DraftKings fined for allowing gambling on collegiate athlete performance

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WOIO) – Online sports gambling operator DraftKings has been fined by the Ohio Casino Control Commission for allowing sports gambling on student athletes; performance and for allowing deposit’s through unapproved methods.

The $425,000 fine was a settlement between DraftKings and the State. According to the OCCC, 77 wagers were made between March 14 and March 19 of this year. According to the State, betting is banned on collegiate athletes performance for their protection.

“First and foremost, the occurrences of and increase in the harassment of student athletes based upon their performance or statistics in an intercollegiate athletics competition presents a clear and present danger to the best interests of Ohio. Ohio passed a law in 2023, the first of its kind, that targets those that have already threatened athletes with violence or harm by banning them from participating in sports gaming in Ohio. The NCAA’s request to prohibit player-specific prop bets has a different aim: to significantly limit the harassment, including threats, from occurring in the first place by curtailing the urge sports wagerers may have to deride, let alone threaten, college athletes for their individual performances.”

As for the deposits through unapproved funds, the State gave this explanation:

“There are very specific methods that can be used to fund accounts, which give the Commission oversight, as granted by the General Assembly. Offering unapproved methods of funding removes the Commission’s oversight used to ensure the integrity of sports gaming on behalf of Ohioans. In this instance, DraftKings allowed deposit-enabled accounts to be funded through cash deposits at non-gaming retail locations (corner drug stores).”

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