$150,000 Fine For Advertising Rules Infraction In Ohio

Home » $150,000 Fine For Advertising Rules Infraction In Ohio

Caesars Ohio was handed a $150,000 fine on Wednesday morning for allegedly violating regulations in the state concerning their advertisements. Other Ohio sportsbooks could use Caesars’ example and opt not to contest the OCCC’s decision, seeing as the Commission also took action against other businesses facing similar charges.

Caesars’ decision may have cost them, but it might be enough of a warning for other online sportsbooks that violations can result in costly penalties. For this reason, companies must stay informed about the rules and regulations running counter to any of their marketing materials.

Caesars Declined Their Right To A Hearing

Representatives of Caesars decided to decline their right to a hearing during Wednesday morning’s meeting, citing that it was an affiliate and not Caesars that released the offending advertising. The company has since severed ties with the affiliate responsible, leading the Ohio Commission to approve a $150,000 fine as a repercussion.

This is the first violation of its kind in Ohio for Caesars. The primary issue at hand was a failure to fulfill two standards regarding sports betting regulations found in Ohio – messages must encourage individuals with pathological gambling issues to seek out treatment and provide ways for them to do so, such as telephone numbers.

This Wednesday, the OCCC will soon make a judgment on the identical penalties for BetMGM Ohio and DraftKings Ohio. Penn Interactive is also facing similar issues here. On top of that, the board has given their approval to an online sportsbook in hopes of averting such matters from occurring again in the future.

OCCC Approved Sports Betting License For Wynnbet

The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) recently voted to approve an online sports betting license for WynnBet, which will operate under the license of Jack Thistledown Rodeo in Ohio. This license gives WynnBet access to legal sports betting in the Buckeye State, though it is still unclear exactly when the WynnBet app will go live.

Additionally, OCCC Chairman Matt Schuler suggested that the Commission look into whether it can use its existing authority to place individuals on a ban from legal Ohio sports betting if they are guilty of harassing collegiate athletes on social media platforms. This will ensure that individuals who engage in this type of harassment and abuse of professional or college athletes are held accountable for their actions.