Ohio seeks public feedback on proposed credit card betting ban
The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) has proposed banning the use of credit cards to fund online sports betting accounts as part of efforts to strengthen consumer protection and reduce gambling-related financial harm.
The proposal is currently open for public comment until 17 July. It must complete Ohio’s regulatory approval process, including reviews by the Common-Sense Initiative and Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR), before it can take effect. If approved, Ohio would join a growing number of US jurisdictions restricting credit card use for sports betting deposits. The OCCC plans to hold a public hearing in the coming months, with the date still pending. Meanwhile, its next public meetings are slated for July 15 and Aug. 19.
Ohio targets credit card betting
Ohio has shifted its focus from market growth to consumer protection. Unlike debit cards or bank transfers, credit cards allow users to wager amounts that they do not yet have, increasing the risk of debt that can last much longer than a single betting session.
Across the United States, regulators and advocates have expressed similar concerns. Credit cards can encourage chasing losses, postponing financial consequences until bills arrive, and increasing debt among vulnerable gamblers. By eliminating this option, Ohio will be able to ensure that only available funds are used for betting.
The effects on sportsbooks may be minimal because most operators do not currently accept credit card payments. Nonetheless, it would ensure consistency in regulations for all licensed operators. It has been suggested that betting with credit cards disconnects the betting process from its financial consequences.
Sportsbooks move beyond credit cards
Ohio’s proposal to ban credit card deposits in sports betting is unlikely to face strong opposition because many major operators have already moved in that direction. DraftKings began the transition in summer 2025, ending direct credit card funding. By spring 2026, FanDuel, BetMGM, bet365, and Caesars Sportsbook had followed, while Fanatics Sportsbook noted it had never accepted credit cards at all.
One distinction is that sportsbooks continue to allow indirect credit use via prepaid cards or credit card-funded digital wallets. Regulators are currently debating whether these secondary channels should also be prohibited.
From a business perspective, the impact appears limited. With plenty of alternatives available, sportsbooks can maintain convenience while supporting responsible gambling measures.
States tighten credit card betting rules
Several states of credit cards in sports betting, so Ohio’s proposal fits within a larger trend. Credit card deposits are now prohibited in Illinois, Massachusetts, Tennessee, and Vermont, and will become illegal in Colorado, Maine, and Virginia beginning in 2026. Amendments to Colorado statutes were enacted as part of a larger package of reforms aimed at improving monitoring and encouraging responsible gaming. This technique provides for restrictions on gambling with borrowed money while leaving legal gaming unaffected.
Ohio reviews broader gambling rules
The proposed ban on credit card deposits is only one part of a broader debate in Ohio. Lawmakers have introduced House Bill 971, the “Save Ohio Sports Act”, which would reshape nearly every aspect of sports betting in the state. Supporters argue that the rapid growth of online wagering has gone further than intended and that stronger safeguards are needed to reduce gambling-related harm, especially among younger adults and vulnerable groups.
The legislation sports betting and restrict wagering to licensed retail sportsbooks. It also tries to outlaw live betting, player proposition bets, and parlays, which critics say encourage ongoing gambling. Concerns over student-athlete safety have led Ohio senators to suggest a ban on collegiate sports betting. Additional safeguards include a $100 maximum wager limit, strict deposit frequency and amount controls, and stricter advertising regulations, such as a prohibition on sportsbook marketing during live sports broadcasts.
Although House Bill 971 faces several challenges, its introduction demonstrates how quickly attitudes towards gambling regulation are evolving. The gambling regulation debate in Ohio has now expanded beyond the question of payouts.
Future of Ohio sports betting
Due to the limitation on credit card deposits in Ohio is projected to be successful. The fact that most bookmakers no longer accept credit card deposits suggests that regulators will face little resistance. This demonstrates the national inclination to protect consumers rather than expand gambling chances through the use of payment systems, advertisements, and affordability limits.
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