The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) today unanimously voted to fine Caesars $150,000 for violating Ohio sports betting advertising rules, the first approved fine for a sports betting operator in the state.

Caesars staff members will also have to engage in additional training as part of the ruling.

Several additional violations are currently open in the state, which may see hundreds of thousands in fines levied to sports betting operators. DraftKings, PENN Entertainment, and BetMGM are all awaiting hearings in front of the OCCC for violations of their own.

The commissioners did laud Caesars for taking swift action to remediate its error.

Ohio sports betting advertisement rules heavily regulated

The Ohio Casino Control Commission issued its notice to Caesars (and DraftKings and BetMGM) two weeks ago for violating Ohio law and administrative rules pertaining to state sports betting advertising and promotions.

Caesars, DraftKings, and BetMGM reportedly sent out sports betting advertisements on several platforms that did not include a required responsible gaming message. Additionally, the commission noted that all three companies advertised promotions or bonuses that used the term “free” or “risk-free” when patrons were required to incur a loss or risk their own money to obtain the promotion.

Appearing before the OCCC, Eric Hession, President of Caesars Digital, said the problem came from a relationship with a third-party marketing affiliate. The affiliate, he said, did not follow proper procedures and failed to give Caesars final review of advertising material that went out to state bettors.

The materials did not contain a proper responsible gaming message and included references to “free bets.” Hession told the OCCC he is confident that if Caesars had received final approval of the advertising materials, the error would have been caught.

The contract with the third-party marketing affiliate was terminated nationally as a result of their actions, Hession said.

“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,” he said.

If every licensee reviews their third-party affiliate marketing relationships as Caesars Entertainment has, 90% to 95% of all regulatory violations would be resolved, OCCC Executive Director Matt Schuler said.

OCCC Chair June E. Taylor thanked Caesars Entertainment for their decisive action to remediate their advertising errors.

“The fact that your organization terminated this affiliate relationship not only speaks volumes about your values, philosophy, and leadership, but for us it’s a model of compliance,” she said.

WynnBET approved for Ohio license

Prior to the violation hearing, the OCCC also unanimously awarded a mobile management service provider license to WynnBET. The sports betting operator will be tethered to Jack Thistledown Racino in North Randall.

It’s the first sports betting license for WynnBET in the Buckeye State. The operator has no current partnerships for retail sports betting.