Sports betting has only been up and running in the state since January 1st, but already we’ve seen huge fines for DraftKings and Barstool Sports in Ohio. All together, the Ohio Casino Control Commission has collected $900,000 in fines just this year for a variety of violations. First, the fines for DraftKings stem from a direct mail campaign in the state which ended up being sent to some young adults under the legal gambling age. It seems that some of those on the list were not yet 21 years old. There were also violations for not including a problem gambling…

Ohio sports betting could become a reality. Two Ohio State Senators drafted a bill that with one sentence begins what is likely to be a high stakes, high volume debate. “It is the intent of the General Assembly to develop and enact legislation legalizing sports wagering,” the bill reads. With that, Senator John Eklund, who represents part of Geauga County dipped Ohio’s toe in the water of a sports wagering. For it to get green-lit, the Ohio House and Senate would need to approve it — and Ohio voters would need to vote to change the state Constitution. More on…

Ohio is shaping up to be one of the major battleground states for the daily fantasy sports industry next year, as a new piece of legislation has surfaced. The legislation comes after a bill that would make DFS illegal was introduced earlier this year. An attorney general memo this year also did little to clear up the legality of DFS in the state. Eight states passed DFS regulatory bills in 2016, with a renewed lobbying push from the industry expected across the country in the new year. State Senator Dave Burke introduced an industry-friendly piece of legislation that would formally…

Columbus Dispatch – Despite a multitude of legal gambling opportunities — four casinos, five racinos and lottery games — Ohioans continue to find places to gamble illegally. But state investigators increasingly are finding those illegal gambling hot spots, many of which masquerade as parlors for “skill games.” Matt Schuler, executive director of the Ohio Casino Control Commission, said yesterday that his agency is investigating at least three dozen such locations. He said there could be hundreds more in storefronts and strip malls around the state. They are not limited to large urban areas; many thrive in smaller cities and towns….

Dispatch – An illegal casino with 200 slot machines that masqueraded as a skill-games parlor has been shut down. But state regulators warned that similar, smaller businesses might still be operating in the state. An investigation by the U.S. Justice Department, the Internal Revenue Service and the Ohio Casino Control Commission resulted in three Canton-area people being charged with operating an illegal gambling business and money laundering. The government is also seeking forfeiture of $1.3 million and four automobiles. Charged were Jerry Warren, 70, of Canton; Tracie Warren-Pastore, 45, of North Canton; and Yabacushyanei Bennett, 45, of Canton. The feds…