OCCC orders licensees to cut ties with predictive markets in Ohio
Commission demands immediate cessation and compliance notice by 30 October.
Key Takeaways
- The Ohio Casino Control Commission ordered licensees to cease services to predictive markets offering sporting-event contracts and to notify compliance by 30 October.
- The action follows a Sixth Circuit ruling that allowed Ohio to apply its gambling laws to predictive markets.
- The OCCC reported licensees provided liquidity, market making and technology services to predictive markets, raising suitability concerns.
- The commission sent cease-and-desist orders to ten exchanges and brokers; Plus500US has confirmed compliance while Kalshi and Polymarket are litigating.
- The OCCC warned non-compliance may lead to reopened suitability probes and suspension or revocation of licences.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission ordered its licensees and applicants to cease immediately any services to operators of predictive markets that offer contracts on sporting events in Ohio and gave them until 30 October to notify compliance. The intervention follows a Sixth Circuit decision that allowed Ohio to apply its gambling laws to those markets, and the prior issuance of cease-and-desist orders to ten platforms and brokers.
Scope of the OCCC warning
Interim Executive Director Andromeda Morrison confirmed at Wednesday’s meeting that the commission is “deeply concerned” that some licensees “continue to facilitate, support, or otherwise provide services” to predictive markets offering contracts on sporting events in Ohio without a licence. The OCCC warned that those activities could cost providers their licence.
For the purposes of the guidance, the commission defines licensees as: fantasy contest operators, sports gaming proprietors, management service providers, mobile management service providers, vendors, key employees of proprietors and management vendors, certified independent integrity monitors, certified independent testing laboratories, and applicants for any of those licences or certifications.
Services identified and suitability risk
The OCCC said it has reports that certain licensees provide services to predictive markets, including provision of liquidity and market making, integrity monitoring, and services related to equipment, data security and other technologies. The commission noted those relationships raise serious suitability concerns.
“As you are aware, maintaining suitability is a continuing obligation of licensure,” the OCCC warned in the letter. “A licensee’s decision to provide services to, partner with or otherwise support an entity engaged in unlicensed sports gaming in Ohio reflects on the licensee’s character, integrity, honesty, and reputation.”
The commission said non‑compliance may result in the reopening of suitability investigations, and in the suspension or revocation of licences.
Exceptions and prior actions
The letter includes an exception for licensees that also operate as futures commission merchants or introducing brokers on platforms regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, provided they block customers in Ohio from accessing directly or indirectly contracts on sporting events.
Earlier this month the OCCC sent cease-and-desist orders to ten exchanges and brokers, giving them until last Friday to withdraw the offer of sporting-event contracts in the state. The commission told [news](/news) that Plus500US is the only operator that has confirmed compliance. Kalshi and Polymarket, according to sources cited by Legal Sports Report on Monday, are litigating against the commission; others remain in discussions with regulators.
Status of discussions and next steps
The OCCC said it has held dialogue with several companies and that many have engaged in discussions in “good faith”. At the monthly meeting, Morrison described the talks as “productive” and said “those issues remain under investigation” and that she expects to report further progress soon.
Chairman Thomas Stickrath quipped in the session: “I know the commissioners appreciate you getting us sued each week, Director.”
The commission continues to monitor the situation while it awaits compliance notices before 30 October.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the OCCC require of its licensees regarding predictive markets?
The OCCC requires licensees to immediately cease any services to operators of predictive markets that offer contracts on sporting events in Ohio and to notify the commission of compliance by 30 October. The letter identifies services such as provision of liquidity, market making and technology support as problematic.
Why can Ohio apply its law to predictive markets?
A decision by the Sixth Circuit cleared the way for Ohio to enforce its gambling laws against predictive markets. After that ruling, the OCCC issued cease-and-desist orders to ten exchanges and brokers to stop offering contracts on sporting events in the state.
Which operators have responded to the OCCC orders?
Plus500US is the only operator the commission says has confirmed compliance. According to Legal Sports Report, Kalshi and Polymarket are litigating against the commission; other platforms remain in discussions with regulators.
What sanctions does the OCCC warn for non-compliant licensees?
The OCCC warned that failure to comply may lead to the reopening of suitability investigations and to the suspension or revocation of licences. The letter emphasises that maintaining suitability is a continuing obligation of licensure.
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About the author
Miguel Sandoval
Regulatory Affairs Correspondent
Miguel Sandoval tracks gambling legislation, licensing, and regulator enforcement — from Spain's DGOJ and the Latin American authorities to the UKGC, the MGA, and the state-by-state map in North America. The reports answer three questions precisely — what changed, where, and who it affects — with jurisdictions, dates, and penalties cited exactly as published. Operators and compliance officers read Miguel Sandoval to know which rulebook moved before their next meeting.
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