Ohio is taking a hard look at how fans fund their bets, and regulators are zeroing in on one big target: credit cards.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission on Wednesday rolled out a draft rule that would ban the use of credit cards to deposit money for sports wagers, both on betting apps and at kiosks. Debit cards would still be allowed, but the change could reshape how casual and heavy bettors alike move money into their accounts as operators and lawmakers debate how tightly to police the fast-growing market.
The commission posted the proposal and is accepting public comment through May 15. The draft would specifically block credit card deposits for sports betting while leaving debit card funding untouched, according to Cleveland.com. Republican state Rep. Gary Click told the outlet that many people who lose heavily on gambling end up saying, "just ran up my credit cards," arguing that easy access to credit can drag problem gamblers even deeper into debt. The posting kicks off a brief window for feedback before regulators decide whether to lock the rule into place.
In practice, many of the biggest players have already started to move in that direction. DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, BetMGM and bet365 have either stopped or are phasing out credit card deposits, industry trackers show, according to Bookies. A statewide ban would largely formalize changes that are already in motion at major books, though operators would still need to retool compliance and payment systems to match whatever final rule the state adopts.
A national trend
Ohio is not acting in a vacuum. Around the country, regulators and sportsbooks have been dialing back card-funded wagering, especially when it involves borrowed money. Industry trackers list a growing line of states that already prohibit credit card deposits and others that are actively weighing similar bans. As of early May, more jurisdictions are moving toward outright prohibitions, driven by concerns about gambling-related debt and banking compliance, according to SportsHandle.
What happens next in Ohio
The public comment period wraps up May 15. After that, the commission could finalize a credit card ban that might take effect later this summer, Cleveland.com reports. At the same time, lawmakers have floated a broader package dubbed the Save Ohio Sports Act, but observers say a sweeping overhaul of the betting law is unlikely to make it through the legislature before the current session ends in December. That leaves the commission's rulemaking as the quickest route to any near-term changes.
Reaction and skepticism
Problem gambling advocates told Axios that clamping down on credit cards is a useful move, but far from a silver bullet. Bettors who are determined to keep playing can still tap cash advances, prepaid options or offshore markets that sit outside state oversight. Industry groups counter that many operators have already tightened their deposit channels and compliance tools, so a formal statewide ban would mainly codify practices that much of the market is already following.
Over the next several days, as comments roll in, bettors, bookmakers and lawmakers will all be watching the commission's docket. The next move will show whether Ohio is ready to turn operator caution into a permanent rule.
