Ohio Casino Control Commission Issues Huge Fines to DraftKings and PENN Entertainment – Basketball Insiders
Ohio Casino Control Commission Issues Huge Fines to DraftKings and PENN Entertainment – Basketball Insiders
#Ohio #Casino #Control #Commission #Issues #Huge #Fines #DraftKings #PENN #Entertainment #Basketball #Insiders Welcome to InNewCL, here is the new story we have for you today:
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The Ohio Casino Control Commission has fined DraftKings and PENN Entertainment (Barstool) a total of $750,000 for violating their advertising regulations within days of the official state launch. DraftKings settled two violations for a total of $500,000 and PENN settled one violation for $250,000. In the settlements, both companies waived their right to be heard.
Barstool was found to have broken two rules after hosting a live event outside the University of Toledo football stadium on November 15. During the aforementioned event, dubbed the “Barstool College Football Show,” Barstool promoted its sportsbook by promoting pre-registration in Ohio along with the “mycash” loyalty program operated at PENN’s four commercial casino/racino operations can be used in the state.
Ohio sports betting legislation specifically prohibits sports and casino advertising and promotion on the college or campus, which was Barstool’s first violation, the second being “targeting customers who are under the age of 21.”
DraftKings was also found to have committed multiple violations. First, in December, it was discovered that DraftKings had sent out a mailer promoting its sportsbook to over 2,500 Ohio residents who were under the legal gambling age, 21. The mailers offered up to $200 in free bets and a QR code If scanned, it would enable a user to download DraftKings mobile sportsbook agent. This serious violation of underage juveniles was fined $350,000.
The remaining $150,000 was awarded for violating Ohio law regarding free bet promotions. DraftKings offered $200 in free bets if a customer wagered at least $5 first. Ohio law states that operators can only advertise something as free if the customer does not have to put in their own capital to take advantage of the offer.
Stephanie Sherman, DraftKings Chief Marketing Officer, commented, “We want to emphasize that we take these issues very seriously and that ensuring safe and responsible gaming really underscores all of our efforts.”
Chris Soriano, PENN Entertainment’s Chief Compliance Officer, said at the hearing, “We are proud of our compliance culture here today and proud of our responsibility as an operator for the many years that we have been operating in Ohio. In this respect we have missed the mark. We accept responsibility for this…we acknowledge that we have violated Ohio regulations and Ohio law in this regard. We admit that we missed the target and we regret that this happened.”
“The sports gaming industry has been repeatedly reminded of the rules and standards governing advertising and promotions, but continues to flout Ohio laws,” said Matthew Schuler, executive director of the OCCC, in a press release. “These repeated breaches leave the Commission with no choice but to take administrative action to bring operators into compliance. The Commission takes responsible gambling seriously – and expects the industry to value it too.”
