PlayUp withdraws Ohio sports betting license application

PlayUp Sportsbook and the Ohio Casino Control Commission agreed to a settlement stemming from alleged “illegal gambling activity” from PlayUp earlier this year that led to the commission denying the operator’s Ohio online sports betting application.

The Ohio Casino Control Commission unanimously approved a settlement with PlayUp Sportsbook that will see the sports betting operator withdraw its online sports betting application and agree to not apply for a sports betting license in the state for the next four years.

PlayUp denied license in December

As part of the settlement, PlayUp will provide restitution to Ohio consumers in total of $31,000 for accepting illegal bets through PlayUp’s slots+ online slot machine game. PlayUp will also pay a $90,000 sanction to the state of Ohio.

The Ohio Casino Control Commission issued a notice of intent to deny PlayUp’s application as an online service provider for Jack Cleveland Casino in December. During a license suitability investigation, the commission uncovered information of potential illegal gambling activity from the operator.

According to a release from PlayUp, the Ohio Casino Control Commission’s concerns were with a pari-mutuel slots+ product, which was being operated in conjunction with third party Potent Systems Inc. under a North Dakota pari-mutuel wagering license held by Lien Games Racing, LLC.

“PlayUp has taken the OCCC request with utmost seriousness. We are committed to full compliance with all Ohio laws and have suspended the product indefinitely,” a representative from the company said at the time.

After the license denial, PlayUp expressed interest in requesting a formal hearing with the commission.

Fanatics beta testing sportsbook app

In other Ohio sports betting news, Fanatics Betting and Gaming confirmed the company is currently beta testing its sports betting app in the Buckeye State.

Fanatics Sportsbook is the current online sports betting operator for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Customers are able to place wagers with real money in real time during the beta tests, as Fanatics Betting and Gaming officials are monitoring the app for performance.

In addition to beta tests in Ohio, the sportsbook operator is currently beta testing its technology in Tennessee.

Fanatics Sportsbook is not fully live in any state, but it recently opened its first retail sports betting location at FedExField, home of the Washington Commanders, on Jan. 20.

The Fanatics Sportsbook is not the first sportsbook to open in accordance with an NFL team, but will be the first to actually open inside a stadium. The Arizona Cardinals opened the BetMGM Sportsbook at State Farm Stadium at the start of the 2022 season, but the sportsbook is not officially located inside the stadium. The free-standing, 17,000-square foot sportsbook is located on the Great Lawn.

The Fanatics Sportsbook at FedExField is located alongside the Washington Commanders team store and can be accessed through its own entrance at Gate H, at Garrett Morgan Boulevard and FedEx Way.