(A) Upon receipt of an application for a permit to hold a public boxing or wrestling match or exhibition under section 3773.38 of the Revised Code, the Ohio athletic commission, or the commission's executive director when authorized by the commission, shall determine if the applicant holds a valid promoter's license issued pursuant to section 3773.36 of the Revised Code. Upon receipt of an application for a permit to hold a public boxing match or exhibition, the commission, or the commission's executive director when authorized by the commission, also shall determine if the contestants are evenly and fairly matched according to skill, experience, and weight so as to produce a fair and sportsmanlike contest, and whether the applicant is financially responsible and is able to pay to each contestant the compensation or percentage of the gate receipts named in the application. The commission, or the commission's executive director when authorized by the commission, may, if applicable, require the applicant to deposit with it within forty-eight hours before the match or exhibition the total compensation or estimated portion of gate receipts to be paid all contestants named in the application made under section 3773.38 of the Revised Code.

(B) If the commission, or the commission's executive director when authorized by the commission, determines that the applicant has met all the requirements specified in division (A) of this section, the commission or executive director shall issue the applicant a permit to conduct the match or exhibition. If the applicant fails to deposit any compensation or portion of gate receipts required by the commission, or executive director before the first contest of the match or exhibition is held, the commission, or the commission's executive director when authorized by the commission, may revoke the permit and order the applicant not to conduct the match or exhibition described in the permit.

(C) Each permit issued pursuant to this section shall bear the name and post office address of the applicant, the address of the place where the public boxing or wrestling match or exhibition is to be held, the date and starting time of the match or exhibition, and a serial number designated by the commission.

A permit issued under this section shall allow the permit holder to conduct only the match or exhibition named in the permit. A permit is not transferable.

Effective Date: 09-03-1996; 09-29-2005.