Ohio regulator explains credit card betting rule amid ban proposal
The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) is proposing to prohibit the use of credit cards to fund sports betting accounts, formalising a practice that several major operators in the United States have already adopted voluntarily as part of responsible gambling measures.
The proposal comes as Ohio lawmakers separately consider House Bill 971, the “Save Ohio Sports Act,” which would ban online sports betting and live wagering across the state. While both developments could reshape Ohio’s sports betting market, the proposed rule is from the state’s gaming regulator, while HB 971 is a legislative decision for the Ohio General Assembly.
SiGMA News spoke exclusively with Andromeda Morrison, Interim Executive Director of the OCCC, about the proposed credit card restrictions, industry readiness, HB 971 and concerns over illegal gambling.
Closing payment loopholes
The Commission’s proposed rule would prohibit licensed sportsbooks from accepting credit card deposits. Although several operators have already stopped accepting direct credit card payments, bettors can still use third-party digital wallets such as Apple Pay and PayPal, or prepaid cards which may be linked to a credit card.
Morrison said the proposal is intended to ensure that those indirect payment methods also comply with the rule.
“Licensed Ohio operators are required to ensure that the funding sources used to make deposits are limited to approved methods. This includes third-party wallet products such as Apple Pay or PayPal. Licensed operators must ensure that the payment providers they work with comply with this requirement. Therefore, if this rule is finalised, patrons will not be able to use credit cards to fund deposits through third-party wallets.”
She said the Commission expects little disruption because many in the regulated market have already voluntarily adopted similar restrictions.
“Given that several licensed operators have already moved to restrict credit card deposits, including a significant portion of the market both by number of operators and overall market share, the Commission does not anticipate a substantial industry impact from this regulatory change. Ohio operators are well positioned to ensure full compliance.”
Creating a uniform standard
Major operators, including DraftKings and FanDuel, have already phased out direct credit card deposits in recent years. According to Morrison, the proposed rule reflects developments already taking place across the industry rather than a response to a single incident. “The Commission is consistently working to ensure our regulatory framework reflects the ‘real world’ realities of the Ohio sports gaming market.”
She said operators themselves had recognised the risks associated with credit card-funded betting, making it appropriate for the regulator to establish a consistent standard.
“The voluntary steps by several operators in Ohio have made it clear that a regulatory change was prudent to reflect risks that the industry itself had identified. The Commission recognises the proactive work by several operators, and not just the largest operators, to curb the risk posed by credit cards, but as the regulator it is important to create uniformity across all licensees.”
Regulator remains neutral on HB 971
Separate from the Commission’s proposed rule, House Bill 971 would prohibit online sports betting and live wagering if passed by the Ohio General Assembly.
Asked whether such a ban could drive consumers towards offshore bookmakers, Morrison emphasised that the Commission’s responsibility is to enforce, not shape, state policy. “As the regulator, our role is not to advocate for or against a legislative ban—it’s to provide facts, enforce the law, and protect consumers under whatever framework the General Assembly chooses.”
She added that the Commission would assist lawmakers by providing objective information during consideration of the bill.
“We look forward to being a resource and providing accurate, impartial information to any lawmaker as they debate the important issues presented in HB 971. In the end, the Commission will work diligently to implement and enforce Ohio law and the responsibilities entrusted to us by the General Assembly.”
Strengthening the legal market
The discussion comes as the OCCC continues to crack down on illegal gambling operations, including a recent enforcement action against an illegal gambling operation in Sidney, Ohio.
Morrison said the Commission views illegal gambling as a broader threat to consumers and public confidence.
“The Commission has always believed that illegal gambling—whether slot machines in Sidney or offshore online sportsbooks—presents serious risks to communities. These operations are unregulated, often predatory, and they undermine public confidence in Ohio’s legal gaming system. Working with local law enforcement, the Sidney operation is one of the latest in a series of actions to seize and disable illegal gambling machines in Ohio.”
She rejected suggestions that stronger safeguards in the regulated market would push bettors towards illegal alternatives.
“Consumer protection is not about restricting legal play to the point of driving people underground. It’s about ensuring the legal market is safer, more transparent, and more responsible than the alternatives.”
Instead, Morrison said robust regulation and enforcement strengthen the legal market while discouraging consumers from using unlicensed operators.
“Our enforcement actions against illegal operations demonstrate that we take the black market seriously. But our regulatory actions are about strengthening the legal market, not weakening it. When the regulated system is trustworthy, well-supervised, and consumer-focused, Ohioans are far less likely to seek out unsafe illegal platforms,” she concluded.
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