Ohio fines ‘must be meaningful’

Fines levied against sports betting operators in the new US jurisdiction of Ohio cannot be put against “the cost of doing business.”

Ten days into the new market, several operators have already been cited by the state Casino Control Commission for violating their licences. They include Penn Entertainment, DraftKings, BetMGM and Caesars. The violations are alleged to include advertising messaging or free bets.

A “disappointed” Jessica Franks, director of communications with the commission, went on record with NBC4i.com to complain that despite saying that they would not target those under 21, “their actions right now don’t seem to be really matching up.”

Derek Longmeier, executive director of the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio, is quoted saying that fines had to be substantial enough to avert a situation where operators brushed off the penalties. “We need to make sure that the fines are at a level that it’s not just a cost of doing business.”