Sports betting operators warned about rule violations in Ohio

This week, the Ohio Casino Control Commission warned the sports betting industry of violating their rules for advertisements.

Legalized sports betting goes into effect Sunday, January 1, but just days ahead of the launch the state has told operators to make their messages more clear.

"We do remind our advertisers that they can't be, you know, targeting those under the age of 21," said Jessica Franks with the Ohio Casino Control Commission.

Franks told 3News that the Ohio Casino Control Commission has granted licenses to more than 1,000 businesses. Most of the licenses are for sports betting kiosks, which will be inside bars, restaurants and grocery stores.

The Ohio Lottery Commission will oversee the kiosks, and told 3News that at least 750 retailers will have the kiosks operating on Sunday.

Franks told 3News that there will be 12 retail sportsbooks in the state of Ohio. The Browns, Cavaliers and the Guardians have all been approved to have a sportsbook inside their stadium.

The majority of sports bets will be placed online or with a mobile device. According to Franks, there will be 16 different operators launching platforms in the state of Ohio on Sunday.

Advertisements for sports betting operators have taken over social media platforms, televisions and the radio, but some have crosses the line drawn by the Ohio Casino Control Commission.

Franks told 3News that they saw several advertisements without responsible gambling messages.

"It wasn't conspicuous in the case of certain video or you know, radio ads," said Franks. "The message that was being read was being read super fast you couldn't hear it, you couldn't hear it clearly to understand what number to call or the print for these messages is so small that you can't read them without having to zoom in."

Franks told 3News you shouldn't have to zoom in to see the responsible gambling messages within the advertisements.

The Ohio Casino Control Commission took action after a violation at the University of Toledo in November.

"We have issued a notice of violation to Penn Sports Interactive," said Franks.

The operator hosted a college football show on the campus of the university, and Franks says the Ohio Casino Control Commission is seeking a fine.

"During the show they did sort of promote one of the sportsbook apps and so that violated our rules against advertising on college campuses," said Franks. "As well as targeting individuals that were under the age of 21."

Franks told 3News that Penn Sports Interactive will have a chance to request a hearing on the violation, but their app will be one of 16 that launches on Sunday.

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