Ohio Escalates Prediction Markets Fight With New Warning To Gaming Licensees
The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) has sent its sports betting and fantasy contest licensees and applicants a notice warning of the consequences for providing services to prediction market operators in the state.
Andromeda Morrison, the OCCC’s interim executive director, said should these companies continue to continue to support “unregulated and unlicensed gaming through prediction markets, may impact their future and ongoing suitability.”
“The notice asks all licensees and applicants to confirm their compliance with that notice no later than October 30,” Morrison told the seven-member commission on Wednesday.
The notice expressed the OCCC’s deep concern by reports that certain commission licensees continue to support or provide services to entities offering sports event contracts to residents of Ohio without a sports gaming license.
These services reportedly include, liquidity provision, and market making, integrity monitoring, and equipment, data security, and other technology-related services, according to the notice that was first reported by The Event Horizon newsletter.
“The continued facilitation or support of illegal gambling activity, or the affiliation with illegal operators, by a commission licensee raises significant suitability concerns,” the notice reads. “As you are aware, maintaining suitability is a continuing obligation of licensure.”
The notice reminded licensees that to engage in unlicensed sports betting in Ohio reflects on the licensee’ character and reputation, as well as “undermines public confidence in Ohio’s regulated sports gaming and fantasy contest markets.”
Morrison said the notice was a follow-up from the commission’s previous guidance in August 2025.
“So again, reiterating the commission’s long-held position that prediction markets that are offering sports event related contracts are doing so outside the confines of Ohio law,” Morrison said.
Morrison explained that following a favorable ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, the OCCC issued cease-and-desist letter to ten prediction market companies that appear to be offering sports-event contracts in Ohio.