Ohio lawmaker drafts bill to legalize online poker and casino games
Ohio may soon be considering a bill that seeks to legalize online gambling, introducing virtual poker and casino games to residents in the state.
Representative Brian Stewart, a Republican from Asheville and chair of the House Finance Committee, is drafting the legislation, which would enable Ohioans to gamble on phones or laptops. The objective is to generate additional state revenue.
Stewart, also the sponsor of House Bill 96 – the House’s two-year state budget – confirmed his work on the bill. The budget, passed by Republicans, removed Governor Mike DeWine’s proposed tax increase on sports gambling operators, intending to fund sports facilities.
The idea of legalising online casino games and lottery in the state is not new; a commission established in the 2023 budget studied igaming and ilottery, releasing a July 2024 report to examine the impact of online gaming.
The report noted that various states that had legalized online gaming experienced significant tax revenue increases and higher participation, without a decrease in in-person lottery sales. It also underscored potential benefits for K-12 education funding.
Still, it stressed the need to protect Ohio’s four casinos and seven racinos, as the industry is concerned that online gambling could reduce physical venue traffic.
Concurrently, the Ohio Senate is reviewing the state budget, which excluded DeWine’s proposed tax hikes on sports gambling, marijuana, and cigarettes and an income tax cut, with lawmakers not keen on raising taxes.
The igaming bill’s development is ongoing.
Dig deeper
Charlotte Capewell brings her passion for storytelling and expertise in writing, researching, and the gambling industry to every article she writes. Her specialties include the US gambling industry, regulator legislation, igaming, and more.
Verticals:
Sectors:
Topics:
