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The OCCC released its standards for sports betting advertising in June. In Friday\u2019s note, it said that it\u2019s seen operators break three \u201ccore tenets\u201d of the advertising standards. The three are: all ads must include RG messages; the audience needs to easily see, read, or hear the RG messaging; and the ads cannot target anyone under 21.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
As a result, the OCCC wants operators to \u201cimmediately review\u201d all of their materials ahead of the Jan. 1 launch to ensure it meets the state\u2019s RG standards and that they don\u2019t target the underaged.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe understand mistakes happen, but it is not a mistake when it appears to be this consistent,\u201d the memo stated.<\/p>\n
Concerns About Helpline Numbers<\/h2>\n Another significant concern is the problem gambling helpline number. Ohio regulations do not require a specific number. However, the guidelines indicate ads and commercials \u201cshould contain\u201d either the state\u2019s toll-free helpline (1-800-589-9966) or either 1-800 numbers from the National Council on Problem Gambling (1-800-522-4700 or 1-800-GAMBLER).<\/p>\n
The guidelines also call for RG messages to be \u201cconspicuous.\u201d The state does not give specific requirements but says it\u2019s inexcusable for those messages to be \u201cthe smallest font, lowest voice, or fastest speech\u201d in the marketing piece.<\/span><\/p>\n\nAn advertisement should not have to be zoomed in on, slowed down, or the volume turned up for an individual to see or hear a helpline number,\u201d<\/strong> the OCCC wrote Friday<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nThe state also considers multi-jurisdictional ads as non-compliant.<\/span><\/p>\nOCCC Doesn’t Want to Police Ads<\/h2>\n While Ohio plans to act against Barstool, the commission told industry stakeholders Friday that it does not want to manage sports betting marketing materials.<\/p>\n
In return, state gaming officials want sportsbooks to act responsibly.<\/p>\n
\nAct in accordance with your stated goals on responsible gambling,\u201d <\/strong>the OCCC memo stated. \u201cWe look forward to helping the industry do so.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nSo far, the OCCC has conditionally approved 20 mobile management services providers. Those are the online sports betting operators partnering with Ohio casinos, sports teams or other businesses. In addition, the commission has similarly approved a dozen management services providers planning to open up to 19 retail sportsbooks. However, not all of those retail sites or online apps will be launching on Jan. 1.<\/p>\n
Some, including Betfred, BetMGM, Hard Rock and JACK Casino Cleveland, have already announced their plans for New Year\u2019s Day.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
At most workplaces, the most wonderful time of the year is also the least productive. But that\u2019s definitely not the case for the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC). There are now less than 10 days before the state flips the switch on sports betting. OCCC staffers have been working to complete application reviews and inspections […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":249551,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[13592,1074],"tags":[81911,84120,80968],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Ohio Sports Betting: Commission Wants Ads Checked for RG Messaging<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n