Ohio Regulators Look to Remove Credit Cards From Sports Betting

Ohio regulators are pushing forward with plans to remove credit cards as a funding option for sports betting accounts, adding the state to a growing list of markets looking to tighten controls around online wagering.

The proposal comes from the Ohio Casino Control Commission and reflects an industry focused on responsible gaming and limiting the risks tied to borrowed money.

A Push Toward Stricter Funding Rules

Under the proposed rule change, players would no longer be able to use credit cards to deposit funds into sportsbook accounts. Instead, funding would be limited to methods such as debit transactions, ACH transfers, wire transfers, winnings, promotional credits, and other payment options approved by regulators.

The commission is currently accepting public feedback before the proposal moves further through the approval process.

Why Regulators Are Moving in This Direction

The main concern is debt. Regulators and responsible gaming advocates have increasingly argued that using credit cards for wagering creates additional financial risk, particularly for players struggling with gambling related harm.

By limiting deposits to available funds rather than borrowed money, regulators believe the risk of excessive spending can be reduced.

The discussion has become more prominent as online sports betting continues to grow rapidly across the U.S.

Operators Already Started Making Changes

What stands out is that many major operators have already moved away from credit card deposits before regulation forced them to do so.

Companies including Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and bet365 have all recently phased out credit card funding across large parts of their U.S. operations.

That means Ohio’s proposal may formalize a direction the industry was already moving toward.

Part of a Bigger National Trend

Ohio is far from alone. Several states already removed credit cards for sports betting deposits, including Massachusetts, Tennessee, Virginia, Maine, and Rhode Island, while others continue debating similar restrictions.

As more regulators focus on player protection measures, payment methods are becoming one of the biggest areas under review.

The Difference Between Sportsbooks and Prediction Markets

One detail attracting attention is that the proposal currently applies only to licensed sportsbooks. Prediction market platforms operating under federal oversight may still allow credit card funding in some cases, creating another point of tension between state gaming rules and federally regulated event contract platforms.

That difference is likely to keep fueling debate around consistency and oversight.

What Happens Next

The Ohio Casino Control Commission will continue reviewing feedback before the proposal advances through the state approval process. If adopted, Ohio would become one of the latest states to officially block credit card deposits for sports betting, reinforcing a direction that is becoming increasingly common across the industry.

For operators, the adjustment may be minimal since many already changed their payment systems. For regulators, though, it represents another step toward tighter consumer protection standards.

Stay tuned to UMG Gaming for more updates on regulation, market movement, and the evolving U.S. gaming landscape.