If all goes well, Ohio sports betting will be live in time for the NFL and maybe, if lucky, even the World Series.
That’s the take-away from state Sen. Kirk Schuring, the lead architect of sports betting legislation in the Buckeye State.
Schuring spoke to News Talk 1480 WHBC radio in Canton, Ohio, this morning and outlined the time frame for when sports bets can take place.
“Sometime I would think the mid to late fall we would have everything operational,” he said.
Sports Betting Application Process
Schuring’s comments came shortly before the Ohio Casino Control Commission sent out an email asking for comments on the application process.
The OCCC released draft copies of the Sports Gaming Supplier application, Key Sports Gaming Employee application, and the Standard Sports Gaming Employee application.
Comments on the applications are due by May 13. The OCCC made clear these are the only applications accepting comments at this time.
The OCC has previously announced that they expect to start accepting applications for sports betting licenses in June. It stipulated a July 15 deadline to file an application for a sports betting license.
Sports Betting Timeline Explained
Schuring said he has heard people express frustration that sports betting is not up and running yet, since Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 29 in December 2021. Lawmakers had overwhelmingly passed the bill earlier in the month.
He called the process “the continuing saga,” and reminded listeners that Ohio state law dictates when and how the program can be unveiled.
The Ohio Constitution stipulates that a law signed by the governor doesn’t take effect until 90 days after the signature, giving voters the chance to start a referendum drive if they are opposed, Schuring explained.
Furthermore, he added, once that 90-day period ends, another one begins establishing the rule-making process.
“And the other thing entering into play, when we did this…..we have the most comprehensive sports gaming law in the United States, with casinos, racinos, brick and mortar sportsbooks, sports franchises, sports lottery kiosks. All that requires rules,” he said.
“It is complicated and we are working diligently,” he explained. “All the interested parties said we want a universal start time. So even though some of this could be up and running here in the next few months, it can’t because we have to make sure all the other competitors are also starting at the same time.”
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