An Ohio Casino Control Commission representative announced Wednesday that it intends to fine Penn Sports Interactive $250,000 because its affiliate Barstool Sportsbook marketed its services to college students at the University of Toledo.
As reported by the Akron Beacon Journal. betting in Ohio won't even be legal until Jan. 1, and even so, state rules prohibit sports gaming by anyone under age 21.
Matt Schuler, executive director of the state commission that oversees sports gaming, made Wednesday's announcement.
According to a Dec. 9 letter sent by the commission to Penn, Barstool hosted its Barstool College Football Show on the University of Toledo's campus Nov. 15. During the show, the commission said Barstool advertised its sportsbook by promoting preregistration with its own cash bonuses and with "mycash," which could be used at Penn's casinos.
Penn, the parent company of Penn Sports Interactive and Barstool Sportsbooks, operates four casinos or racinos in Ohio, including the Hollywood Casino in Toledo and other facilities in Youngstown, Columbus and Dayton, the Beacon Journal reported.
According to the Beacon Journal, Ohio's administrative code "prohibits sports gaming advertising or promoting on college or university campuses" unless that advertising is "generally available."
In addition to the fine, the casino commission told Penn it intends to require the company to train all its employees about Ohio laws, policies and procedures about advertising or promoting sports betting.
Penn, which has not responded to the Dec. 9 letter, has 30 days to either challenge the finding or enter into mediation.
