Ohio targets licensees supporting sports prediction markets
Ohio’s gambling regulator has ordered sports gaming and fantasy contest licensees and applicants to stop activities supporting unlicensed sports event contracts offered to state residents. Companies must confirm compliance by October 30, putting their existing licensing relationships within the scope of the enforcement action.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission confirmed the notices at its October 21 meeting. The order requires the relevant activities to cease immediately; October 30 is the deadline for reporting compliance, rather than permission to continue operating until that date.
The commission’s concerns extend beyond operators offering contracts directly. Services identified in reporting on the notice include liquidity provision, market making, equipment, data security, integrity monitoring, and other technology supplied to prediction market businesses.
Suppliers and testing providers also face scrutiny over their prediction market relationships
Holland & Knight’s analysis of the notices says the affected businesses include suppliers, vendors, key employees, certified testing laboratories, and integrity monitors. The commission has warned that involvement could prompt renewed suitability investigations or the suspension or revocation of licenses.
The action follows written guidance issued in August 2025 warning that support for sports prediction markets could affect licensing suitability. Ohio has also pursued prediction market operators directly, sending cease-and-desist notices over sports event contracts offered without state gaming authorization.
The underlying legal dispute remains contested. Polymarket has filed a federal lawsuit challenging Ohio’s position, arguing that federal commodities law preempts the state’s requirements. The commission said it was reviewing the complaint with the attorney general’s office and would defend Ohio’s sports gaming laws.
