Ohio Gambling Commission – OCCC Duties & Licenses
The Ohio gambling commission is the regulatory organ of all gambling-related matters in the Buckeye State. In this article, you can find information about the Ohio Casino Control Commission, its duties, and main objectives. Read on to find out the basic requirements for a gambling license for operators.
Who Regulates Gambling in Ohio, USA?
Having a gambling license issued by the Ohio gaming commission is mandatory for all operators who intend to offer their services to Ohioans. In the element below, you can see the main sections of this article. First, we will give brief information about the history of gambling in Ohio.
We will tell you how the Ohio Casino Control Commission works and issues gambling licenses. Continue reading to find out which are the brick-and-mortar and online casinos and the plans for future online gambling.
Gambling Laws in Ohio State, USA
Through the centuries, gambling in Ohio state has been legal or illegal depending on the government’s decisions. The recent history of gambling in Ohio shows that horse race wagering was legalized in 1933, and the state lottery in the 1970s. Before 2009, Ohioans who wished to play casino games had to cross state borders.
Everything went into place once the gambling-related matters in the Buckeye State were regulated by the Article XV Miscellaneous, Ohio Constitution (Section 6: Lotteries, charitable bingo, casino gaming). The Ohio Revised Code, the Casino Control Law, the Ohio Administrative Code, and the other supportive regulations also have information about gambling-related matters. Read on to find out what the Commission does and, later on, how to get a license.
State of Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC)
After the changes in the laws, in 2009 the Casino Control Commission in Ohio came to life. It’s duties are to regulate all gambling-related matters and the top online casinos in the USA who offer their services in the the Buckeye State.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission is located in Columbus, OH, but its authority covers the entire state. The structure of the State of Ohio gaming commission is consisting of seven members with four-year terms. The daily duties of the OCCC members include monitoring the integrity of the casino and wagering games, issuing licenses, investigating illegal gambling activities, monitoring the operators, and more.
According to the laws, Casino Control Commission in Ohio has the right and obligation to inspect the casinos and their gaming equipment and audit their gaming operations. Furthermore, the Commission can give penalties for violations and illegal activities. In more severe illegal gambling cases, the OCCC works with the local judicial authorities.
OCCC’s Licenses & Licensing Procedure
When it comes to licenses, the Ohio gaming commission may not be as busy as the Washington State Gambling Commission, but the casinos, rase courts, and other gaming establishments are a more than enough. One of the most important duties of the Commission is to issue, monitor, and revoke gambling licenses.
Types of Gambling Licenses in Ohio
The Ohio Revised Code 3772 states that any casino operator (a person or a company), their employees, and anyone who supplies gaming or gambling services, goods, or equipment must have a gaming-related vendor license. Ohio Casino Control Commission application can be filed for the following gaming licenses:
- Casino License
- Management Company License
- Holding Company License
- Video Lottery Sales Agent License
The licenses are permanent (renewable) and temporary and cover all forms of wagering and games of skills. It is important to know that unlicensed gambling establishments are illegal, and all players can face punishments for playing there. We recommend players check the license of the establishment before playing.
Ohio Licensing Procedure
To acquire either one of the licenses listed above, the operator must first meet the Ohio Casino Control Commission licensing requirements. Details about each license procedure and required documents can be found on the OCCC website. There is also information on contacting the Commission and tips for fast applications.
The gambling licensing process in Ohio is simple, but there is a lot of documentation to be filed. The most important thing is that the operator must not be involved with any illegal gambling or other illegal activities before the application. All applicants must prove their financial stability and assist the Commission’s members during their licensing investigation. It must be safe and secure US gambling site.
Some of the things the OCCC inspection checks for are the electronic gaming devices; their shipping, storage, and work are up to the state’s standards. A reason for rejection of the license could be not meeting the anti-money laundering requirements, political involvement, credits offered to patrons, and more inappropriate actions.
The operator must pay an application fee and a license fee. Once the Ohio gambling commission approves the candidate, the operator receives a license valid for three years. After that period, the license can be renewed (within 90 days of the expiration date). The Commission can deny the license or perform investigations whenever one is required.
Legal Casinos & Games in Ohio, USA
There are no tribal casinos, but many land-based and online casinos are monitored by Casino Control Commission, Ohio, USA. Players can also find gaming machines at many bars, restaurants, and other establishments, allowing visitors over 21 years of age. The sports arenas, racetracks, stadiums, and sportsbooks.
Under the Ohio gambling bill, all operators are obligated to provide responsible gambling information and features like self-exclusion to monitor the player’s legal gambling age. Alongside this, they must pay the Ohio gambling tax rate on their revenue and assist the players in paying their own winners’ taxes.
Land-Based Casinos in the Buckeye State
The main focus of the Casino Control Commission Ohio is the land-based operators. The four casinos in Ohio, Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati, Hollywood Casino Columbus, Hollywood Casino Toledo, and Jack Cleveland Casino, opened between May 2012 and March 2013. They all offer gaming machines, slots, table games, and opportunities for relaxation and entertainment in their hotels.
Players can also visit Ohio state’s seven racinos and see live horse and greyhound races. Those gambling establishments opened between 2012 and 2014 near the popular racetracks. The land-based gambling establishments offer race wagering, gaming machines, and after January 2023, even sports betting.
Buckeye State’s Online Gambling
Knowing how liberal the best online casinos in Pennsylvania, USA are, Ohioans can only dream that one day the local casinos will be the same. The state of Ohio Casino Control Commission already regulates the legal online games, horse racing, and DFS (daily fantasy sports). The authorities are yet to legalize online gambling (casinos and poker) and sports betting.
We know that the top online casinos in New Jersey, USA offer many different wagering options. The great news for the Ohioans is that since House Bill 29 passed, online sports betting will become legal after January 2023. After that, it is up to the operators to gain Ohio Casino Control Commission license status for sportsbooks.
Ohio Gambling Commission
In this article, you learned that the Ohio gambling commission’s legal name is Ohio Casino Control Commission and what its duties are. We will answer a few interesting questions about OCCC’s work and gambling matters in the Buckeye State.
1️⃣ Is gambling legal in Ohio?
The Ohio gambling laws, mainly the Ohio State Constitution, list many legal gambling games and activities. Players can visit brick-and-mortar casinos and racinos or play online. We recommend before playing at a casino to ensure that the Ohio gambling commission licenses it.
2️⃣ Who regulates the casinos in Ohio, USA?
The main authority responsible for the gambling establishments is Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC). The OCCC issues permits and licenses to operators, casino employees, and other gambling-related individuals and companies. Any private citizen and company matching the requirements can gain a license and offer gambling games within state limits.
3️⃣ How do casinos in Ohio get their gambling licenses?
All Ohio gambling licenses are issued by the Ohio gaming commission. An operator can acquire a license after meeting the requirements and paying the necessary fees. There are different types of gambling licenses depending on the games offered. The OCCC license has three years of validity and can be renewed.
4️⃣ How many casinos are in Ohio?
The Casino Control Commission in Ohio supervises and regulates land-based and online casinos. There are 11 brick-and-mortar casinos, and racinos opened to all players in the Buckeye State. Online wagering is still establishing itself, but it is also legal and improving every year.
5️⃣ Can you gamble online in Ohio, USA?
Besides the land-based wagering and gambling activities, the state of Ohio Casino Control Commission monitors the legal gambling games in Ohio. Currently, players bet on DFS, horse races, online casinos, and more. The latest changes in the law will allow online sports betting after January 2023.