Ohio gambling watchdog fines Caesars Sportsbook $150k
- By: Tebearau Egbe
- January 19, 2023
- LikeUnlikeLike
- 692 Views
On Wednesday, the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) fined Caesars Sportsbook the sum of $150,000 for violating its advertising regulations.
The sportsbook was found running ads using promising “free bets”, which the gaming regulator has banned from the industry. The state of Ohio also requires that operators include information in all ads on how problem gamblers can get help, which Caesars failed to do.
It did not take long for Caesars to rectify this after it was brought to the firm’s attention. However, this did not stop the OCCC from issuing a fine.
According to the assistant general counsel for Caesars Entertainment, Jeff Hendricks, the ads were run by an affiliate company. He also said Caesars had cut ties with the company.
“We are sorry for the issue that was identified here, and we were eager to work quickly with commission staff to settle this,” said Hendricks.
“We aggressively went out to make sure this is a top priority for us. We’ve made sure that all other affiliates have been made aware of the penalties for this.”
The OCCC Chair, June Taylor, also commended the operator for its swift response.
“The fact that your organization terminated this affiliate relationship not only speaks volumes about your values and your philosophy and your leadership, but I think for us, it’s a model in compliance,” she said.
“We hope those that are listening also are learning.”
The Executive Director at OCCC, Matt Schuler, added that if other operators emulated Caesers’ move, then a good percentage of the issues they have with the commission would be non-existent.
“If every, every licensee followed the path that Mr. Hession just laid out for Caesars Sportsbook, I believe 90% to 95% of the problem we are trying to solve would be rectified,” Schuler said.
“If the other sportsbooks do the same, we may not likely have to revisit this. And so we believe this is a real solution, as the chair, said a model of compliance.”
The commission’s Director of Communications, Jessica Franks, also commended Caesars: “We do appreciate the work that Caesars has done in going well above and beyond what the commission was asking in addressing this issue.”
The sportsbook has the right to appeal the verdict on the fine imposed by the commission. However, it has chosen not to take that path, accepting full responsibility for its negligence.
Caesars is not the only sportsbook to have been fined since the Ohio sports betting industry launched on January 1 of this year. Weeks earlier, DraftKings and BetMGM were also fined $150,000 by the OCCC for similar breaches.
The fines collected by the OCCC are usually transferred to the state’s Sports Gaming Revenue Fund, which is used to service sports, education, problem gambling projects, and other sectors within the state.
You may also like
Join the Betting Planet team!
Are you passionate about sports betting? Sports news writers required TODAY!
Experienced preferred but not essential. (All apps considered).
View Careers at Race MediaTop Online Casinos
Latest Betting News
- Browns @ Broncos NFL Monday betting picks | Week 13
- Jack Draper credits newfound maturity for career-best season
- NZ v England: Latham unfazed by Black Caps’ fielding woes
- South Africa rises to 2nd in WTC after big win against Sri Lanka
- England take command on day three of First Test vs New Zealand
- NFL Sunday Week 13 free preview and betting picks | December 1
- South Africa near victory in Durban Test against Sri Lanka
- La Liga betting tips, prop picks & best odds | Matchday 15
- EPL Matchweek 13 betting picks & odds | Premier League 2024-25
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024 betting preview & free predictions | F1
Casino Guides
- Safest online casino jurisdictions
- How to guides
- How to win at pokies
- How to play online pokies
- PaysafeCard online casino deposits
- MasterCard Online Casinos
- Online Casinos Accepting POLi
- 32Red Casino Review
- All Slots Casino Review
- Boombet Casino review
- Horse racing games at casinos
- Credit card deposits at online casinos
- Films about blackjack
- Live dealer casinos
- How to play live dealer blackjack party
- Online Blackjack
- Top online casinos 2024
- Online casino deposits
- MasterCard Online Casinos
- Online Casinos Accepting POLi
- PaysafeCard online casino deposits
- Online slots
- Playing Pai Gow Poker on the Internet
- Online keno
- Online poker
- Online poker tournament structures
- Real money online roulette 2024
- Online multi-wheel roulette – what is it?
- How to play online scratch cards in 2024
- Sit & Go online poker tournaments
- Skrill e-wallet deposits at online casinos
- Visa online casino deposits
Sports Betting Guides
Casino Games
Deposits & Withdrawals
Football
Basketball
Top Country Betting sites
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Armenia
- Australia
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Brazil
- Canada
- Dominican Republic
- Germany
- Ghana
- Grenada
- India
- Indonesia
- Italy
- Kenya
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Ireland
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- Norway
- Philippines
- Singapore
- South Africa
- Turkey
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- Vietnam
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe