The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) is considering a rule that would prevent licensed sportsbooks from sending promotional messages for 48 hours after users make changes with their responsible gambling tools. Changes could include setting limits on deposits or gaming sessions. The proposal would cover promotional emails, push notifications, and other direct advertising. It’s the latest effort by Ohio regulators to strengthen consumer protections.
The OCCC’s proposed amendment would introduce a temporary marketing restriction whenever an existing user activates or modifies a responsible gambling tool.
For example, a bettor who reduces their daily deposit limit from $500 to $100 would stop receiving direct sportsbook promotions for the next 48 hours. The restriction would also apply when customers change wagering limits or use other responsible gambling tools.
The rule covers promotional messages through e-mail and push notifications. However, it wouldn’t apply to responsible gambling limits users set when they first create their accounts. It’s only when a user makes changes after already having been registered on the platform.
It’s worth noting that this proposal would not prevent users from placing wagers during this 48-hour restriction period. The focus is on promotions here.
If approved, the amendment would require licensed operators to adjust how they communicate with users who use responsible gambling tools. A change to an account’s limits would trigger a temporary pause on direct promotional messages.
That could affect how sportsbooks distribute bonus offers and reminders on promotions. Operators would need to make sure users aren’t receiving targeted advertisements during the restricted period, even if those messages were scheduled in advance through automation.
Promotions are an important part of how sportsbooks attract and retain customers. However, sending betting incentives immediately after someone adjusts their gambling limits could cause an issue. That’s because there’s a chance that users who make changes to responsible gaming tools could be dealing with problem gambling.
Since this is a short period of 48 hours, the OCCC is attempting to make a reasonable suggestion that helps address problematic marketing while not limiting operators.
Under existing rules, sportsbooks must implement user-requested limits immediately or at the time specified by the bettor. Users can also establish automatically renewing limits rather than repeatedly adjusting their settings.
There are restrictions on relaxing those limits, too. Once a self-imposed limit takes effect, users generally cannot make it less restrictive until the applicable period expires.
The proposed marketing pause would build on these protections by addressing what happens after users use them. Instead of changing how betting limits work, it would regulate how sportsbooks communicate with customers afterward.
The marketing proposal follows another Ohio regulatory effort focused on how bettors fund their accounts. In July, the OCCC advanced a credit card ban that would prohibit customers from depositing borrowed money directly into online sportsbooks.
Major operators had already moved away from credit card deposits. DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, and bet365 had eliminated the payment method. In other words, the proposed restriction largely reflected changes already made by the industry. It was proposed because betting on credit can lead to problem gambling.
The latest marketing proposal builds on that by enhancing consumer protections. The OCCC is accepting written comments on the proposal until 5 p.m. ET on October 30, giving operators an opportunity to provide feedback.
