CLEVELAND — Danielle Frizzi-Babb is with the Ohio Lottery Commission, which launched a program called Time Out Ohio, where you can ban yourself from gambling in any venue website or app in Ohio.  


What You Need To Know

  • Time Out Ohio is a program that helps problem gamblers to ban themselves from sports betting and gambling venues

  • The program allows gamblers to ban themselves online
  • Time Out Ohio is an expansion of the state's voluntary exclusion program

​“It’s a tool for them to voluntarily refrain from going to a racino a casino or engaging in sports betting," Frizzi-Babb said. "When you sign up for the list, that information is shared with all of these proprietors.” 

Time Out Ohio is an updated version of the state’s voluntary exclusion program. You can ban yourself from online betting with this new feature. 

“Previously you had to go to every property to sign up," Frizzi-Babb said. "Now you can just do it through here."

Frizzi-Babb said this is vital since sports betting is now legal, and online betting through a smartphone is a popular way for people to play, and potentially get hooked on it. 

“If you try to sign up on a sports betting app, they will already know that you’re on that list," Frizzi-Babb said. 

The state moved over around 3400 participants from their old program into Time O,ut Ohio, and 44 more people have joined since sports betting became legal. But Frizzi-Babb said this is just one of several tools available in case someone needs help with a gambling problem. 

“It is a very important program," Frizzi-Babb said. "It was very important to get it moving especially as we move into this time where the gambling landscape has changed significantly.”

Frizzi-Babb said this is the first branded program of its kind in the country.