Ohio Is Moving to Ban Credit Cards for Sports Betting — Here’s What Bettors Need to Know

Ohio is moving toward a ban on credit card deposits for sports betting accounts, with the Ohio Casino Control Commission publishing a draft rule this week that would remove credit cards as a permissible funding option for online sportsbooks and iGaming platforms operating in the state. If the rule clears the regulatory process without significant obstacles, Ohio bettors could see the change take effect as early as late summer 2026.

What the Proposed Rule Actually Says

The Commission is proposing to amend Sports Gaming Rule 3775-16-03 within the Ohio Administrative Code, specifically removing credit cards from the list of acceptable deposit methods for deposit-enabled accounts. The proposal falls under the state’s Common Sense Initiative, a regulatory review process designed to reduce unnecessary burden while still protecting consumers.

Notably, the draft rule targets credit cards only. Debit cards, which have long been the most widely used deposit method among Ohio sports bettors, are not affected by the proposed change. According to PaySafe, a major sports-betting payment processor, debit cards have remained the dominant funding option for years — meaning most bettors would not need to change their deposit habits at all.

The Timeline: What Happens Next

The Commission opened a public comment period with a deadline of 5 p.m. EST on May 15, 2026. Anyone who wants to weigh in can submit written comments to rulecomments@casinocontrol.ohio.gov. After the comment window closes, the Commission must hold a public hearing and then forward the proposal to a state legislative panel for review. If the process moves smoothly, the rule could take effect by late summer 2026.

Why Most Operators Already Beat Ohio to It

The practical impact of this rule may be more limited than it sounds. Most major sportsbooks — including DraftKings and FanDuel — have already voluntarily stopped accepting credit card deposits. The Commission’s proposed rule would essentially codify into state regulation what the market has already moved toward on its own, closing any remaining loopholes for operators still accepting credit cards and drawing a clear legal line for the future.

If adopted, Ohio would join at least nine other states that have already banned credit card use for sports wagering. The broader national trend has been building for years, driven by concerns from responsible gambling advocates and regulators who argue that using borrowed money for gambling amplifies both financial risk and the potential for addiction.

The Political Context Behind the Push

The Commission’s regulatory move comes alongside a separate legislative effort. Three Ohio state representatives — Riordan McClain, Gary Click, and Johnathan Newman — introduced bills earlier this spring that would impose broader guardrails on the state’s sports betting system, including a credit card ban. Those bills also proposed limits on the size and frequency of wagers and restrictions on advertising, and would go significantly further by restricting mobile sports betting to casino properties. The Commission’s draft rule, focused only on payment methods, is narrower and follows a separate regulatory track.

For Ohio sports betting customers using debit cards, bank transfers, or digital wallets like PayPal and Venmo, day-to-day operations would be unaffected. The change matters most to the small subset of bettors still funding accounts with credit cards — and to any operator that has not yet cut that option on its own. The Commission has signaled it wants to hear from stakeholders before the formal rule-filing process begins, making the May 15 comment deadline the most meaningful window for anyone who wants input into the final version of the rule.

What Ohio Bettors Should Do Now

There is no action required from bettors at this stage. The rule is still a draft and has not been finalized. However, anyone who currently uses a credit card to fund their sports betting accounts in Ohio should be aware that this option may disappear before the football season starts. Transitioning to a debit card or another accepted payment method now is a straightforward way to avoid any disruption down the road.

Ohio legalized sports betting in January 2023, and the market has grown substantially since launch. This latest regulatory step reflects the Commission’s ongoing effort to align Ohio’s framework with responsible gambling standards taking hold across the country.