Ohio regulator considers giving more time to holders of unlaunched licenses

Currently, licensees have one year from the issuance of a license to be put into service. For local or commercial entities, it is not always easy to go from concept to launch in 12 months. According to Business Journal, Phantom Fireworks is among those lobbying against the deadline set by the Ohio regulator. Licensed as a Type B operator, which is brick-and-mortar only, the company does not yet have a definitive location for its sports betting.

The proposed rule change would give the OCCC Executive Director discretion to extend the deadline on a case-by-case basis. If the CEO determines that the incumbent is progressing toward launch, he or she will have the option to grant the incumbent more time.

HOF and Muirfield did not launch

The Ohio regulator launched legal sports betting on January 1, 2022, and the deadline for licensees to come online was December 31, 2022. The OCCC extended this deadline by six months and is currently considering a second extension.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame, Muirfield Village Golf Club, SPIRE Institute and Lori’s Roadhouse also have Type B licenses, but do not yet offer wagering.

Phantom Fireworks, owner of the Youngstown Phantoms of the United States Hockey League, is moving forward but handling administrative issues. Type B licenses are reserved for physical sports betting.

“We are working with consultants to develop financial projections and hope to finalize them in the next couple of weeks and then present them to the city,” said Michael Podolsky, deputy general counsel for Phantom Fireworks. Daily Business Journal. “If we continue on this path, it is not possible to open it within the current time frame. We would need an extension of the deadline.

Window opening for Akransas casino license

On Monday, May 6, the Arkansas Racing Commission did not act on a request to consider allowing mobile betting statewide. But he voted to open a 30-day application window for a fourth casino. The window will open on May 13 and is aimed at those interested in bringing a casino to Pope County.

The commission is scheduled to meet again to close the application window, and has decided to do so on June 12. When voters approved legal sports betting in November 2018, they also approved casinos at two existing racetracks, Oak Lawn and Southlawn, as well as two future casinos. Jefferson and Pope counties have also been approved for future casinos. Saracen Casino is located in Jefferson County.