The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) approved five applicants for sports gaming service providers licenses during the organization’s monthly meeting Wednesday morning in Columbus.
PointsBet, Caesars, Betfred, bet365, and SuperBook Sports received unanimous approval by the OCCC for sports betting service providers licenses. A representative for each mobile sportsbook app was either in attendance or on a livestream connection to hear the OCCC announce the list of the first group of sports gaming service providers applicants to be approved for licenses.
The OCCC also approved U.S. Integrity Inc. for a sports betting integrity monitor license.
“We are very excited about the Ohio launch,” U.S. Integrity President Matthew Holt said. “I think everyone believes this is going to be one of the biggest launches.”
OCCC Executive Director Matt Schuler, who expressed disappointment with some applicants calling the licensing division to find out when they’d receive consideration for approval, announced weeks ago that the universal launch date for sports betting in Ohio will take place at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Day 2023.
The OCCC also approved 37 applicants for Type C sports betting licenses, which allow for sports bars and restaurants to have sports betting kiosks on the premises for patrons to place sports bets. The latest additions push the total approved for Type C sports gaming licenses past 800.
In addition to the five applicants receiving approval for sports gaming service providers licenses, another six applicants were approved for sports gaming suppliers licenses. Those were Angstrom Sports, SG Gaming, Amelco UK Limited, Marown Limited, NeoGames Solutions, and Novomatic Americas Sale.
Filing final batch of rules
Also during Wednesday’s meeting, the OCCC approved the final filing of the fifth batch of sports gaming rules, under the condition that they become effective Oct. 15.
The fifth batch of rules encompasses a number of matters, including additional Type A sports gaming proprietor licenses, county population exceptions for Type B sports gaming proprietor licensees, wager rules, tickets, reserve funds, advertising, promotions and bonuses, sports governing body prohibited persons, sports governing body data requests, information technology, incident reporting, accounting and revenue audits, internal audits, external audits, and patron complaints.
The OCCC noted that final, commission-approved versions of responsible gaming plans, required procedures, house rules, facility plans, geolocation procedures, and equipment test reports are due on Nov. 2. All standard sports gaming employee applications are also due on that date in order to assure that those employees will be considered to begin work on Jan. 1, 2023.
