Plus500US Only Prediction Market Operator in Adherence With Ohio C&D

• The Ohio Casino Control Commission confirmed Plus500US is the only operator to be in adherence with its recent cease-and-desist notice
• In a letter to the commission, the futures commission merchant said it does not, and never has, facilitated sports event contracts in Ohio
• Nine other prediction market operators are not in adherence with Ohio’s cease-and-desist notice

The Ohio Casino Control Commission confirmed to Sports Betting Dime that Plus500US, a futures commission merchant registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, is the lone prediction market operator currently in adherence with the commission’s recent cease-and-desist notices.

A spokesperson with the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) confirmed Plus500US’s compliance with the cease-and-desist notice. The commission earlier this month issued cease-and-desist notices to 10 operators alleged to offer illegal, unlicensed sports betting in the state, citing a recent ruling from the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in which the court ruled Ohio could enforce its state gaming laws against Kalshi.

Plus500US Chief Legal Officer Amy Meyer wrote to the commission that the futures commission merchant has “at all relevant times” used geolocation controls to block Ohio residents from accessing sports event contracts through it platform.

Plus500US Blocks Ohio Sports Event Contracts

In its letter to the commission, Meyer noted that Plus500US “does not solicit, accept, or facilitate orders for sports event contracts from persons located in the State of Ohio.”

“At all relevant times, Plus500US has used geolocation controls to block persons located in Ohio from accessing or placing orders for sports event contracts through its platform,” she wrote.

In response to the OCCC cease-and-desist notice, Plus500US reviewed and re-verified its Ohio restrictions. It confirmed its restrictions were still in place and it does not offer, participate in offering, or accept orders for sports event contracts from those located in Ohio.

“This letter is provided voluntarily and in the interest of cooperation. It is not an admission that plus500US has violated any Ohio law, that it is subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction, or that the Commission’s characterization of any product is correct. Plus-5OOUS expressly reserves all rights, defenses and objections, including those arising under federal law, and nothing in this letter waives any of them,” Meyer wrote.

Cease-and-Desist Notices Largely Ignored

The OCCC ordered the following operators to cease offering sports event contracts in the state by no later than Friday, Oct. 16:

• Underdog
• Gemini Titan
• Coinbase
• Prophet X
• Novig
• Robinhood
• Polymarket
• Plus500US
• Moomoo
• Webull

An Ohio Casino Control Commission spokesperson told Sports Betting Dime on Tuesday, Oct. 20, the commission is engaged in active discussions with a “number of these companies” to come into compliance.

“Thus far, the Commission has had a dialogue with a number of these companies and are working with them in coming into compliance. While many of the companies have engaged in good faith conversations with the Commission, two are actively pursuing litigation against the Commission in response. One company has confirmed compliance, and the Commission continues to engage in active discussions with the other companies that it’s investigating, and so we cannot comment on those further,” the spokesperson said.

Sports Betting Dime understands that Polymarket is one of the two operators that is actively pursuing litigation in response. Kalshi is likely the second operator referenced in the comment.