Chapter 3775 | Sports Gaming

Section 3775.01 | Definitions.

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

As used in this chapter:

(A) "Applicant" means a person that applies to the Ohio casino control commission for a license under this chapter.

(B) "Casino operator" has the same meaning as in section 3772.01 of the Revised Code.

(C) "Collegiate sport or athletic event" means a sport or athletic event offered or sponsored by, or played in connection with, a public or private institution that offers educational services beyond the secondary level.

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

(E) "Esports event" means an organized video game competition that is regulated by a sports governing body and that is held between professional players who play individually or as teams.

(F) "Lottery sports gaming" has the same meaning as in section 3770.23 of the Revised Code.

(G)(1) "Mobile management services provider" means a person that contracts with a type A sports gaming proprietor under section 3775.05 of the Revised Code to operate sports gaming on behalf of the sports gaming proprietor and that is licensed by the Ohio casino control commission as a mobile management services provider under that section.

(2) "Management services provider" means a person that contracts with a type B sports gaming proprietor under section 3775.051 of the Revised Code to operate sports gaming on behalf of the sports gaming proprietor and that is licensed by the Ohio casino control commission as a management services provider under that section.

(H) "Official league data" means statistics, results, outcomes, and other data related to a sporting event provided by the appropriate sports governing body or its designee.

(I) "Online sports pool" means sports gaming in which a wager on a sporting event is made through a computer or mobile device and accepted through an online gaming web site that is operated by a type A sports gaming proprietor or mobile management services provider.

(J) "Professional sport or athletic event" means an event at which two or more persons participate in sports or athletic events and receive compensation, or the potential for compensation based on their performance, in excess of actual expenses for their participation in the event.

(K) "Professional sports organization" means any of the following:

(1) The owner of a professional sports team in this state that is a member of the national football league, the national hockey league, major league baseball, major league soccer, or the national basketball association;

(2) The owner of a sports facility in this state that hosts an annual tournament on the professional golf association tour or a wholly owned for-profit subsidiary of the owner, if the owner is a nonprofit corporation or organization;

(3) A promoter of a national association for stock car auto racing national touring race conducted in this state.

(L) "Promotional gaming credit" means a credit, discount, or other similar item issued to a patron to enable the placement of, or increase in, a wager on a sporting event.

(M) "Proposition bet" means a wager on a sporting event that is based on whether an identified instance or statistical achievement will occur, will be achieved, or will be surpassed, other than the score or outcome of the sporting event or parts of the sporting event, such as quarters, halves, periods, or innings.

(N)(1) Except as otherwise provided in divisions (N)(2) and (3) of this section, "sporting event" means any professional sport or athletic event, any collegiate sport or athletic event, any Olympic or international sports competition event, any motor race event, any esports event, or any other special event the Ohio casino control commission authorizes for sports gaming, the individual performance statistics of athletes or participants in such an event, or a combination of those.

(2) "Sporting event" does not include an event for primary or secondary school students, whether conducted or sponsored by a primary or secondary school or by another person, or the individual performance statistics of athletes or participants in such an event.

(3) "Sporting event" includes an event that involves athletes or participants who are under eighteen years of age, or the individual performance statistics of athletes or participants in the event, only if the Ohio casino control commission authorizes the event for sports gaming.

(O)(1) "Sports gaming" means the business of accepting wagers on sporting events.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in division (O)(3) of this section and in section 3770.25 of the Revised Code, "sports gaming" includes any system or method of wagering on sporting events that the Ohio casino control commission approves, including exchange wagering, parlays, spreads, over-under, moneyline, in-game wagering, single game bets, teaser bets, in-play bets, proposition bets, pools, pari-mutuel sports wagering pools, or straight bets.

(3) "Sports gaming" does not include any of the following:

(a) Wagering on horse racing;

(b) Lottery games authorized under Chapter 3770. of the Revised Code, including video lottery terminals, other than lottery sports gaming authorized under sections 3770.23 to 3770.25 of the Revised Code;

(c) Casino gaming authorized under division (C) of Section 6 of Article XV, Ohio Constitution and Chapter 3772. of the Revised Code;

(d) Fantasy contests authorized under Chapter 3774. of the Revised Code.

(P) "Sports gaming equipment" means any of the following that directly relate to or affect, or are used or consumed in, the operation of sports gaming:

(1) Any mechanical, electronic, or other device, mechanism, or equipment, including a self-service sports gaming terminal;

(2) Any software, application, components, or other goods;

(3) Anything to be installed or used on a patron's personal device.

(Q) "Sports gaming facility" means a designated area of a building or structure in which patrons may place wagers on sporting events with a type B sports gaming proprietor either in person or using self-service sports gaming terminals.

(R) "Sports gaming license" means a sports gaming proprietor license, a mobile management services provider license, a management services provider license, a sports gaming occupational license, a type C sports gaming host license, or a sports gaming supplier license issued by the Ohio casino control commission under this chapter.

(S) "Sports gaming licensee" means a person who holds a valid sports gaming license.

(T) "Sports gaming proprietor" means a person licensed by the Ohio casino control commission to offer sports gaming in this state as a type A, type B, or type C sports gaming proprietor.

(U) "Sports gaming receipts" has the same meaning as in section 5753.01 of the Revised Code.

(V)(1) "Sports gaming supplier" means a person or entity that provides sports gaming equipment or related services to a sports gaming proprietor, mobile management services provider, or management services provider, including providing services, directly or indirectly, that are necessary to create a betting market or to determine bet outcomes.

(2) A sports gaming supplier that provides sports gaming equipment or services to be used through a sports gaming proprietor, mobile management services provider, or management services provider is not considered a sports gaming proprietor, mobile management services provider, or management services provider solely on that basis.

(3) A sports governing body that provides official league data concerning its own sporting event to a sports gaming proprietor, mobile management services provider, management services provider, or sports gaming supplier is not considered a sports gaming supplier solely on that basis.

(W) "Sports gaming voluntary exclusion program" means the program described in division (B)(11) of section 3775.02 of the Revised Code.

(X) "Sports governing body" means a regional, national, or international organization having ultimate authority over the rules and codes of conduct with respect to a sporting event and the participants in the sporting event.

(Y) "Type A sports gaming proprietor" means a sports gaming proprietor licensed by the Ohio casino control commission to offer sports gaming through an online sports pool.

(Z) "Type B sports gaming proprietor" means a sports gaming proprietor licensed by the Ohio casino control commission to offer sports gaming at a sports gaming facility.

(AA) "Type C sports gaming proprietor" means a sports gaming proprietor licensed by the Ohio casino control commission to offer sports gaming through self-service or clerk-operated sports gaming terminals located at type C sports gaming hosts' facilities.

(BB) "Type C sports gaming host" means the owner of a facility with an A-1-A, A-1c, D-1, D-2, or D-5 liquor permit issued under Chapter 4303. of the Revised Code who is licensed by the Ohio casino control commission to offer sports gaming at the facility through a type C sports gaming proprietor.

(CC) "Video lottery sales agent" means an agent of the state lottery authorized to operate video lottery terminals under section 3770.21 of the Revised Code.

(DD) "Wager" or "bet" means to risk a sum of money or thing of value on an uncertain occurrence.

Last updated August 3, 2023 at 12:19 PM

Section 3775.02 | Regulation by Ohio casino control commission.

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

(A) The Ohio casino control commission shall have jurisdiction over all persons conducting or participating in the conduct of sports gaming authorized by this chapter or by sections 3770.23 to 3770.25 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 with respect to casino gaming. In all cases in which this chapter requires or allows the commission to adopt rules concerning sports gaming, the commission shall adopt those rules under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(B) The commission shall adopt rules that include all of the following:

(1) Procedures for a sports gaming proprietor to accept wagers on a sporting event or series of sporting events;

(2) The types of wagering tickets sports gaming proprietors are to use;

(3) The manner in which sports gaming proprietors are to issue tickets;

(4) The type of records sports gaming licensees are to keep;

(5) The system to be used to place a wager with a sports gaming proprietor;

(6) The manner in which sports gaming proprietors must verify that their patrons are at least twenty-one years of age;

(7) Protections for a player placing a wager with a sports gaming proprietor;

(8) Measures to promote responsible sports gaming;

(9) Penalties and fines for violating this section or rules adopted under this section;

(10) Restrictions to ensure that sports gaming proprietors' advertisements for sports gaming meet all of the following requirements:

(a) They clearly convey the conditions under which sports gaming is being offered, including information about the cost to participate and the nature of any promotions and information to assist patrons in understanding the odds of winning;

(b) They disclose the identity of the sports gaming proprietor and, if applicable, the mobile management services provider or management services provider;

(c) They do not target individuals under twenty-one years of age, other individuals who are ineligible to participate in sports gaming, problem gamblers, or other vulnerable individuals;

(d) They include messages designed to prevent problem gambling and provide information about how to access resources related to problem gambling;

(e) They are not false, misleading, or deceptive to a reasonable consumer.

(11) A sports gaming voluntary exclusion program, which shall allow a person to voluntarily exclude the person's self from participating in sports gaming conducted under this chapter by placing the person's name on a voluntary exclusion list and following procedures set forth by the commission.

(a) All of the following apply to the sports gaming voluntary exclusion program:

(i) Except as provided by the commission by rule, a person who participates in the program shall agree to refrain from participating in sports gaming conducted under this chapter.

(ii) The name of a person participating in the program shall be included on a list of persons excluded from participating in sports gaming conducted under this chapter.

(iii) Except as provided by the commission by rule, no person who participates in the program shall petition the commission for admittance into a sports gaming facility or for permission to participate in sports gaming conducted under this chapter.

(iv) 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, to a sports gaming proprietor and its agents and employees for purposes of enforcement, and to other entities, upon request of the participant and agreement by the commission.

(v) A sports gaming proprietor shall make all reasonable attempts as determined by the commission to cease all direct marketing efforts to a person participating in the program.

(vi) A sports gaming proprietor 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 sports gaming proprietor from seeking the payment of a debt accrued by a person before participating in the program.

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

(b) The commission shall determine, by rule, whether a participant in the sports gaming voluntary exclusion program also automatically becomes a participant in the voluntary exclusion program established under Chapter 3772. of the Revised Code. The state lottery commission shall determine, by rule, whether a participant in the sports gaming voluntary exclusion program also automatically becomes a participant in any voluntary exclusion program established under Chapter 3770. of the Revised Code.

(12) A procedure by which a sports governing body may request anonymized sports gaming data from a sports gaming proprietor if the sports governing body believes that the integrity of one of its sporting events is in question.

(13) A procedure by which a state university may request anonymized sports gaming data from a sports gaming proprietor for the purpose of conducting research to assist the commission in ensuring the integrity of sports gaming or to improve state-funded services related to responsible gambling and problem gambling. The data are not a public record, and the state university shall not disclose the data to any person, except for the purpose of conducting the research described in this division, as part of a peer-reviewed research report, or pursuant to an agreement between the state university and the sports gaming proprietor. As used in this division, "state university" has the same meaning as in section 3345.011 of the Revised Code.

(14) Any other procedure or thing the commission determines necessary to ensure the integrity of sports gaming regulated by the commission.

(C)(1) The commission may, independently or at the request of any person, including a sports governing body, adopt rules to prohibit or restrict sports gaming proprietors from accepting wagers on a particular sporting event or to prohibit or restrict sports gaming proprietors from accepting a particular type of wager.

(2) The commission shall adopt rules prescribing a process by which the commission may prohibit or restrict sports gaming proprietors from accepting wagers on a particular sporting event or prohibit or restrict sports gaming proprietors from accepting a particular type of wager on a temporary emergency basis instead of by rule.

(3)(a) A sports governing body may formally request the commission to prohibit or restrict sports gaming proprietors from accepting wagers on a particular sporting event or to prohibit or restrict sports gaming proprietors from accepting a particular type of wager. The sports governing body shall submit the formal request in the form and manner prescribed by the commission. Upon receiving the request, the commission promptly shall send written notice of the request to every sports gaming proprietor and shall consider any timely response submitted by a sports gaming proprietor.

(b) If the commission determines that the sports governing body has shown good cause through its formal request to grant the requested prohibition or restriction, the commission promptly shall adopt the prohibition or restriction.

(c) If the commission determines that the sports governing body has not shown good cause through its formal request to grant the requested prohibition or restriction, the commission promptly shall provide the sports governing body with notice and an opportunity for a hearing to offer further evidence in support of granting the requested prohibition or restriction.

(D) The commission shall adopt rules establishing minimum internal control standards for the administration of sports gaming proprietors' operations, sports gaming equipment, systems, or other items used by sports gaming proprietors to conduct sports gaming, and the maintenance of sports gaming proprietors' financial records and other required records. The commission may approve minimum internal control standards proposed by sports gaming proprietors.

(E)(1) The commission shall approve all sports gaming equipment and each form, variation, or composite of sports gaming to be used by sports gaming proprietors.

(2)(a) Before approving a piece of sports gaming equipment or a form, variation, or composite of sports gaming, the commission shall require it to undergo scientific testing or technical evaluation, as the commission determines appropriate. The commission may require the testing or evaluation to be conducted at the expense of the sports gaming supplier or sports gaming proprietor, as applicable, by an independent testing laboratory certified by the commission.

(b) The commission may certify an independent testing laboratory to test and evaluate sports gaming equipment and forms, variations, or composites of sports gaming if both of the following apply:

(i) The laboratory is competent and qualified to scientifically test and technically evaluate sports gaming equipment and forms, variations, or composites of sports gaming for compliance with this chapter and with the rules of the commission and otherwise to perform the functions assigned to the laboratory by the commission;

(ii) The laboratory is not owned or controlled by, is not affiliated with, and does not have any interest in a sports gaming proprietor, mobile management services provider, management services provider, sports gaming supplier, or sports governing body.

(c) The commission shall adopt rules prescribing the certification standards, fees, and duties that apply to a certified independent testing laboratory under division (E) of this section.

(3) The commission shall adopt rules requiring sports gaming licensees and sports gaming facilities to use only approved sports gaming equipment acquired from a licensed sports gaming supplier and to use only approved forms, variations, or composites of sports gaming.

(F)(1) The commission shall determine a person's eligibility to hold or renew a sports gaming license under this chapter, shall issue all sports gaming licenses, and shall maintain a record of all sports gaming licenses issued under this chapter.

(2) The commission shall conduct a complete investigation of each applicant for a sports gaming license to determine whether the applicant meets the requirements of this chapter and of the commission's rules each time the applicant applies for an initial or renewed sports gaming license. The commission may initiate an additional licensing investigation or adjudication or reopen an existing licensing investigation or adjudication at any time.

(G)(1) Except as otherwise provided in divisions (G)(2) and (3) of this section, the commission shall levy and collect all fees and surcharges imposed under this chapter and rules adopted under this chapter and shall deposit all moneys collected in the casino control commission fund created under section 5753.03 of the Revised Code.

(2) Of the license fees described in division (E) of section 3775.04, division (B)(3) of section 3775.05, and division (B)(3) of section 3775.051 of the Revised Code, the commission shall deposit one half of one per cent in the sports gaming profits veterans fund created under section 5902.22 of the Revised Code and shall deposit the remainder in the sports gaming revenue fund created under section 5753.031 of the Revised Code.

(3) The commission shall levy and collect fines for noncriminal violations of the provisions of this chapter and of rules adopted under this chapter and shall deposit all such fines in the sports gaming revenue fund created under section 5753.031 of the Revised Code.

(H)(1) The commission, in an adjudication conducted under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code and in accordance with section 3772.04 of the Revised Code, may do any of the following:

(a) Penalize or fine any sports gaming licensee, applicant for a sports gaming license, or other person who is subject to the commission's jurisdiction under this chapter;

(b) Limit, condition, restrict, suspend, revoke, deny, or refuse to renew any sports gaming license.

(2) The executive director of the commission may issue an emergency order with respect to sports gaming under division (G) of section 3772.04 of the Revised Code.

(I)(1) The commission shall monitor all sports gaming conducted in this state by sports gaming proprietors, or shall contract with an independent integrity monitoring provider for that purpose, in order to identify any unusual betting activities or patterns that may indicate a need for further investigation. The commission shall require each sports gaming proprietor to participate in the monitoring system as part of the minimum internal control standards described in division (D) of this section.

(2) The information in the monitoring system described in division (I)(1) of this section is not a public record. The commission may disclose the information in the monitoring system only as necessary for investigative or law enforcement purposes or pursuant to a court order.

(J)(1) The executive director of the commission promptly shall report to the commission any facts or circumstances related to the operation of a sports gaming licensee that constitute a violation of state or federal law and immediately report any suspicious wagering to the appropriate state or federal authorities.

(2) The commission shall cooperate with any investigation conducted by a law enforcement agency or sports governing body, including by providing, or facilitating the provision of, wagering information and audio or video files related to persons placing wagers, provided that the commission shall not be required to provide any information to a sports governing body that would jeopardize an ongoing criminal investigation.

(3) A sheriff, chief of police, or prosecuting attorney shall furnish to the commission, on forms prescribed by the commission, any information obtained concerning any apparent violation of this chapter or rules adopted under this chapter. If the information is considered a confidential law enforcement investigatory record under section 149.43 of the Revised Code, the commission shall not disclose the information to the public.

(K)(1) The attorney general has a civil cause of action to restrain any violation of this chapter or of rules adopted under this chapter. Upon the request of the commission or its 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.

(2) An action brought under division (K)(1) of this section does not preclude an administrative or criminal proceeding on the same facts.

(3) The attorney general may enter into an agreement with a state or local law enforcement agency to carry out the duties described in division (K)(1) of this section.

Last updated February 14, 2022 at 3:46 PM

Section 3775.03 | Licensing, generally.

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

(A)(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (A)(2) of this section, no person shall operate, conduct, or assist in operating or conducting sports gaming in this state without first obtaining an appropriate sports gaming license from the Ohio casino control commission.

(2) The state lottery commission is not required to receive a sports gaming license in order to operate lottery sports gaming under sections 3770.23 to 3770.25 of the Revised Code.

(B) Each person applying for an initial or renewed sports gaming license issued under this chapter, other than a type C sports gaming host license, and each individual who has control of the applicant as described in division (C) of this section, shall submit two complete sets of fingerprints to the commission for the purpose of conducting a criminal records check, including obtaining any available information from the federal bureau of investigation. The person shall provide the fingerprints using a method the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation prescribes pursuant to division (C)(2) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code and fill out the form the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation prescribes pursuant to division (C)(1) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code. Upon receiving an application under this section, the executive director of the Ohio casino control commission shall request the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation, or a vendor approved by the bureau, to conduct a criminal records check based on the fingerprint impressions in accordance with division (A)(19) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code. Any fee required under division (C)(3) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code shall be paid by the applicant, or in the case of an occupational license, by the applicant's employer. Any applicant convicted of any disqualifying offense, as defined in section 3772.07 of the Revised Code, shall not be issued a license.

(C) The Ohio casino control commission shall not grant a sports gaming proprietor, mobile management services provider, management services provider, or sports gaming supplier license until it has determined that each person who has control of the applicant has met the qualifications for sports gaming licensure established in this chapter and in rules adopted by the commission. All of the following persons are considered to have control of an applicant:

(1) Each person associated with a corporate applicant, including any corporate holding company, parent company, or subsidiary company of the applicant, that has the ability to control the activities of the corporate applicant or elect a majority of the board of directors of that corporation, other than any bank or other licensed lending institution that holds a mortgage or other lien acquired in the ordinary course of business;

(2) Each person associated with a noncorporate applicant that directly or indirectly holds a beneficial or proprietary interest in the applicant's business operation or that the commission otherwise determines has the ability to control the applicant;

(3) Key personnel of an applicant, including any executive, employee, or agency, having the power to exercise significant influence over decisions concerning any part of the applicant's business operation.

(D) A sports gaming proprietor, mobile management services provider, or management services provider shall display its license conspicuously in its place of business or have the license available for inspection by any agent of the Ohio casino control commission or any law enforcement agency. Each holder of an occupational license issued under section 3775.06 of the Revised Code shall have an indicator of licensure prominently displayed when present in a sports gaming facility at all times, in accordance with the rules of the commission. Each type C sports gaming host shall display its license conspicuously in its place of business.

(E) A sports gaming licensee shall give the Ohio casino control commission written notice within ten days of any material change to any information provided in the licensee's application for a license or renewal. The commission shall specify by rule which changes to that information it considers to be material.

Last updated February 14, 2022 at 3:47 PM

Section 3775.04 | Sports gaming proprietor licenses.

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

(A)(1) A type A sports gaming proprietor license authorizes a sports gaming proprietor to offer sports gaming through one or more online sports pools.

(2)(a) Except as otherwise provided under division (A)(2)(b) of this section, the Ohio casino control commission shall license not more than twenty-five type A sports gaming proprietors at any one time.

(b) When twenty-five type A sports gaming proprietors are licensed in this state, the commission may issue additional type A sports gaming proprietor licenses to eligible applicants who demonstrate to the commission that the sports gaming market in this state needs additional type A sports gaming proprietors.

(3) A type A sports gaming proprietor shall meet at least one of the following requirements at all times:

(a) The type A sports gaming proprietor also shall operate a sports gaming facility under a type B sports gaming proprietor license.

(b) The type A sports gaming proprietor shall maintain at least one operational place of business in this state at which the sports gaming proprietor regularly maintains multiple employees.

(4) The commission shall adopt by rule a procedure allowing the commission to revoke a type A sports gaming proprietor license if the licensee does not offer sports gaming to patrons under the license for a continuous period of one year or more.

(B)(1) A type B sports gaming proprietor license authorizes a sports gaming proprietor to offer sports gaming at one sports gaming facility at a location specified on the license.

(2) The commission shall license not more than forty type B sports gaming proprietors at any one time.

(3)(a)(i) Except as otherwise provided in division (B)(3)(a)(ii) of this section, no sports gaming facility shall be located in a county with a population of less than one hundred thousand, as determined by the 2010 federal decennial census.

(ii) The commission may issue an initial or renewed type B sports gaming proprietor license for one sports gaming facility to be located in a county with a population of fifty thousand or more, but less than one hundred thousand, as determined by the 2010 federal decennial census, at any one time, if the commission determines, in consultation with the department of development, that the county received at least five million visitors for purposes of tourism during the most recent calendar year for which the necessary data are available.

(b)(i) Except as otherwise provided in division (B)(3)(b)(ii) of this section, not more than one sports gaming facility shall be located in a county with a population of one hundred thousand or more, but less than four hundred thousand, as determined by the 2010 federal decennial census, at any one time.

(ii) Not more than two sports gaming facilities shall be located in a county with a population of one hundred thousand or more, but less than four hundred thousand, as determined by the 2010 federal decennial census, at any one time, if a video lottery sales agent operates video lottery terminals at a facility in the county.

(c) Not more than three sports gaming facilities shall be located in a county with a population of four hundred thousand or more, but less than eight hundred thousand, as determined by the 2010 federal decennial census, at any one time.

(d) Not more than five sports gaming facilities shall be located in a county with a population of eight hundred thousand or more, as determined by the 2010 federal decennial census, at any one time.

(4) The commission shall issue an initial type B sports gaming proprietor license only to a person who conducts significant economic activity in the county in which the sports gaming facility is to be located, as determined by the commission in consultation with the department of development.

(C)(1) A type C sports gaming proprietor license authorizes a sports gaming proprietor to offer sports gaming through self-service or clerk-operated sports gaming terminals located at one or more type C sports gaming hosts' facilities under section 3770.25 of the Revised Code.

(2) The commission shall license at least two, and not more than twenty, type C sports gaming proprietors at any one time. However, if only one eligible and suitable person applies for a type C sports gaming proprietor license, the commission shall issue the license.

(D) An applicant for an initial or renewed type A, type B, or type C sports gaming proprietor license shall do all of the following:

(1) Submit a written application on a form furnished by the commission.

(a) If the application is for an initial type B sports gaming proprietor license, the application shall specify both of the following:

(i) The intended location of the sports gaming facility or, at a minimum, the county in which the sports gaming facility is to be located if the license is granted;

(ii) The expected overall capital investment in the sports gaming facility, including its size, furnishings, and equipment.

(b) If the application is for a renewed type B sports gaming proprietor license, the application shall specify one of the following, as applicable:

(i) If the sports gaming proprietor does not intend to relocate the sports gaming facility, the location of the sports gaming facility;

(ii) If the sports gaming proprietor intends to relocate the sports gaming facility, the intended new location of the sports gaming facility or, at a minimum, the county in which the sports gaming facility is to be located if the renewal is granted.

(2) Pay the fee required under division (C)(3) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code, along with a nonrefundable application fee in an amount prescribed by the commission by rule;

(3) Submit an audit of the applicant's financial transactions and the condition of the applicant's total operations for the previous fiscal year prepared by a certified public accountant in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and state and federal laws;

(4) Satisfy any other requirements for licensure under this chapter and rules adopted under this chapter.

(E) After receiving a sports gaming proprietor license, the sports gaming proprietor shall pay the following nonrefundable license fees, as applicable, not later than the dates indicated, and shall give to the state a surety bond, in an amount and in the form approved by the commission, to guarantee that the sports gaming proprietor faithfully makes all payments required by this chapter and rules adopted under this chapter during the period of the license:

(1) For an initial or renewed type A sports gaming proprietor license:

	Upon issuance of license	One year after license issued	Two years after license issued	Three years after license issued	Four years after license issued
Initial or renewed license - type A sports gaming proprietor that is a professional sports organization and that is not contracting with more than one mobile management services provider	$500,000	$125,000	$125,000	$125,000	$125,000
Initial or renewed license - any other type A sports gaming proprietor that is not contracting with more than one mobile management services provider	$750,000	$187,500	$187,500	$187,500	$187,500
Initial license - type A sports gaming proprietor that is a professional sports organization and that is contracting with two mobile management services providers	$1,666,667	$416,667	$416,667	$416,667	$416,667
Initial license - any other type A sports gaming proprietor that is contracting with two mobile management services providers	$2,500,000	$625,000	$625,000	$625,000	$625,000
Renewed license - type A sports gaming proprietor that is a professional sports organization and that is contracting with two mobile management services providers	$500,000	$125,000	$125,000	$125,000	$125,000
Renewed license - any other type A sports gaming proprietor that is contracting with two mobile management services providers	$750,000	$187,500	$187,500	$187,500	$187,500

(2) For an initial or renewed type B sports gaming proprietor license:

	Upon issuance of license	One year after license issued	Two years after license issued	Three years after license issued	Four years after license issued
Type B sports gaming proprietor that is also a type A sports gaming proprietor	$100,000	$10,000	$10,000	$10,000	$10,000
Type B sports gaming proprietor that is not also a type A sports gaming proprietor	$50,000	$10,000	$10,000	$10,000	$10,000

(3) For a type C sports gaming proprietor license, one hundred thousand dollars upon being issued an initial license and twenty-five thousand dollars upon being issued a renewed license.

(F)(1) A sports gaming proprietor license shall be valid for a term of five years.

(2) Upon the expiration of a sports gaming proprietor license, the sports gaming proprietor may apply to renew the license in the same manner as for an initial license, unless the license is suspended or revoked or the commission determines that the sports gaming proprietor is not in compliance with this chapter and the rules adopted under this chapter.

Last updated February 14, 2022 at 3:47 PM

Section 3775.041 | Licensing preferences and suitability factors.

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

(A) In issuing initial and renewed type A and type B sports gaming proprietor licenses, the Ohio casino control commission shall give preference to applicants that are professional sports organizations, casino operators, or video lottery sales agents, subject to the factors described in divisions (B) and (C) of this section, as applicable. The commission shall give equal preference to professional sports organizations, casino operators, and video lottery sales agents for that purpose.

(B) In issuing initial and renewed sports gaming proprietor, mobile management services provider, management services provider, and sports gaming supplier licenses, the commission shall consider all of the following factors, in addition to all other requirements for licensure specified under this chapter and in the rules of the commission:

(1) The reputation, experience, and financial integrity of the applicant and any person that controls the applicant, as determined under division (C) of section 3775.03 of the Revised Code;

(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 gambling-related licensing requirements in this state or any other jurisdiction, including whether the applicant has a history of noncompliance with those requirements;

(4) Whether the applicant has been charged with, indicted for, or convicted of any felony or misdemeanor criminal offense under the laws of any jurisdiction, not including any traffic violation;

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

(8) Whether awarding a license would undermine the public's confidence in the sports gaming industry in this state.

(C) In the case of a sports gaming proprietor license, the Ohio casino control commission also shall consider all of the following:

(1) The nature of the applicant's current or intended physical presence in this state, including any expenditures for physical infrastructure;

(2) The length of time, if any, for which the applicant has been doing any kind of business in this state;

(3) The total amount of taxable income the applicant pays, or will pay, to its employees in this state;

(4) The applicant's current or intended local and statewide economic involvement in this state;

(5) The applicant's other current or intended contributions to this state, including promoting tourism.

(D) Notwithstanding any contrary provision of division (A), (B), or (C) of this section, the Ohio casino control commission shall not give preference to an applicant for a sports gaming proprietor license on the basis that any of the following persons currently contract, or have contracted, with the state lottery commission or any other agency of this state:

(1) The applicant;

(2) A person that has control over the applicant, as determined under division (C) of section 3775.03 of the Revised Code;

(3) A person over which the applicant has control, as determined under that division.

Last updated February 14, 2022 at 3:48 PM

Section 3775.05 | Mobile management services providers.

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

(A)(1)(a) Except as otherwise provided in division (A)(2)(b) of this section, a type A sports gaming proprietor may contract with not more than one mobile management services provider to offer sports gaming on the sports gaming proprietor's behalf, in a manner authorized under the contract.

(b) A type A sports gaming proprietor that is a professional sports organization or is a casino operator or video lottery sales agent, and whose license was not issued under division (A)(2)(b) of section 3775.04 of the Revised Code, may contract with one additional mobile management services provider to offer sports gaming on the sports gaming proprietor's behalf, in a manner authorized under the contract, if the sports gaming proprietor demonstrates to the Ohio casino control commission that the second contract would generate an incremental economic benefit to this state beyond the economic benefits generated by the first contract and that the second contract will not prevent another type A sports gaming proprietor from securing a contract with a mobile management services provider.

(c) For purposes of the license fees described in division (B)(3) of this section:

(i) The first mobile management services provider with which the type A sports gaming proprietor enters into a contract is considered the designated first mobile management services provider.

(ii) If the type A sports gaming proprietor contracts with another mobile management services provider while still contracting with the designated first mobile management services provider, the additional mobile management services provider is considered the designated second mobile management services provider.

(d) The commission shall adopt by rule a procedure allowing the commission to revoke a designated second mobile management services provider's license if the licensee does not actively offer sports gaming under the license to the economic benefit of this state for a continuous period of one year or more.

(2)(a) If the holder of a type A sports gaming proprietor license is a professional sports organization and is a member of a league, association, or organization that prevents the holder from being subject to the regulatory control of the Ohio casino control commission or from otherwise operating under the license, the professional sports organization may contractually appoint a designee operator that is considered the mobile management services provider for all aspects of commission oversight and operating under the license. The professional sports organization shall not have control over the mobile management services provider, and the mobile management services provider shall not have control over the professional sports organization, as determined by the commission under division (C) of section 3775.03 of the Revised Code.

(b) A professional sports organization and a mobile management services provider described in division (A)(2)(a) of this section shall not exchange any information that may compromise the integrity of sporting events or of sports gaming. The commission shall adopt by rule procedures for the professional sports organization and the mobile management services provider to follow to ensure the integrity of sporting events and of sports gaming, including procedures to prevent any exchange of information or conflict of interest between the professional sports organization and the mobile management services provider.

(3) A mobile management services provider may offer sports gaming only in accordance with this chapter, with the rules adopted by the Ohio casino control commission under this chapter, and with the nature of the sports gaming proprietor's license.

(B)(1) A mobile management services provider shall be licensed under this section before entering into a contract with a type A sports gaming proprietor as described in division (A) of this section. A mobile management services provider license entitles the holder to contract with one type A sports gaming proprietor. An applicant for an initial or renewed mobile management services provider license shall meet all requirements for licensure established by the commission by rule and shall pay the fee required under division (C)(3) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code, along with a nonrefundable application fee in an amount determined by the commission by rule.

(2) The commission may accept another jurisdiction's license, if the commission determines it has similar licensing requirements, as evidence that the applicant meets the requirements for a license issued under this section.

(3) After receiving a mobile management services provider license, the mobile management services provider shall pay the following nonrefundable license fees, as applicable, not later than the dates indicated:

	Upon issuance of license	One year after license issued	Two years after license issued	Three years after license issued	Four years after license issued
Initial or renewed license - designated first mobile management services provider for a type A sports gaming proprietor that is a professional sports organization	$1,000,000	$250,000	$250,000	$250,000	$250,000
Initial or renewed license - designated first mobile management services provider for any other type A sports gaming proprietor	$750,000	$187,500	$187,500	$187,500	$187,500
Initial license - designated second mobile management services provider for a type A sports gaming proprietor that is a professional sports organization	$3,333,333	$833,333	$833,333	$833,333	$833,333
Initial license - designated second mobile management services provider for any other type A sports gaming proprietor	$2,500,000	$625,000	$625,000	$625,000	$625,000
Renewed license - designated second mobile management services provider for a type A sports gaming proprietor that is a professional sports organization	$1,000,000	$250,000	$250,000	$250,000	$250,000
Renewed license - designated second mobile management services provider for any other type A sports gaming proprietor	$750,000	$187,500	$187,500	$187,500	$187,500

(C) A mobile management services provider license shall be valid for a term of five years. In order to renew a mobile management services provider license, the licensee shall apply to the commission for a renewed license in the same manner as for an initial license.

(D) In order to permit a mobile management services provider to offer sports gaming on behalf of a type A sports gaming proprietor, the sports gaming proprietor and the mobile management services provider shall enter into a written contract that has been approved by the commission. If the sports gaming proprietor and the mobile management services provider wish to make a material change to the contract, the sports gaming proprietor first shall submit the change to the commission for its approval or rejection. The sports gaming proprietor or the mobile management services provider shall not assign, delegate, subcontract, or transfer the mobile management service provider's duties and responsibilities under the contract to a third party.

(E)(1) Subject to division (E)(2) of this section, the provisions of this chapter concerning a type A sports gaming proprietor apply to a mobile management services provider that contracts with the sports gaming proprietor with respect to all rights, duties, and liabilities of the sports gaming proprietor assigned, delegated, subcontracted, or transferred to the mobile management services provider as though the mobile management services provider were a type A sports gaming proprietor. Unless the context requires otherwise, references in the Revised Code to a sports gaming proprietor apply to a mobile management services provider to the extent that the mobile management services provider is acting on behalf of a type A sports gaming proprietor pursuant to the contract.

(2) Division (E)(1) of this section does not permit a mobile management services provider to operate sports gaming other than pursuant to a contract with a type A sports gaming proprietor to operate sports gaming on behalf of the sports gaming proprietor.

(F) The commission shall adopt a rule setting a maximum number of mobile management services provider licenses a person may hold at any one time.

Last updated February 14, 2022 at 3:48 PM

Section 3775.051 | Management services providers.

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

(A)(1) A type B sports gaming proprietor may contract with one management services provider to offer sports gaming at a sports gaming facility on the sports gaming proprietor's behalf, in a manner authorized under the contract.

(2)(a) If the holder of a type B sports gaming proprietor license is a professional sports organization and is a member of a league, association, or organization that prevents the holder from being subject to the regulatory control of the Ohio casino control commission or from otherwise operating under the license, the professional sports organization may contractually appoint a designee operator that is considered the management services provider for all aspects of commission oversight and operating under the license. The professional sports organization shall not have control over the management services provider, and the management services provider shall not have control over the professional sports organization, as determined by the commission under division (C) of section 3775.03 of the Revised Code.

(b) A professional sports organization and a management services provider described in division (A)(2)(a) of this section shall not exchange any information that may compromise the integrity of sporting events or of sports gaming. The commission shall adopt by rule procedures for the professional sports organization and the management services provider to follow to ensure the integrity of sporting events and of sports gaming, including procedures to prevent any exchange of information or conflict of interest between the professional sports organization and the management services provider.

(3) A type C sports gaming proprietor shall not contract with a mobile management services provider or a management services provider to offer sports gaming under the type C sports gaming proprietor license on the sports gaming proprietor's behalf.

(4) A management services provider may offer sports gaming only in accordance with this chapter, with the rules adopted by the Ohio casino control commission under this chapter, and with the nature of the sports gaming proprietor's license.

(B)(1) A management services provider shall be licensed under this section before entering into a contract with a type B sports gaming proprietor as described in division (A) of this section. A management services provider license entitles the holder to contract with one type B sports gaming proprietor. An applicant for an initial or renewed management services provider license shall meet all requirements for licensure established by the commission by rule and shall pay the fee required under division (C)(3) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code, along with a nonrefundable application fee in an amount determined by the commission by rule.

(2) The commission may accept another jurisdiction's license, if the commission determines it has similar licensing requirements, as evidence that the applicant meets the requirements for a license issued under this section.

(3) After receiving an initial or renewed management services provider license, the applicant shall pay the following nonrefundable license fees, as applicable, not later than the dates indicated:

	Upon issuance of license	One year after license issued	Two years after license issued	Three years after license issued	Four years after license issued
Management services provider that is contracting with a type B sports gaming proprietor that is also a type A sports gaming proprietor	$100,000	$10,000	$10,000	$10,000	$10,000
Any other management services provider	$50,000	$10,000	$10,000	$10,000	$10,000

(C) A management services provider license shall be valid for a term of five years. In order to renew a management services provider license, the licensee shall apply to the commission for a renewed license in the same manner as for an initial license.

(D) In order to permit a management services provider to offer sports gaming on behalf of a type B sports gaming proprietor, the sports gaming proprietor and the management services provider shall enter into a written contract that has been approved by the commission. If the sports gaming proprietor and the management services provider wish to make a material change to the contract, the sports gaming proprietor first shall submit the change to the commission for its approval or rejection. The sports gaming proprietor or the management services provider shall not assign, delegate, subcontract, or transfer the management service provider's duties and responsibilities under the contract to a third party.

(E)(1) Subject to division (E)(2) of this section, the provisions of this chapter concerning a type B sports gaming proprietor apply to a management services provider that contracts with the sports gaming proprietor with respect to all rights, duties, and liabilities of the sports gaming proprietor assigned, delegated, subcontracted, or transferred to the management services provider as though the management services provider were a type B sports gaming proprietor. Unless the context requires otherwise, references in the Revised Code to a sports gaming proprietor apply to a management services provider to the extent that the management services provider is acting on behalf of a type B sports gaming proprietor pursuant to the contract.

(2) Division (E)(1) of this section does not permit a management services provider to operate sports gaming other than pursuant to a contract with a type B sports gaming proprietor to operate sports gaming on behalf of the sports gaming proprietor.

(F) The commission shall adopt a rule setting a maximum number of management services provider licenses a person may hold at any one time.

Last updated February 14, 2022 at 3:48 PM

Section 3775.06 | Occupational licenses.

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

(A)(1) An individual whose duties include any of the following shall hold an appropriate and valid sports gaming occupational license issued by the Ohio casino control commission at all times:

(a) Accepting wagers on sporting events on behalf of a sports gaming proprietor;

(b) Handling money as part of operating sports gaming on behalf of a sports gaming proprietor, including a cashier, change person, count team, or coin wrapper;

(c) Providing security for the operation of sports gaming by a sports gaming proprietor, including a guard or observer, other than providing general security at a type C sports gaming host's facility;

(d) Performing other duties such that the individual has the ability to alter material aspects of sports gaming conducted by a sports gaming proprietor.

(2) An individual is not required to have a sports gaming occupational license if the individual's duties are related solely to nongaming activities such as entertainment, maintenance, or preparing or serving food or beverages, including an individual who is, or is employed by, a type C sports gaming host.

(3) The commission shall issue a sports gaming occupational license to an individual who meets the requirements of this chapter and of the commission's rules, provided that the commission's rules shall not require an applicant for a sports gaming occupational license who currently holds a video lottery license issued under Chapter 3770. or a license issued under Chapter 3772. of the Revised Code to take action to satisfy any additional requirement for the sports gaming occupational license that is substantially similar to any requirement the applicant previously has satisfied in order to obtain or renew the applicant's video lottery license or license issued under Chapter 3772. of the Revised Code.

(B) A sports gaming occupational license permits the licensee to be employed in the capacity the commission designates during the duration of the license. The commission may establish by rule job classifications with different requirements.

(C)(1) An applicant for an initial or renewed sports gaming occupational license shall apply for the license on a form prescribed by the commission and shall pay the fee required under division (C)(3) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code, along with a nonrefundable application fee of one hundred dollars. The commission may annually increase the amount of the application fee in an amount that does not exceed the percentage increase in the consumer price index for the previous year, as necessary to cover the cost of processing the application. As used in this division, "consumer price index" means the consumer price index for all urban consumers or its successive equivalent, as determined by the United States department of labor, bureau of labor statistics, or its successor in responsibility, for all items, Series A.

(2) Upon receiving an initial or renewed sports gaming occupational license, the applicant shall pay a nonrefundable license fee of fifty dollars.

(3) An applicant's employer may pay the fees described in divisions (C)(1) and (2) of this section on behalf of the applicant.

(D) The commission may adopt rules allowing an individual who holds a sports gaming occupational license from another jurisdiction to be licensed in this state by reciprocity, so long as that jurisdiction's requirements to receive that license and the activities authorized by the license are substantially similar to those of this state with respect to the license the individual seeks.

(E) A sports gaming occupational license shall be valid for a term of three years. In order to renew a sports gaming occupational license, the licensee shall apply to the commission for a renewed license in the same manner as for an initial license.

Last updated February 14, 2022 at 3:49 PM

Section 3775.07 | Type C sports gaming hosts.

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

(A)(1) The owner of a facility with an A-1-A, A-1c, D-1, D-2, or D-5 liquor permit issued under Chapter 4303. of the Revised Code who offers sports gaming through a type C sports gaming proprietor using self-service or clerk-operated sports gaming terminals located at the facility shall hold an appropriate and valid type C sports gaming host license issued by the Ohio casino control commission at all times.

(2) The commission shall issue a type C sports gaming host license to any eligible applicant that the state lottery commission recommends. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this chapter, an applicant for an initial or renewed type C sports gaming host license is not required to undergo a criminal background check or licensure suitability investigation in order to receive the license. The commission shall investigate the applicant to determine whether the applicant is eligible for the license and to ensure that the applicant complies with all applicable provisions of this chapter and of the rules of the commission.

(B) An applicant for an initial or renewed type C sports gaming host license shall apply for the license on a form prescribed by the commission and shall pay a nonrefundable application fee in an amount prescribed by the commission by rule.

(C) Upon receiving an initial or renewed type C sports gaming host license, the applicant shall pay a nonrefundable license fee of one thousand dollars.

(D)(1) Subject to division (D)(2) of this section, a type C sports gaming proprietor and a type C sports gaming host may enter into an agreement specifying the terms under which the type C sports gaming host offers sports gaming through the type C sports gaming proprietor, such as terms requiring the type C sports gaming proprietor and the type C sports gaming host to share the proceeds of sports gaming conducted at the type C sports gaming host's facility. A type C sports gaming proprietor shall notify the Ohio casino control commission of each type C sports gaming host that offers sports gaming through the type C sports gaming proprietor.

(2) A type C sports gaming proprietor shall not require a type C sports gaming host to pay any portion of the cost of acquiring, installing, operating, adapting, or maintaining any self-service sports gaming terminal in a type C sports gaming host's facility.

(3) Subject to the terms of the type C sports gaming hosts's agreement with a type C sports gaming proprietor, a type C sports gaming host may offer sports gaming through a different type C sports gaming proprietor than the one identified in the type C sports gaming host's license application during the period of the license. The type C sports gaming proprietor shall notify the commission of the change before the change takes effect, in accordance with the rules of the commission.

(E) A type C sports gaming host license shall be valid for a term of three years. In order to renew a type C sports gaming host license, the licensee shall apply to the commission for a renewed license in the same manner as for an initial license.

Last updated August 3, 2023 at 12:23 PM

Section 3775.08 | Sports gaming suppliers.

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

(A) A sports gaming supplier shall hold an appropriate and valid sports gaming supplier license issued by the Ohio casino control commission at all times. The commission may accept another jurisdiction's license, if the commission determines it has similar licensing requirements, as evidence that the applicant meets the requirements for a license issued under this section. The commission shall issue a sports gaming supplier license to a person or entity that meets the requirements of this chapter and of the commission's rules, provided that the commission's rules shall not require an applicant for a sports gaming supplier license who currently holds a video lottery license issued under Chapter 3770. or a license issued under Chapter 3772. of the Revised Code to take action to satisfy any additional requirement for the sports gaming supplier license that is substantially similar to any requirement the applicant previously has satisfied in order to obtain or renew the applicant's video lottery license or license issued under Chapter 3772. of the Revised Code.

(B) An applicant for an initial or renewed sports gaming supplier license shall apply for the license on a form prescribed by the commission and shall pay the fee required under division (C)(3) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code, along with a nonrefundable application fee of ten thousand dollars. The commission may annually increase the amount of the application fee in an amount that does not exceed the percentage increase in the consumer price index for the previous year, as necessary to cover the cost of processing the application. As used in this division, "consumer price index" means the consumer price index for all urban consumers or its successive equivalent, as determined by the United States department of labor, bureau of labor statistics, or its successor in responsibility, for all items, Series A.

(C) Upon receiving an initial or renewed sports gaming supplier license, the applicant shall pay a nonrefundable license fee of fifteen thousand dollars.

(D) A sports gaming supplier license shall be valid for a term of three years. In order to renew a sports gaming supplier license, the licensee shall apply to the commission for a renewed license in the same manner as for an initial license.

Last updated February 14, 2022 at 3:49 PM

Section 3775.09 | Denial, suspension, and revocation of licenses.

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

(A) An applicant for a sports gaming license, other than a type C sports gaming host license, shall establish the applicant's suitability for the license by clear and convincing evidence.

(B) The Ohio casino control commission shall not grant a sports gaming license, other than a type C sports gaming host license, to an applicant if evidence satisfactory to the commission exists that the applicant has done any of the following:

(1) Knowingly made a false statement to the commission;

(2) Been suspended from operating a gambling game, gaming device, or gaming operation, or had a license revoked by any governmental unit of a national, state, or local body exercising governmental functions;

(3) Been convicted of a disqualifying offense, as defined in section 3772.07 of the Revised Code;

(4) Been directly involved in or employed by any offshore wagering market that illegally serviced the United States or otherwise accepted illegal wagers from individuals located in the United States on or after April 16, 2015.

(C) The commission may deny a sports gaming proprietor, mobile management services provider, or management services provider license to any applicant, reprimand any sports gaming proprietor, mobile management services provider, or management services provider, or suspend or revoke a sports gaming proprietor, mobile management services provider, or management services provider license if any of the following are true:

(1) The applicant or licensee has not demonstrated to the commission's satisfaction financial responsibility sufficient to adequately meet the requirements of the enterprise.

(2) The applicant or licensee is not the true owner of the business or is not the sole owner and has not disclosed the existence or identity of other persons who have an ownership interest in the business.

(3) The applicant or licensee is a corporation that sells more than five per cent of the corporation's voting stock, or more than five per cent of the voting stock of a corporation that controls the corporation, or sells the corporation's assets, other than those bought and sold in the ordinary course of business, or any interest in the assets, to any person who, under division (C) of section 3775.03 of the Revised Code, must meet the qualifications of a sports gaming proprietor, mobile management services provider, or management services provider, as applicable, and who has not already been determined by the commission to have met the applicable qualifications.

(D)(1) The commission shall revoke a sports gaming proprietor license that was issued or renewed because of the preference described in division (A) of section 3775.041 of the Revised Code if the sports gaming proprietor ceases to qualify as a professional sports organization, if the casino operator ceases to be a casino operator, or if the video lottery sales agent ceases to be a video lottery sales agent, as applicable.

(2) The commission shall revoke a type C sports gaming host license if the licensee ceases to hold a valid class D liquor permit for the facility issued under Chapter 4303. of the Revised Code.

(E) The commission shall not grant a sports gaming license to any of the following persons:

(1) A nonprofit corporation or organization;

(2) An individual who is under twenty-one years of age;

(3) An employee of the commission.

Last updated February 14, 2022 at 3:59 PM

Section 3775.091 | Equity in sports gaming licensure.

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

(A) The director of administrative services shall engage an independent consultant to conduct a study to determine whether, and the extent to which, qualified persons experience discrimination or disadvantage in the sports gaming industry on the basis of their membership in a racial minority group, their color or ethnicity, their gender, or their disability. The director shall provide the results of the study to the Ohio casino control commission and shall inform the commission whether, in the director's opinion, the results of the study warrant action by the commission under division (B) of this section.

(B) If the commission determines that the results of the study described in division (A) of this section so warrant, the commission shall establish goals to ensure that sports gaming licenses are issued to applicants described in division (A) of this section on an equitable basis with other applicants and shall disseminate information about the commission's licensing goals through targeted media.

(C) The commission may require, by rule, that sports gaming proprietors pay the cost of disseminating information through targeted media under division (B) of this section.

Last updated February 14, 2022 at 3:59 PM

Section 3775.10 | Sports gaming proprietor duties.

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

(A) A sports gaming proprietor shall do all of the following:

(1) Conduct all sports gaming activities and functions in a manner that does not pose a threat to the public health, safety, or welfare of the citizens of this state;

(2) Adopt comprehensive house rules for game play governing sports gaming transactions with its patrons, including rules that specify the amounts to be paid on winning wagers and the effect of schedule changes, and submit them to the Ohio casino control commission for approval before implementing them. The sports gaming proprietor shall publish its house rules as part of its minimum internal control standards, shall display the house rules, together with any other information the commission considers appropriate, conspicuously in each sports gaming facility and in any other place or manner prescribed by the commission, and shall make copies of its house rules readily available to patrons.

(3) Keep current in all payments and obligations to the commission;

(4) Provide a secure location for the placement, operation, and use of sports gaming equipment;

(5) Prevent any person from tampering with or interfering with the operation of sports gaming;

(6) Employ commercially reasonable methods to prevent the sports gaming proprietor and its agents and employees from disclosing any confidential information in the possession of the sports gaming proprietor that could affect the conduct of sports gaming;

(7) Ensure that sports gaming conducted at a sports gaming facility is within the sight and control of designated employees of the sports gaming proprietor and that sports gaming is conducted under continuous observation by security equipment in conformity with the specifications and requirements of the commission;

(8) Ensure that sports gaming occurs only in the locations and manner approved by the commission;

(9) Ensure that all sports gaming is monitored in accordance with division (I) of section 3775.02 of the Revised Code;

(10) Maintain sufficient funds and other supplies to conduct sports gaming at all times;

(11) Maintain daily records showing the sports gaming proprietor's sports gaming receipts and timely file with the commission any additional reports required by rule or by other provisions of the Revised Code;

(12) Withhold all required amounts from patrons' sports gaming winnings;

(13) Submit to the commission, each fiscal year, an audit of the sports gaming proprietor's financial transactions and the condition of the sports gaming proprietor's total operations prepared by a certified public accountant in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and applicable state and federal laws;

(14) Submit to the commission, at least once every three years, an audit of the sports gaming proprietor's information technology systems and security protocols prepared by a qualified, independent, and capable third party, as determined by, and in a manner approved by, the commission;

(15) Promptly provide anonymized sports gaming data to a sports governing body or a state university that submits a valid request for the data under division (B)(13) or (14) of section 3775.02 of the Revised Code.

(B) A sports gaming proprietor immediately shall report to the commission any information in the sports gaming proprietor's possession related to any of the following:

(1) Any wager in violation of this chapter or rules adopted under this chapter or of federal law;

(2) Abnormal sports gaming activity or patterns that may indicate a concern regarding the integrity of a sporting event;

(3) Suspicious wagering activities;

(4) Any conduct that corrupts a wagering outcome of a sporting event for purposes of financial gain;

(5) Any criminal or disciplinary proceedings commenced against the sports gaming proprietor by any person other than the commission in connection with the sports gaming proprietor's operations.

(C) A sports gaming proprietor may manage risk associated with wagers by rejecting or pooling one or more wagers or by laying off one or more wagers with another sports gaming proprietor.

(D) A sports gaming proprietor may employ a system that offsets loss or manages risk in the operation of sports gaming under this chapter through the use of a liquidity pool in another jurisdiction in which the sports gaming proprietor or an affiliate or other third party also holds licensure, provided that at all times adequate protections are maintained to ensure sufficient funds are available to pay patrons.

(E) A sports gaming proprietor may provide promotional gaming credits to patrons, subject to oversight by the commission.

(F) If a sports gaming patron does not claim a winning wager from a sports gaming proprietor within one year from the last day on which the sporting event is held, the sports gaming proprietor's obligation to pay the winnings shall expire, and the sports gaming proprietor shall remit the winnings to the commission, which shall deposit them in the sports gaming revenue fund.

(G) A sports gaming proprietor is not liable under the laws of this state to any party, including a patron, for disclosing information as required under this chapter or for refusing to disclose information that is not required by law to be disclosed.

(H)(1) A sports gaming proprietor shall maintain the confidentiality of any information provided to the sports gaming proprietor by a sports governing body that the sports governing body designates as confidential, except as otherwise required by law or by order of the commission. The sports gaming proprietor shall not use such confidential information for business or marketing purposes, except with the express written approval of the sports governing body.

(2) A sports governing body shall maintain the confidentiality of any information provided to the sports governing body by a sports gaming proprietor that the sports gaming proprietor designates as confidential, except as otherwise required by law or by order of the commission. The sports governing body shall not use such confidential information for business or marketing purposes, except with the express written approval of the sports gaming proprietor.

Last updated February 14, 2022 at 3:59 PM

Section 3775.11 | Online sports pools.

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

(A) A type A sports gaming proprietor may operate one or more online sports pool web sites and accompanying mobile applications through which the sports gaming proprietor accepts wagers from individuals who are at least twenty-one years of age and who are physically located in this state. The sports gaming proprietor shall use location based technology to prohibit individuals who are not physically present in this state from participating in sports gaming through an online sports pool.

(B)(1) As used in division (B) of this section, "sports gaming account" means an electronic account that an individual may establish for the purpose of sports gaming, including making deposits and withdrawals, wagering amounts, and receiving payouts on winning wagers.

(2) A sports gaming proprietor may accept a wager from an individual through an online sports pool only using the individual's sports gaming account. The sports gaming account shall be in the individual's full legal name and shall not be in the name of any beneficiary, custodian, joint trust, corporation, partnership, or other organization or entity.

(3) A sports gaming account may be established and funded in person through employees or sales agents of a sports gaming proprietor or, pursuant to rules adopted by the Ohio casino control commission, over the internet through a sports gaming proprietor's web site or mobile application in a manner that complies with the sports gaming proprietor's internal controls.

(C) The server responsible for accepting wagers through an online sports pool shall be located in a secure facility in this state.

(D) An online sports pool web site and its accompanying mobile application shall include the name or logo of each of the following in a conspicuous manner:

(1) The type A sports gaming proprietor;

(2) The mobile management services provider that operates the online sports pool on behalf of the type A sports gaming proprietor, if applicable.

Last updated February 14, 2022 at 3:59 PM

Section 3775.12 | Sports gaming facilities.

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

(A) A type B sports gaming proprietor may accept wagers on sporting events that are made in person only from individuals who are at least twenty-one years of age and who are physically present in a sports gaming facility.

(B)(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (B)(2) of this section, before accepting any wager on a sporting event, a type B sports gaming proprietor shall require the individual to register with the sports gaming proprietor, provide the individual's full legal name and any other information required by the Ohio casino control commission or requested by the sports gaming proprietor, and place all wagers on sporting events placed with the sports gaming proprietor through that registration.

(2) A type B sports gaming proprietor may accept an anonymous wager from an individual, so long as the amount of the wager does not exceed a dollar limit determined by the commission by rule.

(C) Except as provided in divisions (C)(1) and (2) of this section, no individual who is under twenty-one years of age shall enter a sports gaming facility.

(1) An employee of a sports gaming proprietor who is eighteen, nineteen, or twenty years of age may be present in a sports gaming facility, so long as the employee's duties are not related to sports gaming.

(2) An individual who is under twenty-one years of age may enter a sports gaming facility in order to pass to another area where sports gaming is not being conducted, but only if the individual is personally escorted by an employee of the sports gaming proprietor who remains in close proximity to the individual at all times in accordance with the rules of the commission.

Last updated February 14, 2022 at 4:00 PM

Section 3775.13 | Persons prohibited from participating in sports gaming.

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

(A) No individual who is on the Ohio casino control commission's sports gaming exclusion list created under section 3772.031 of the Revised Code shall enter a sports gaming facility or the grounds of a sports gaming facility or participate in the play or operation of sports gaming in this state. A sports gaming proprietor shall employ commercially reasonable methods to prevent an individual who is on the commission's sports gaming exclusion list from engaging in sports gaming conducted by the sports gaming proprietor.

(B)(1) A sports gaming proprietor may exclude any individual from entering a sports gaming facility, or the grounds of a sports gaming facility, that is under the control of the sports gaming proprietor and may exclude any individual from participating in the play or operation of sports gaming conducted by the sports gaming proprietor. The sports gaming proprietor shall keep a list of all excluded individuals. No individual who is on a sports gaming proprietor's exclusion list shall enter a sports gaming facility, or the grounds of a sports gaming facility, that is under the control of the sports gaming proprietor or participate in the play or operation of sports gaming conducted by the sports gaming proprietor under this chapter.

(2) If a sports gaming proprietor excludes an individual because the sports gaming proprietor determines that the individual engaged or attempted to engage in any sports gaming related activity that is prohibited under this chapter or under the commission's rules, the sports gaming proprietor shall report that fact to the Ohio casino control commission.

(C)(1) A sports gaming proprietor shall employ commercially reasonable methods to prevent any person who is participating in the sports gaming voluntary exclusion program from engaging in sports gaming conducted by the sports gaming proprietor.

(2) Absent gross negligence, all of the following persons are immune from any type of civil liability on the basis that a person who is participating in the sports gaming voluntary exclusion program enters or accesses a sports gaming facility or participates in sports gaming conducted under this chapter:

(a) The commission or any other agency of this state and its agents or employees;

(b) A sports gaming licensee and its agents or employees.

(D) No sports gaming proprietor, no director, officer, agent, or employee of a sports gaming proprietor, no other person who has a financial interest in a sports gaming proprietor, and no person living in the same household as any of those persons, shall engage in any sports gaming conducted by the sports gaming proprietor, other than as part of operating sports gaming or as part of the employee's employment. A sports gaming proprietor shall employ commercially reasonable methods to prevent those persons, and any other person who has access to confidential information held by the sports gaming proprietor, from engaging in sports gaming conducted by the sports gaming proprietor.

(E) No member or employee of the Ohio casino control commission or the state lottery commission shall knowingly participate in sports gaming conducted by a sports gaming proprietor in this state or participate in sports gaming with any person or entity located outside this state that is directly or indirectly owned or operated by a sports gaming proprietor. A sports gaming proprietor shall employ commercially reasonable methods to prevent such a person from engaging in sports gaming conducted by the sports gaming proprietor.

(F)(1) A sports gaming proprietor shall employ commercially reasonable methods to prevent any person involved in a sporting event with respect to which sports gaming is permitted from engaging in any sports gaming with the sports gaming proprietor, based on publicly available information and any information provided by a sports governing body under division (F)(2) of this section.

(2) The Ohio casino control commission shall adopt rules specifying a procedure for a sports governing body to provide to the commission a list of persons who are involved in sporting events, including those persons' full legal names, dates of birth, and social security numbers, for the purpose of preventing those persons from engaging in sports gaming. The commission shall make the list available to each sports gaming proprietor and to the state lottery commission. The Ohio casino control commission, the state lottery commission, and each sports gaming proprietor shall keep the information in the list confidential.

(3) For purposes of division (F) of this section, a person is considered to be involved in a sporting event if the person is an athlete, participant, coach, referee, team owner, or sports governing body with respect to the sporting event; any agent or employee of such an athlete, participant, coach, referee, team owner, or sports governing body; and any agent or employee of an athlete, participant, or referee union with respect to the sporting event.

(G) A sports gaming proprietor shall employ commercially reasonable methods to prevent any person from placing a wager with the sports gaming proprietor on behalf of another person.

Last updated February 14, 2022 at 4:00 PM

Section 3775.14 | Disclosure of licensing information.

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

(A) Notwithstanding any contrary provision of section 149.43 of the Revised Code, the Ohio casino control commission shall not disclose to the public any of the following:

(1) Any of the following information or documents concerning a person who has applied for or been issued a license under this chapter or the person's spouse, dependent, or employee, unless the person authorizes the commission to disclose the information:

(a) A social security number, passport number, or federal tax identification number;

(b) A home address, telephone number, or electronic mail address;

(c) A birth certificate;

(d) A driver's license or state identification card number;

(e) The name or address of a previous spouse;

(f) A date or place of birth;

(g) Any personal financial information or records, including personal tax returns and information and records of criminal proceedings;

(h) Any information concerning a minor child;

(i) Any information concerning a person the commission has reason to know is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking;

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

(k) 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;

(l) Any other information that the commission receives from another jurisdiction relating to a person who holds, held, or has applied for a license under this chapter.

(2) Any information in a list provided to the commission by a sports governing body under division (F)(2) of section 3775.13 of the Revised Code.

(B) Except as otherwise provided in division (A) of this section, all of the following information is subject to disclosure as a public record under section 149.43 of the Revised Code:

(1) The information a sports gaming proprietor or an applicant for a sports gaming proprietor, mobile management services provider, or management services provider license has submitted to the commission as part of applying for or renewing a sports gaming proprietor, mobile management services provider, or management services provider license;

(2) The name, place of employment, job title, and gaming experience of a person who has applied for or been issued a license under this chapter;

(3) The commission's reasons for denying or revoking a license under this chapter or for taking other disciplinary action under this chapter.

(C) Division (A) of this section does not prohibit the commission from disclosing information and documents described in that division to the state lottery commission or to the inspector general, a prosecuting authority, a law enforcement agency, or any other appropriate governmental entity or licensing agency, provided that the recipient shall not disclose the information and documents to the public.

Last updated February 14, 2022 at 4:01 PM

Section 3775.15 | Shipments of gambling devices.

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

(A) All shipments of gambling devices, including any sports gaming equipment, to sports gaming proprietors, mobile management services providers, management services providers, sports gaming suppliers, or type C sports gaming hosts in this state are legal shipments of gambling devices into this state, as long as the supplier has completed the registering, recording, and labeling of the equipment in accordance with the "Gambling Devices Act of 1962," 15 U.S.C. 1171 to 1178.

(B) This state is exempt from section 2 of the "Gambling Devices Act of 1962," 15 U.S.C. 1172.

Last updated February 14, 2022 at 4:01 PM

Section 3775.16 | Withholding government debts from winnings.

• Effective: March 23, 2022
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 29 - 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 sports gaming proprietor to identify patrons who owe amounts to the state or a political subdivision.

(B)(1) Before disbursing any sports gaming winnings to a patron in an amount for which reporting to the internal revenue service of the amount is required by section 6041 of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, a sports gaming proprietor 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 sports gaming proprietor 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 sports gaming proprietor 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 fourteen days after withholding an amount under division (B) of this section, the sports gaming proprietor 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 February 14, 2022 at 4:01 PM

Section 3775.99 | Prohibitions and penalties.

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

(A) Whoever knowingly does any of the following commits a misdemeanor of the first degree on the first offense and a felony of the fifth degree on a subsequent offense:

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

(2) Permits an individual under twenty-one years of age to engage in sports gaming;

(3) Aids, induces, or causes an individual under twenty-one years of age who is not an employee of the sports gaming proprietor to enter or attempt to enter a sports gaming facility;

(4) Enters or attempts to enter a sports gaming facility while under twenty-one years of age, except as permitted under division (C) of section 3775.12 of the Revised Code;

(5) Participates in sports gaming in violation of division (D) of section 3775.13 of the Revised Code, other than as part of operating sports gaming or as part of the employee's employment.

(B) Whoever knowingly does any of the following commits a felony of the fifth degree on a first offense and a felony of the fourth degree on a subsequent offense. If the person is a sports gaming licensee under this chapter, the Ohio casino control commission shall revoke the person's license issued under this chapter after the first offense.

(1) Offers, promises, or gives anything of value to anyone for the purpose of influencing the outcome of a sporting event or attempts to do so;

(2) Places, increases, or decreases a wager after acquiring knowledge not available to the general public that anyone has been offered, promised, or given anything of value for the purpose of influencing the outcome of the sporting event upon which the wager is placed, increased, or decreased, or attempts to do so;

(3) Manufactures, sells, or distributes any device that is intended by that person to be used to violate any provision of this chapter or the sports gaming laws of any other state;

(4) Places a bet or aids any other person in placing a bet on a sporting event after unlawfully acquiring knowledge of the outcome on which winnings from that bet are contingent;

(5) Claims, collects, or takes anything of value from a sports gaming proprietor with intent to defraud or attempts to do so without having made a wager in which the amount or value is legitimately won or owed;

(6) Places a wager using counterfeit currency or other counterfeit form of credit approved for wagering;

(7) Possesses any device intended to be used to violate this chapter or any rule adopted under this chapter, or any materials used to manufacture such a device. This division does not apply to a sports gaming proprietor or to an agent or employee of a sports gaming proprietor who is acting in furtherance of the sports gaming proprietor's interest.

(8) Changes or alters the normal outcome of any sports gaming conducted through an online sports pool, including any system used to monitor the online sports pool, or the way in which the outcome is reported to any patron;

(9) Operates sports gaming in a manner other than the manner required under this chapter. Premises or any internet web site used or occupied in violation of this division constitute a nuisance subject to abatement under Chapter 3767. of the Revised Code.

(C) Whoever knowingly does any of the following commits a felony of the third degree. If the person is a sports gaming licensee under this chapter, the commission shall revoke the person's license issued under this chapter after the first offense. If the person is a public servant or political party official, the person 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 a sports gaming proprietor, an agent or employee of a sports gaming proprietor, or a member, agent, or employee of the Ohio casino control commission or the state lottery commission, under an agreement to influence, or with the intent to influence, the actions of the person to whom the offer, promise, or gift is made in order to affect or attempt to affect the outcome of sports gaming or an official action of a member, agent, or employee of the Ohio casino control commission or the state lottery commission;

(2) Solicits, accepts, or receives a promise of anything of value or benefit while the person is connected with a sports gaming proprietor, an agent or employee of a sports gaming proprietor, or a member, agent, or employee of the Ohio casino control commission or the state lottery commission, 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 sports gaming or an official action of a member, agent, or employee of the Ohio casino control commission or the state lottery commission.

(D) Whoever knowingly does any of the following while participating in sports gaming or otherwise transacting with a sports gaming proprietor as permitted under this chapter or sections 3770.23 to 3770.25 of the Revised Code commits a felony of the fifth degree on a first offense and a felony of the fourth degree on a subsequent offense:

(1) Causes or attempts to cause the person 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 the person to file a report 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. 3126, 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 sports gaming proprietors, structures a transaction, is complicit in structuring a transaction, attempts to structure a transaction, or is complicit in an attempt to structure a transaction. As used in this division:

(a) 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.

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

Last updated February 14, 2022 at 4:02 PM