OCCC Publishes Guidelines for Catalogue of Bets to be Allowed in Ohio

Category One wagers are generally approved and do not need specific approval if they meet the criteria set forth by the Commission, Category Two wagers are not specifically approved and require approval of the Executive Director before being offered, and Category 3 wagers are specifically prohibited.

Category 1 wagers are those involving specifically approved sports governing bodies, including the NBA, MLB, NHL, NFL, PGA Tour, MLS, NCAA, and other domestic and international entities. Any bet that meets the criteria set forth by the commission (outcomes are based on statistical results, based on the performance of an individual or team, and based on results from the field of play) is allowed, including on college athletics involving Ohio teams. Category 2 wagers require approval, and are awards voted on by referees, officials, athletes, or the media, and league drafts or other selection events. Category 3 wagers involve statistical actions of coaches, officials, or referees, inherently objectionable outcomes (like injuries), and wagers that are not related to the competition itself (coin flips, clothing, length of national anthem, etc.).

One wrinkle in the Ohio law allows the sports governing bodies to appeal to the Casino Control Commission to ask for specific types of bets to be prohibited. Based on public statements during the legislative process this session and last, it is possible (if not likely) the NCAA will request player prop bets to be prohibited in college sporting events, and other governing bodies may ask for preseason contests to be ineligible for wagering. When the governing bodies receive such a request, the Casino Control Commission will consider the request in accordance with statute and rule.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the proposed catalogue, please do not hesitate to contact iDEA’s Ohio lobbyist, Dan Dodd.