By the time Ohio’s sports-betting industry turned 1-week-old in January, the Ohio Casino Control Commission announced fines totaling more than $1 million against four online sportsbooks that violated marketing and responsible-gaming rules.
That aggressive approach fit the profile of Ohio’s lead gambling regulator, where 55 out of 111 employees work in enforcement.
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission is taking a different approach as it prepares to launch sports betting with a staff of 40 people, including four in enforcement.
“They’ve systematically set up the racing commission to really allow the tracks to regulate themselves, which is not a good situation for the taxpayers,” said Michael Barley, chief public affairs officer for Pace-O-Matic Inc.
