That fact that there is always something going on in the world of gaming is demonstrated by the new changes being considered by Ohio, fundamental for the improvement of security. Ohio decided to take a big step, and proposed the implementation of MFA multi-factor authentication, to further secure both players and the entire industry. The whole story started when the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) proposed a gaming rule amendment that focuses on sports betting accounts. By introducing this rule, two-factor authentication would be required from players to access their accounts on gaming platforms, and its goal is to protect the funds of the owners of sports betting accounts.
Given that all eyes are now on the outcome of this situation, we believe that it is the right time to become more familiar with two-factor authentication, to better understand all the benefits that players will have from its potential introduction.
Understanding Multi-Factor Authentication
The key to understanding multi-factor authentication is understanding the so-called authentication factors and their advantages and disadvantages. An authentication factor is a set of authentication methods that share some common features. Authentication methods are usually grouped into the following three authentication factors:
- something you know – e.g. factor that the user knows, such as PIN or password,
- something you have – e.g. safety token, mobile phone, or ID
- something you are – e.g. fingerprint, face, or voice recognition.
Two-factor authentication, therefore, contains two of these three factors, and is therefore more secure than one-factor authentication, because it makes access to hacker attacks more difficult and protects your account. Two-factor authentication works similarly to the existing login procedure, the only difference being the addition of a unique piece of information in combination with user data and password.
It also becomes more evident why the state sought a way to protect their players, considering that the number of frauds had significantly increased last year and that one 18-year-old hacked over 60,000 accounts and stole over US$600,000. The important information is that in Ohio, there are 20 online sports betting establishments all of which can be found on SportsbookReview.com’s Ohio page, where locals have accounts, and which is why the state must do everything to ensure their safety.
Legislative Overview
To create an image of seriousness, Ohio is also considering the introduction of comprehensive legislation that will require all online sports betting operators to introduce multi-factor authentication. The extended law would have three key components, namely mandatory implementation, user education, and penalties for non-compliance.
Mandatory implementation – if the law is passed, in that case, all operators offering sports betting will have to integrate multi-factor authentication into their platforms as a standard security feature.
User education – is as important as the implementation of this method itself, given that many users of sports betting services are not familiar with such methods. This kind of activity will aim to ensure that the platforms provide their users with good and timely information, but also to train them on how to set up two-factor authentication correctly.
Penalties for non-compliance – are the only way to ensure compliance between operators as well as the safety of players and their data.
Impact and Reaction
Let’s go back briefly to the case where an 18-year-old hacked over 60,000 accounts and stole over 600,000 dollars. Now let’s imagine hundreds more such hackers lurking on the Internet, looking for their chance to successfully access someone’s account and the situation in which people would find themselves if their accounts did not have the necessary protection. Therefore, we can say that the potential impact of the introduction of two-factor authentication would have a huge impact on the sports betting industry.
By raising security standards, a safer environment will potentially be created for both bookmakers and operators. Furthermore, the number of frauds and unauthorized access will decrease, which will greatly improve people’s attitudes and trust towards online betting and generally leave personal data on the Internet. Also, the introduction of such measures shows the readiness of the state to satiate its citizens, and their commitment to the fight against cybercrime. Citizens, and especially fans of sports betting, are expected to support this significant step, given that it is primarily about changes related to their safety and improved online betting experience.
Lastly, we can say that Ohio’s proposal is an example that other states should follow, to change or supplement the rules of gambling and thereby reduce cases of fraud. The implementation of two-factor authentication represents a significant step towards strengthening the gaming industry and its presence in the US market, and in the case of the state of Ohio, it shows the state’s interest in the activities of its citizens and their safety on the Internet. This proposal is not only a proposal for a change in the law but also a commitment to the people and activities such as sports betting.
