Caesars and PointsBet highlight first batch of mobile operators approved in Ohio
SuperBook, bet365, and Betfred also receive conditional approval from increasingly frustrated OCCC
The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) provided the proverbial green light to the first batch of mobile sports betting operators on October 5, with Caesars and PointsBet highlighting the five sportsbooks to receive conditional approval of their license applications.
Joining them were SuperBook, bet365, and Betfred, all of which had submitted applications for mobile management service providers (MMSP) licenses in concert with their land-based partners.
The sportsbook approvals were arguably the secondary news item from the latest OCCC meeting, however, as executive director Matt Schuler used the opportunity to vent his growing frustration with many of the other hundreds of applicants for the state’s various sports betting licenses.
Although he didn’t name names, Schuler chided the prospective stakeholders for occupying an inordinate amount of his licensing staff’s attention with what he effectively deemed extraneous and time-consuming requests.
“Applicants are constantly barraging the staff as to when they are going to be on the agenda,” Schuler said. “They seem to believe that their application and their circumstances are more important than every other applicant that we have.”
Schuler went on to liken the applicants to “petulant children” before stating in no uncertain terms how his office will handle similar overtures going forward.
“My advice to the licensing division is every time an applicant calls with a ‘When are we going to be on the agenda?’ question, to move them to the bottom of the pile.”
While Schuler didn’t mince words when it came to the unruly applicants, the meeting’s business agenda otherwise went off as planned.
In addition to the five MMSP licenses, the OCCC also provided conditional approval to 37 ‘Type C’ license applications – which permit licensees to house self-service betting kiosks in their bars, restaurants, and other lottery-vending businesses – while approving six supplier applications (Angstrom Sports, SG Gaming, Amelco UK Limited, Marown Limited, NeoGames Solutions, and Novomatic Americas Sale).
In total, the Commission has conditionally approved 847 Type C licenses, according to the state’s eLicense portal.
October 5 marked the deadline for applicants to submit information on key employees and holding companies, while the next significant date on the calendar is November 2, which is when applicants must submit plans for responsible gambling procedures, house rules, and compliance materials for approval.