Matthew Schuler to Step Down After 15 Years Leading Ohio Gambling Regulator
Schuler has been among the more vocal and visible regulators regarding sports betting, athlete safety.
(UPDATE: 5/20 3:30 pm ET: This story has been updated to include comments from Wednesday’s meeting, and the appointment of an interim director.)
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Matthew Schuler, who has led the Ohio Casino Control Commission since its creation more than 15 years ago, will retire as the gambling regulator’s executive director at the end of the month, Gambling Insider has learned.
During the commission’s monthly board meeting Wednesday, members unanimously approved a resolution honoring Schuler. Moments before, the panel also voted without opposition to appoint current Deputy Director Executive Director and General Counsel Andromeda Morrison as the OCCC’s interim executive director. She will begin in that role on June 1.
Schuler has been one of the country’s more visible and vocal gaming regulators, especially since the Buckeye State passed sports betting late in 2021. Since then, the OCCC has been one of the more vigilant and proactive agencies overseeing online wagering.
That continues to the present day, as the regulator is among those looking into former University of Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby, who recently entered into a recovery program for his gambling addiction.
In addition, Ohio has been one of the more proactive states seeking to block federally regulated prediction market operators from offering its catalog of sports events in the state. A month ago, the OCCC announced plans to slap a $5 million fine on Kalshi for operating a sportsbook sans state approval.
“What I want to say is you’re leaving on top,” Commissioner Christopher Smitherman said to Schuler Wednesday. “You’re leaving the organization at a time where Ohio is the model… People travel from all over the country looking at Ohio as the model.”
Held Ohio Sportsbooks Accountable
Even prior to when licensees flipped the switches on their servers to go live on Jan. 1, 2023, the state agency levied six-figure fines against several top operators it found to violate rules on promoting their product on college campuses and sending marketing materials to individuals under 21 years of age. Other licensees were penalized a short time later for not updating their marketing materials to include information on responsible gaming.
The sports gaming industry has received multiple reminders of the rules and standards for advertising and promotions, yet continues to disregard Ohio law,” Schuler said in a statement three years ago. “These repeated violations leave the Commission no choice but to pursue administrative action to bring operators into compliance. The Commission takes responsible gambling seriously – and expects the industry to value the same.”
In 2023, the state became the first to take down proposition markets on individual college athletes after the NCAA asked the OCCC to consider it. Several other states, including Maryland and Louisiana, followed Ohio’s lead on the subject.
Ohio also took proactive steps to look after athletes by seeking to ban anyone who threatens a player over a lost wager. Also under Schuler’s watch, the commission handed Brad Neff a lifetime ban from betting in the state after he tried to wager $100,000 at a BetMGM sportsbook on a college baseball game in which he had received insider information.
Executive Director Schuler has always been an advocate for protecting the integrity of NCAA competition and promoting the well-being of student-athletes,'” NCAA Managing Director of Enterprise Risk Management Clint Hangebrauck said in a statement. “Under Matt’s pragmatic leadership, Ohio put in place sensible restrictions such as banning collegiate player prop bets and introducing novel anti-harassment measures. We thank Executive Director Schuler for his standard of excellence and willingness to do what’s right instead of what’s easy.“
There Since The Beginning
While Morrison will sever in the interim, it remains uncertain who will replace Schuler on a permanent basis. Gov. Mike DeWine’s second and final term ends on Jan. 11, 2027, and voters will elect a new state executive in November.
It is possible the current board could bring someone on in the permanent role before the end of the year. However, three of the seven commissioners have terms that end next February. Commissioners must also have their appointments confirmed by the State Senate, but the selection of an executive director does not need that extra level of approvals.
Then-Gov. John Kasich appointed the first Ohio Casino Control Commission board shortly after he took office in 2011. On Sept. 21, 2011, the board picked Schuler to be the agency’s top staffer.
Prior to that, he served as the chief of staff for Ohio Senate Republicans for six years. In between stints working for Ohio legislators, the Mansfield, Ohio, native also oversaw public policy initiatives for the Ohio Manufacturers Association.
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