Ohio edges closer to banning credit cards for gambling

• Ohio’s credit card rule is waiting final go-ahead from the relevant authorities to take effect
• The public consultation window for the credit card ban for the purposes of sports gambling closed on May 15, with no pushback from operators
• In fact, many sportsbooks have begun phasing out credit card deposits nation wide in the United States

Ohio has been actively exploring options to re-regulate its gambling industry in a bid to strengthen consumer protections and create a more resilient overall framework, allowing operators to still thrive while protecting at-risk players.

Ohio one step closer to enacting a credit card ban on sports gambling

Now, the state, including the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC), are edging closer to introducing a new rule that will prohibit the use of credit cards for the purposes of sports gambling, a spokesperson has said.

The mulled rule was first brought up in April, with its implementation now subject to the Common Sense Intiative and the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review.

Once these final legal hurdles have been cleared, the rule will be implemented, which will see sportsbooks no longer able to accept credit card payments.

Most sportsbooks operators nationwide have long come to terms that credit cards are an outdated mode of payment, and one that does not necessarily contribute to their bottom lines, with many opting out of the option even before state-mandated regulation.

Among the companies to have opted in are DraftKings, have introduced a nationwide ban, with FanDuel, Caesars, bet365, and Fanatics also rolling out restrictions on credit card funding of their own.

According to the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio, Executive Director Derek Longmeier has welcomed the idea of seeing credit removed from the options to fund gambling, as he noted that people ought not to be gambling away money that they do not have.

OCCC Deputy Executive Director Craig Donahue has noted that there has not been any pushback or critical feedback from the public or operators on the proposed rule, with DraftKings only raising a minor technical objection, but otherwise completely happy with the ban.

With the change drawing closer to enactment, Ohio is set to join a number of other states, including Vermont, Virginia, New Hampshire, Oregon, Tennessee, Rhode Island, Iowa, Illinois, and Massachusetts.

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