Ohio introduces pro-DFS bill
Senate Bill 375 would impose $30,000 licensing fee but no direct taxes for operators
A bill seeking to legalize and regulate daily fantasy sports (DFS) has been introduced in Ohio by Republican state senator David Burke.
Senate Bill 375 aims to “affirm the legality of fantasy sports in Ohio” by exempting it from the state’s gambling code and putting it under the authority of the Ohio Casino Control Commission.
The bill would set up consumer protections that have become standard in other states, while also granting wide-ranging rule-making powers to the OCCC.
It would also introduce a $30,000 licensing fee for operators, with no direct taxes thereafter and impose the type of player protection controls seen in other regulated states, such as age limits.
“Our legislation creates state-level consumer protections for the growing number of Ohioans participating in these contests and achieves my goals for allowing Ohioans to continue to do so,” said the bill’s sponsor David Burke.
“This provides common sense transparency and protections for consumers.
“This legislation is the result of work completed by multiple stakeholders, including my colleague Senator Hite, the Ohio Attorney General’s office, the Casino Control Commission, industry and fans.”
The potential legislation is welcome news in Ohio – one of the biggest DFS state markets – where the future of the activity is uncertain, given the introduction of a bill last year which aimed to label DFS as a game of chance and therefore illegal in Ohio.