) The court of common pleas of Franklin county shall give any claim filed under division (A) or (B) of this section priority over all other civil cases before the court, irrespective of position on the court's calendar, and shall make a determination on the claim expeditiously. A court of appeals shall give any appeal from a final order issued in a case brought under division (A) or (B) of this section priority over all other civil cases before the court, irrespective of position on the court's calendar, and shall make a determination on the appeal expeditiously.

Section 3772.36 | Casino control commission enforcement fund.

• Effective: September 29, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly

(A) There is hereby created in the state treasury the casino control commission enforcement fund. All moneys that are derived from any fines, mandatory fines, or forfeited bail to which the commission may be entitled under this chapter and all moneys that are derived from forfeitures of property to which the commission may be entitled under this chapter or Chapter 2981. of the Revised Code, any other provision of the Revised Code, or federal law shall be deposited into the fund. Subject to division (B) of this section and divisions (B), (C), and (D) of section 2981.13 of the Revised Code, the moneys in the fund shall be used solely to subsidize the commission's division of enforcement and its efforts to ensure the integrity of casino gaming.

(B) Notwithstanding any contrary provision in the Revised Code, moneys that are derived from forfeitures of property under federal law and that are deposited into the casino control commission enforcement fund in accordance with division (A) of this section shall be used and accounted for in accordance with the applicable federal law, and the commission otherwise shall comply with federal law in connection with that money.

Section 3772.37 | Withholding debts to state or political subdivision from winnings.

• Effective: September 30, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly

(A) Pursuant to section 131.02 of the Revised Code, the attorney general shall develop and implement a real time data match program and make it available to each casino operator and management company to identify patrons who owe amounts to the state or a political subdivision.

(B)(1) Before disbursing any casino winnings to a patron that meet or exceed the reportable winnings amount set by 26 U.S.C. 6041, a casino operator or management company shall consult the data match program to determine whether the patron owes any amounts to the state or a political subdivision. If the data match program indicates that the patron owes any amounts to the state or a political subdivision, the casino operator or management company shall withhold from the patron's winnings an amount sufficient to satisfy those amounts, up to the amount of the winnings.

(2) If the data match program described in section 3123.90 of the Revised Code indicates that the patron also is in default under a support order, the casino operator or management company shall transmit to the department of job and family services an amount sufficient to satisfy any past due support owed by the patron, up to the amount of the winnings, before transmitting any remaining amount to the attorney general under division (C) of this section.

(C)(1) Not later than seven days after withholding an amount under division (B) of this section, the casino operator or management company shall transmit to the attorney general any amount withheld and not already disbursed to the department of job and family services under section 3123.90 of the Revised Code as payment on the amount owed.

(2) If the patron owes more than one amount to the state or a political subdivision as identified by the data match program described in this section, the amount owed to the state shall be satisfied first, except that any amounts owed under section 5739.33 and division (G) of section 5747.07 of the Revised Code shall have first priority.

(D) Except as otherwise provided in section 131.021 of the Revised Code, this section applies only to amounts owed that have become final.

(E) The attorney general, in consultation with the commission, may adopt rules under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code as necessary to implement this section.

Last updated September 9, 2021 at 1:13 PM

Section 3772.99 | Enforcement of chapter.

• Effective: September 29, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 32, House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) The commission shall levy and collect penalties for noncriminal violations of this chapter. Noncriminal violations include using the term "casino" in any advertisement in regard to a facility operating video lottery terminals, as defined in section 3770.21 of the Revised Code, in this state. Moneys collected from such penalty levies shall be credited to the general revenue fund.

(B) If a licensed casino operator, management company, holding company, gaming-related vendor, or key employee violates this chapter or engages in a fraudulent act, the commission may suspend or revoke the license and may do either or both of the following:

(1) Suspend, revoke, or restrict the casino gaming operations of a casino operator;

(2) Require the removal of a management company, key employee, or discontinuance of services from a gaming-related vendor.

(C) The commission shall impose civil penalties against a person who violates this chapter under the penalties adopted by commission rule.

(D) A person who purposely or knowingly does any of the following commits a misdemeanor of the first degree on the first offense and a felony of the fifth degree for a subsequent offense:

(1) Makes a false statement on an application submitted under this chapter;

(2) Permits a person less than twenty-one years of age to make a wager at a casino facility;

(3) Aids, induces, or causes a person less than twenty-one years of age who is not an employee of the casino gaming operation to enter or attempt to enter a casino facility;

(4) Enters or attempts to enter a casino facility while under twenty-one years of age, unless the person enters a designated area as described in section 3772.24 of the Revised Code;

(5) Is a casino operator or employee and participates in casino gaming at the casino facility at which the casino operator or employee has an interest or is employed or at an affiliated casino facility in this state other than as part of operation or employment.

(E) A person who purposely or knowingly does any of the following commits a felony of the fifth degree on a first offense and a felony of the fourth degree for a subsequent offense. If the person is a licensee under this chapter, the commission shall revoke the person's license after the first offense.

(1) Uses or possesses with the intent to use a device to assist in projecting the outcome of the casino game, keeping track of the cards played, analyzing the probability of the occurrence of an event relating to the casino game, or analyzing the strategy for playing or betting to be used in the casino game, except as permitted by the commission;

(2) Cheats at a casino game;

(3) Manufactures, sells, or distributes any cards, chips, dice, game, or device that is intended to be used to violate this chapter;

(4) Alters or misrepresents the outcome of a casino game on which wagers have been made after the outcome is made sure but before the outcome is revealed to the players;

(5) Places, increases, or decreases a wager on the outcome of a casino game after acquiring knowledge that is not available to all players and concerns the outcome of the casino game that is the subject of the wager;

(6) Aids a person in acquiring the knowledge described in division (E)(5) of this section for the purpose of placing, increasing, or decreasing a wager contingent on the outcome of a casino game;

(7) Claims, collects, takes, or attempts to claim, collect, or take money or anything of value in or from a casino game with the intent to defraud or without having made a wager contingent on winning a casino game;

(8) Claims, collects, or takes an amount of money or thing of value of greater value than the amount won in a casino game;

(9) Uses or possesses counterfeit chips, tokens, or cashless wagering instruments in or for use in a casino game;

(10) Possesses a key or device designed for opening, entering, or affecting the operation of a casino game, drop box, or an electronic or a mechanical device connected with the casino game or removing coins, tokens, chips, or other contents of a casino game. This division does not apply to a casino operator, management company, or gaming-related vendor or their agents and employees in the course of agency or employment.

(11) Possesses materials used to manufacture a device intended to be used in a manner that violates this chapter;

(12) Operates a casino gaming operation in which wagering is conducted or is to be conducted in a manner other than the manner required under this chapter or a skill-based amusement machine operation in a manner other than the manner required under Chapter 2915. of the Revised Code.

(F) The possession of more than one of the devices described in division (E)(9), (10), or (11) of this section creates a rebuttable presumption that the possessor intended to use the devices for cheating.

(G) A person who purposely or knowingly does any of the following commits a felony of the third degree. If the person is a licensee under this chapter, the commission shall revoke the person's license after the first offense. A public servant or party official who is convicted under this division is forever disqualified from holding any public office, employment, or position of trust in this state.

(1) Offers, promises, or gives anything of value or benefit to a person who is connected with the casino operator, management company, holding company, or gaming-related vendor, including their officers and employees, under an agreement to influence or with the intent to influence the actions of the person to whom the offer, promise, or gift was made in order to affect or attempt to affect the outcome of a casino game or an official action of a commission member, agent, or employee;

(2) Solicits, accepts, or receives a promise of anything of value or benefit while the person is connected with a casino, including an officer or employee of a casino operator, management company, or gaming-related vendor, under an agreement to influence or with the intent to influence the actions of the person to affect or attempt to affect the outcome of a casino game or an official action of a commission member, agent, or employee;

(H) A person who knowingly or intentionally does any of the following while participating in casino gaming or otherwise transacting with a casino facility as permitted by Chapter 3772. of the Revised Code commits a felony of the fifth degree on a first offense and a felony of the fourth degree for a subsequent offense:

(1) Causes or attempts to cause a casino facility to fail to file a report required under 31 U.S.C. 5313(a) or 5325 or any regulation prescribed thereunder or section 1315.53 of the Revised Code, or to fail to file a report or maintain a record required by an order issued under section 21 of the "Federal Deposit Insurance Act" or section 123 of Pub. L. No. 91-508;

(2) Causes or attempts to cause a casino facility to file a report required under 31 U.S.C. 5313(a) or 5325 or any regulation prescribed thereunder or section 1315.53 of the Revised Code, to file a report or to maintain a record required by any order issued under 31 U.S.C. 5326, or to maintain a record required under any regulation prescribed under section 21 of the "Federal Deposit Insurance Act" or section 123 of Pub. L. No. 91-508 that contains a material omission or misstatement of fact;

(3) With one or more casino facilities, structures a transaction, is complicit in structuring a transaction, attempts to structure a transaction, or is complicit in an attempt to structure a transaction.

(I) A person who is convicted of a felony described in this chapter may be barred for life from entering a casino facility by the commission.

(J) As used in division (H) of this section:

(1) To be "complicit" means to engage in any conduct of a type described in divisions (A)(1) to (4) of section 2923.03 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Structure a transaction" has the same meaning as in section 1315.51 of the Revised Code.

(K) Premises used or occupied in violation of division (E)(12) of this section constitute a nuisance subject to abatement under Chapter 3767. of the Revised Code.

The Legislative Service Commission presents the text of this section as a composite of the section as amended by multiple acts of the General Assembly. This presentation recognizes the principle stated in R.C. 1.52(B) that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation.