Ohio Orders 10 Prediction Market Operators and Brokers to Stop Offering Sports Contracts

On Friday, the Ohio Casino Control Commission sent cease-and-desist notices to 10 operators, giving them until Oct. 16 to confirm in writing that they've stopped offering sports contracts to traders. 

This comes amid several legal battles, headlined by the Sixth Circuit ruling that Ohio and Tennessee can regulate Kalshi, the most popular prediction market platform. 

The 10 operators that were sent a notice include the following: 

• Coinbase
• Gemini Titan
• Moomoo Financial
• Novig
• Plus500US
• Polymarket
• Prophet X
• Robinhood Derivatives
• Underdog Predict
• Webull Financial

Kalshi is not listed because it sued the OCCC and lost in the Sixth Circuit. 

OCCC Interim Executive Director Andromeda Morrison has this to say in a statement: 

“Because these wagers lack the protections Ohio law requires, particularly for young and vulnerable people, the Commission must take action to fulfill its statutory responsibilities, protect consumers, and maintain fairness and integrity in sports gaming across Ohio. The Sixth Circuit’s ruling makes clear that sports event contracts are subject to Ohio’s gambling laws. The Commission expects these entities to cease their illegal gambling activity in Ohio immediately.”

Ohio Gives Operators 14 Days to Confirm Compliance

Of the 10 letters, nine had this section in bold text:

“Because Underdog is offering unlicensed sports gaming and bookmaking or facilitating bookmaking in Ohio, the Commission demands that Underdog cease and desist from offering, participating in offering, or facilitating those who offer sports event contracts in Ohio. This includes soliciting or accepting orders for sports event contracts listed on DCMs from persons located in Ohio, as well as operating an FCM or DCM that offers sports event contracts to persons located in Ohio.”

The OCCC warned that ignoring the notices could lead to administrative, civil, nuisance, or even criminal action. 

The companies also “shall notify the Commission in writing” within 14 days that they’ve ceased offering sports contracts. 

As mentioned, nine letters had one section in particular, but Robinhood’s was different, as it received a notice back in March 2025, and this one was “reasserting” the old one. 

“Based on the above, the Commission is now reasserting and reaffirming its notice to Robinhood that by continuing to offer or facilitate the offering of sports event contracts in Ohio without a sports gaming license, Robinhood is – in fact – violating Ohio law and must immediately cease doing so,” Morrison wrote.

OCCC Previously Cut Ties With NCPG Over Kalshi

The OCCC was one of the commissions to leave the National Council on Problem Gambling in June after it partnered with Kalshi. Kalshi came in and committed $2 million, and Morrison didn’t like this. 

“Instead, it seeks to legitimize an illegal sportsbook operating in Ohio and undercut the Commission’s efforts to eliminate this source of unlicensed gambling,” Morrison wrote. “At a minimum, it creates consumer confusion as to whether this prediction market platform carries the same protection as licensed sports books. It does not.”

Now, the NCPG is looking for a new leader after Executive Director Heather Maurer announced her resignation effective Oct. 16.