Ohioans who have turned on a television since Jan. 1 — actually, weeks before that date — have no doubt seen commercials touting the various online sports betting platforms that hope to attract our dollars. We’ve also seen the offers those companies are tossing out. Plenty of them include the word “free.”

But Ohio law states those companies cannot use words such as “free” or “risk free” in their advertisements. They’re also supposed to include an easily readable link for problem gamblers and cannot market to those under age 21. According to a report by WSYX, these gambling platforms don’t seem to worry much about what the law says.

“We kept seeing these instances where the ads were violating the law as well as our rules,” Jessica Franks, spokeswoman for the Ohio Casino Control Commission, told WSYX. “And the industry claims to take responsible gambling very seriously. The commission definitely does. And we needed to see their actions matching their words and that they hold that to the same value that we do.”

Those of us who have grown up watching exploitative corporations in Appalachia treat fees and fines as simply a cost of doing business are not surprised. But Franks told WSYX she does not think that is what is happening here. She said the commission does “not set fines in such a way that could be considered a cost of doing business.” Though that may come across as a bit naive, she also pointed out the commission has other tools at its disposal — up to and including revoking a company’s license to operate in the state.

They should not hesitate to use these harsher measures to ensure the companies profiting in Ohio are following our laws.

editorial@vindy.com