Ohio has some of the strictest Internet gaming laws in the country. However, this has not stopped the state from becoming a hub for sports betting apps. Here is a quick run down of the status of wagering on sports in Ohio:
Online Sports Betting Is Generally Legal
You might be wondering if online sports betting is legal in Ohio. To put it simply, yes, although the details can get a little complicated. The state actually has a special exemption for Internet gaming due to the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA).
This federal law attempts to prevent banks and other financial institutions from processing deposits and withdrawals for illegal gambling sites.
As a result, online sportsbooks are classified as “financial institutions”, and are, therefore, exempted from the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006.
This exemption only pertains to sportsbooks that are entirely online. You cannot open up a betting account with an online sportsbook and then use a traditional sportsbook to place bets. The two are not affiliated with one another.
If you’re looking to place a sports bet in Ohio, you’ll need to visit an offshore website that is entirely legal. Bookmaker is one of the most popular sports betting websites that is licensed in jurisdictions that allow for online gambling. This website is regulated by the National Football League (NFL), the National Hockey League (NHL), the National Basketball League (NBL), and the United States Football League (USFL).
Mobile Betting Is Also Legal
Mobile betting is also legal in Ohio. This is thanks to the Mobile Internet Courtesies Act, which was passed in 2011.
This legislation allows for mobile wagering as long as the provider is registered with the attorney general’s office and adheres to certain guidelines.
One of these guidelines is that the game must be approved for real money wagering by the NCAA or the NFL.
Further, all bets must be placed within the state of Ohio, and only customers who are 19 years old or older can participate.
It is worth noting that the act only applies to commercial ventures. This means that individual sports betting is still illegal, which is a common practice in the United States.
However, it is worth noting that individual sports betting is mostly frowned upon in the country. Public places like stadiums and arenas often have no problem with people betting on their teams. However, the practice is still considered to be somewhat taboo.
Collective Bargaining
Another relevant fact about sports in Ohio is that it is an “integrated sports network”. This means that all of the teams in the state are represented by a labor union.
The collective bargaining agreement allows for members of the public to attend major league baseball games and watch them play.
This is because the stadium and related amenities, such as food and drink, are funded through a user fee that is charged to the public. It is important to note that this agreement does not allow for individual fans to negotiate the price of tickets with the team.
If a member of the public wants to attend a game and the price is not within their budget, they cannot go to the trouble of getting a ticket. They have to wait until the next game, or attend a private party if they are really lucky.
Even though collective bargaining prevents certain fans from attending games, it also provides other benefits. For example, ticket prices are kept low; as a result, people in Ohio can afford to attend games more frequently.
This, in turn, provides another benefit. Sports fans in the state can follow the sport more closely because there are more games to attend. Additionally, ticket prices and availability are also improved because fewer people have to be excluded from attending games. Overall, it is a win-win situation for everyone involved.
Statewide Licensing
Just recently, Ohio passed a law that requires all “legal sports books” to be licensed by the state.
The legislation, which is known as the Professional and Amateur Sports Licensing Act, was signed by Governor DeWine in March 2019.
This law will go into effect in January 2021. However, licensed sports books are not required to take any action until at least 30 days after the bill is published in the state register.
As a result, it is likely that some sportsbooks will continue to operate illegally for the time being. However, at least some of them will become compliant with Ohio’s new legislation.
The law also requires bookmakers to be licensed in other states if they open an office or store in Ohio. They must also obtain a license in the state of residence. Failure to do so can result in fines of up to $25,000 per day, or $125,000 per month. This provision was added to ensure that bookmakers who are accused of wrongdoing are held accountable for their actions.
Interactive Gaming
In February 2019, the state of Ohio legalized “interactive gaming” statewide, including video, lottery, and wagering on sports.
The Ohio lottery is overseen by the Ohio attorney general’s office, and state-run horse racing tracks and greyhound racing tracks operate under a different set of regulations.
The Interactive Gaming Act makes it legal for games to be played at brick-and-mortar casinos and online, and it provides for up to seven years of protection from gaming machines. However, it does not allow for sportsbooks to be established in the state.
Although this will no doubt be a relief to some fans, it also has some drawbacks. For example, games played at brick-and-mortar casinos will now be subject to state taxes, and people will no longer be able to take advantage of some of the government-sponsored programs that help defer or pay off student loans.
In summary, Ohio has some of the strictest Internet gaming laws in the country. However, this has not stopped the state from becoming a hub for sports betting apps. As long as your wagering activity is legal in the state of Ohio, there really is no reason not to try out one of these apps. With the right research and preparation, it is possible to avoid getting in trouble with the law. When this happens, it usually means that you are doing everything correctly and the app provider had better respect these laws or they could face serious legal ramifications.