Ohio regulators have introduced a draft rule change that would prohibit credit cards as a funding option for sports betting accounts, marking a potential shift in how wagering payments are processed in the state.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) presented the proposal as an amendment to state gaming rules. If approved, it would remove credit cards from permitted deposit methods for sports gaming accounts and refine the list of acceptable funding sources.
Proposed Changes to Betting Account Funding
Under the draft rule, sportsbook users would no longer be able to fund accounts using credit cards. Instead, permitted options would include promotional credits, winnings, ACH transfers, wire transfers, and operator corrections with required customer notification.
The proposal also allows “any other means approved by the executive director,” according to the commission’s draft language.
The OCCC is accepting written comments until May 15. After that, the process will include a public hearing before the proposal moves to the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review. Approval from the committee is required for the rule to take effect in Ohio law.
The regulator also requires a business impact analysis as part of the submission process and may hold further hearings depending on stakeholder feedback.
In a statement, the OCCC said: “While you will have some additional chances to comment on these rules, including when they are filed with the state’s Common Sense Initiative Office, please note that it is much easier for the Commission and for stakeholders to work out any questions or comments directly before the rules start the formal rule filing process.”
Industry Shift Away From Credit Cards
Even before the proposal, credit card deposits have largely been phased out across the U.S. sports betting industry. Operators including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment and bet365 have already removed the option from their platforms.
Caesars Digital recently extended its ban across multiple U.S. brands, including Caesars Sportsbook & Casino, Horseshoe Casino and World Series of Poker Online. FanDuel eliminated credit card deposits for sports betting and casino products earlier this year, while BetMGM followed shortly after. DraftKings implemented its restriction in 2025, and bet365 applied its own ban in April. Fanatics has never accepted credit card deposits.
Operators have cited high transaction fees, cash advance charges and concerns about gambling-related financial risk as key reasons for the shift.
Statewide and National Policy Developments
If enacted, Ohio would join at least nine other states that already prohibit credit card funding for sports wagering, including Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont and Virginia.
Recent legislative activity has reinforced the trend. Virginia introduced a ban in April, while Maine approved legislation covering both sports betting and iGaming. Additional proposals are under consideration in Colorado, Maryland and New Jersey.
Sports betting has been legal in Ohio since 2023, and further regulatory and legislative discussions around consumer protection continue, though related bills are unlikely to pass before the current session ends in December.
Source:
“Ohio moves to ban use of credit cards for sports betting”, cleveland.com, May 6, 2026
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