A study cited in a media report found that Australia’s ban on credit-card use for online gambling was associated with a significant drop in sports betting. The report said the effect mainly concerned casual bettors, while declining use of credit cards online could limit the overall impact.
The reported change offers operators and regulators an indication of how payment restrictions may affect online wagering.
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The Ohio Casino Control Commission is advancing a rule to prohibit sports bettors from funding wagers with credit cards, an agency spokesperson confirmed. The proposal has not taken effect and must pass through the Common Sense Initiative before receiving approval from the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review.
Pennsylvania lawmakers led by Representatives Tarik Khan and Jamie Flick proposed bills to tighten online gambling rules. The proposals would limit deposits within a 24-hour period, prohibit credit-card funding and bar marketing to people on the self-exclusion list; the package also addresses advertising and prevention funding.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission proposed rule changes that could prohibit credit-card deposits at online sportsbooks in Ohio. Colorado lawmakers are also reviewing a bill to bar credit-card funding of gambling accounts, while BetMGM said it would phase out new credit-card use from 31 March after discussions with Pennsylvania regulators. Caesars ended credit-card deposits on its US online sportsbook, casino and poker platforms in April.
Colorado senators approved an amended Senate Bill 117 on 23 April by a 22–13 vote and sent it to the House, where it went to the Finance Committee. The bill would prohibit credit-card purchases of lottery products but no longer restrict online instant games; the Colorado Lottery Commission opposes the measure, and the article says Governor Jared Polis may veto it.
Maine lawmakers sent LD2080, a bill barring credit-card wagers in sports betting and internet gaming, to Governor Janet Mills for approval, according to the report. The proposal would also require identity, age and location checks, and refunds for wagers placed by people barred from gambling. The Gambling Control Unit would enforce the requirements if the bill becomes law.