Ohio Gambling Commission – Gaming Regulations
No dedicated punter will deny that legalizing gambling in Ohio was an uphill battle with many twists and turns. As a result, the state settled for one of the most complex regulatory systems in the US. It has a set of commissions, each responsible for a different sector of the gaming industry.
It’s appropriate to present the Ohio gambling commission – which is not an official name – as a collective entity of three commissions. Let’s see what that’s all about!
Ohio Gambling Commission Structure
There’s a trio of Ohio gambling regulators that works together as a team and separately in their own fields all at the same time. The trio we are talking about has the go-ahead to enforce the Ohio gambling law in a constitutional way and by constitutional means.
We take a look at each of the three commissions plus the Department of Mental Health & Addiction because serving the law is just as important as having a healthy gambling community.
Ohio Casino Control Commission
This is a diverse commission of professionals formed with the intent to promote enforcement of the gambling laws. This institution is the first point of contact for future casino operators and employees. Licensing and paperwork is handled there. What you need to do is to fill a form and pay a tax if you want to apply for a casino license in Ohio.
On the official Casino Control Commission website there are important definitions the commission abides by and information about the compliance and licensing work being done there. All that information is public, so you can use it for further reference as well as answering some of the questions you may have.
Ohio Lottery Commission
The Lottery Commission is an important cog in the system for gaming regulation in Ohio. It is there to represent and instil the values of the Ohio Lottery in all interactions and operations. Most importantly, The Ohio Lottery Commission is there to promote and ensure subsidization of education in the state. Last but not least, in its capacity as a license-issuer, this is the Ohio gambling commission that can license lottery retailers. The board of this institution consists of eight commissioners. Their names and positions in 2021 are:
- Matthew Blair – Chairman
- James Brady – Vice Chair
- Nita Gupta
- Jonathan S. Hughes
- Angela Mingo
- Mark Rickel
- Martin J. Sweeney
- Matthew Szollosi
Ohio State Racing Commission
The General Assembly gave the green light to pari-mutuel horse race betting in the distant 1933. On account of that decision, the Ohio State Racing Commission was founded. Its primary objectives were and are to this day, the preservation and protection of the horse racing industry. In line with that, the commission was put in charge of the licensing and regulation of pari-mutuel betting operators.
Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction
While not being an Ohio gambling regulator, the Department of Mental Health & Addiction is a very important link in the industry’s structure. It’s the place for Ohioans to get counselling, help and support in order to deal with a mental or gambling problem. Here are some facts and important informaiton about the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction:
| 📞 CareLine | 1-800-720-9616 |
| 🗺 Address | 30 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215 |
| 💻 Website | https://mha.ohio.gov/ |
| 🤔 Type | Nonprofit |
| 📆 Year Founded | 1956 |
We mention the functions of this specific department because the Ohio gambling commission, as a whole, encourages everyone to bet safely and responsibly. Obviously, that’s a problem for some people, hence the need for fast and adequate help. In any case, if you feel you are in danger of falling victim to problem gambling, don’t hesitate to call in.
How to Get a License?
The key to understanding the path to obtaining a proper license is that the application process is initiated by contacting the correct commission. As we’ve explained already, there are three commissions whose joint effort preserves the integrity of the gaming industry in Ohio. Depending on the type of service you are willing to provide, your candidature form and tax will be different. These are the three main license types you can apply for as a business owner or a future casino employee.
Casino License
Every gaming vendor, casino operator, or employee in a casino must have a valid license issued by the Casino Control Commission. Each applicant is investigated after submitting an application. Some candidates will be denied a license on the basis of the criteria of the commission. By keeping individuals with a criminal record out, the commission delivers on its manifesto to protect customers and to guarantee a principled industry.
In addition to being assessed, operators must pay an application fee in advance. The validity period of a license is three years. During or after that period, the commission can launch an investigation at any time to check whether the licensee is still eligible for renewal. It’s good to check your Ohio Casino Control Commission license status from time to time in order to avoid further complications.
Lottery Retailer License
In exchange for a $25 licensing fee, you could be on your way to becoming a licensed lottery retailer. Another thing to bear in mind is that you will be asked to get a surety bond or a liability deposit account if you serve/sell alcohol. You could get away with only paying a couple of hundred dollars as this provides the necessary coverage of $15,000. Last but not least is the weekly communication charge of $12.
Racetrack Betting License
You can find and talk to an inspector from the Ohio State Racing Commission at each one of the seven racetracks or contact them online. Bear in mind there’s a difference between licenses for thoroughbred tracks and such for harness tracks. After you download the correct form, here’s what you need to do to finalize the application process:
- Send your application by mail or FedEx along with the check or money order needed for the payment.
- Alternatively, you can email or fax your application to the correct racetrack or the respective inspector. The payment may be made at the OSRC licensing office.
There are seven licensed racetracks and one premise for off-track betting currently in Ohio. It’s a done deal, so an Ohio State Racing Commission license is only issued to stables and individuals working at stables. This is needed when a horse races with a nickname other than an individual’s name. Licensing takes place at the racetracks approved for live racing.
Ohio Gambling Commission Timeline
The most significant events in the history of the Ohio gambling commission are distanced apart by nevertheless big periods of time. It all started when pari-mutuel racetrack betting was legalized in the first third of the 20th century. It took almost 80 years until the gambling market in the state could be considered somewhat complete.
Still, there’s a chink in the armour, though – betting on sports cannot be conducted legally. Fingers crossed, that bill SB 176 will change that soon. These are the events that led up to the present state of the Ohio gambling commission.
| 📆 Year | 🎉 Event |
|---|---|
| 1933 | Ohio State Racing Commission is created |
| 1973 | Ohio Lottery Commission is established |
| 2011 | Ohio Casino Control Commission is founded |
| 2013 | Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction is established |
Ohio Gambling Commission and Sports Betting
Presently, the trio of Ohio gambling commissions doesn’t include an official authority to deal with sports betting matters simply because the latter activity is outlawed. Many believe bill SB 176 will bring about a new and prolific sports betting era for people from The Buckeye State, but it remains to be seen. As it is, the bill has passed the Senate, and now the future of betting in Ohio is in the hands of the House.
In Senate Bill 176, we can see an attempt to establish an expansive legal market. Three types of licenses will be issued – sports betting site operators, retail sportsbooks, and liquor-licensed venues. In total, that makes a massive 78 licenses. Additional regulations apply in regard to the population of the cities where sports betting businesses will be allowed to operate. If that proposition is to be approved, a tax on betting revenue of 10% will come into effect as well.
FAQ
If there is still something you fail to understand about the Ohio Casino Control Commission or one of the other gambling regulators in the state, consider reading the next Q&A. You can take it as a succinct overview of the key talking points we already touched on.
