One of the central issues for Ohio as the state debates sports betting regulations is who gets to participate. Should sportsbooks be limited to the four casinos and seven racinos or opened up?
Bowling alleys want a share.
Casinos “know that the online platform and the mobile apps will capture anywhere from 90 to 95 percent of the market,” said David Corey, executive vice president of the Bowling Centers Association of Ohio, representing 150 businesses and their 5,000 employees. “So all we’re really asking for is 5 percent. That’s why this is so ludicrous.”
Corey said lottery kiosks could be modified for sports betting. “The infrastructure is already in place.”
Another part of the debate has been over whether sports betting should be regulated by the Ohio Casino Control Commission, which oversees the casinos or the Ohio Lottery Commission which regulates racetracks’ slots parlors and lotteries.
“If popular sports betting is allowed only at casinos, Ohio lottery profits would most likely decline, and schools would have to fight even harder for adequate funding,” said William Phillis, executive director of the Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy of School Funding.
Lawmakers must decide whether businesses that sell lottery tickets like retail stores, bars, restaurants, veterans and fraternity organizations should participate, according to the Toledo Blade.
Legislators have listened to industry leaders on what can work in Ohio and how, according to the Ohio Capital Journal.
Casinos insist they have the capability to operate such a business and all the regulations it entails. Yet many want wagers to be available at any retailer or organization licensed to sell lottery tickets.
Rep. Brigid Kelly expects to introduce a bill which taps the casino commission as the regulatory agency and sets a tax rate of 8 percent.
The Senate Select Committee on Gaming has held hearings on a sports betting framework.
Eric Schippers, a senior vice president for Penn National Gaming, told the committee that “it is critical that the operation of retail and mobile sports betting be limited to existing licensed gaming operators, who have invested billions in economic development in Ohio, and our designated skin partners.”
Penn National operates four of Ohio’s 11 casino or racinos.
“We believe allowing two or three skins per licensee in Ohio would mean far more upfront license fees and revenues to the state,” Schippers said.
“Operating such a complex security system is expensive and extremely labor intensive. We spend millions of dollars annually on surveillance equipment, surveillance personnel, and security officers at each of our properties to maintain a safe and secure environment for our customers.”
Greg Beswick, of the Ohio Fair Gaming Coalition, wants to open it up to a wide number of businesses.
“We’re very interested in making sure (sports betting) can happen from everywhere,” Beswick said.
