# Ohio Casino Control Commission

**Type:** State regulatory agency  
**Jurisdiction:** Ohio  
**Domain:** Gaming and gambling regulation  
**Relevance:** State enforcement authority over prediction markets

## Overview

The Ohio Casino Control Commission is the state regulatory body responsible for overseeing casino gaming and sports betting operations in Ohio. Ohio legalized sports betting in January 2023 with strict commercial operator licensing requirements.

## Prediction Market Enforcement

The Commission has taken an aggressive stance on unlicensed prediction market operations, treating them as violations of Ohio's sports betting framework rather than federally-preempted derivatives trading.

## Timeline

- **2023-01** — Ohio legalized sports betting with strict commercial operator licensing requirements
- **2026-04-15** — Imposed $5M fine on Kalshi for operating as unlicensed sportsbook, largest state penalty against prediction market operator to date

## Regulatory Approach

The Commission's enforcement actions suggest Ohio interprets prediction markets with sports-related contracts as falling under state gambling jurisdiction, not CFTC exclusive authority. The $5M penalty magnitude indicates the Commission treats unlicensed operation as a serious commercial offense rather than a technical regulatory gap.

## Legal Context

Ohio's enforcement action occurred despite Kalshi's CFTC DCM registration and after "a federal court determination" (exact nature unverified). This creates potential conflict with the Third Circuit's April 2026 ruling favoring CFTC preemption in New Jersey, possibly establishing a Sixth Circuit vs. Third Circuit split on preemption questions.