Ohio Moves Forward with Plans to Legalize Online Casinos

By John Isaac,
Editor at online-gambling.com

John Isaac Editor at online-gambling.com

John Isaac is an editor with many years of experience in the gambling industry. He writes expert articles on card games like blackjack and poker. In addition, he is also well aware of the US gambling laws and the Indian and Dutch gambling markets. You can rely on verified information and insightful details.

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Last updated: September 17, 2024

As of 2024, only seven states allow online casinos: Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia. Ohio may soon join them. On September 4, State Senator Niraj Antani introduced a bill to legalize online casinos. The 146-page proposal drafts a plan to regulate iGaming in the Buckeye State, placing regulation under the Ohio Casino Control Commission.

Ohio’s Legislative Push for iGaming Gains Momentum

Ohio is bidding to become the eighth state to legalize online casinos. The recently introduced bill wants to establish the Ohio Casino Control Commission as responsible for launching gaming platforms. In case of approval, the board will monitor all related activities and decide which games will become legal. The proposed legislation would allow each of Ohio’s 11 land-based casinos and racinos to offer one casino app.

We’ve seen Ohio’s gambling market grow significantly over the past decade. 2009 was the beginning when voters passed a constitutional amendment legalizing brick-and-mortar casinos in the state. Then, in 2021, Senator Antani successfully co-sponsored a bill to permit sports betting. As of 2023, the Buckeye State’s gross gambling revenue reached $3.32 billion. The industry supports over 33,800 jobs, and there is no doubt that legalizing iGaming would favor the local economy.

Obstacles on the Way to iGaming Legalization

Antani’s efforts to legalize casino sites were supported by three republican members of the Ohio House of Representatives who wrote a letter recommending that the state must take further steps in this direction. The letter of GOP lawmakers Jay Edwards, Cindy Abrams, and Jeff LaRe included a report by the Study Commission of the Future of Gaming in Ohio, advocating for removing the current ban on college athlete prop betting.

In comparison, Michigan’s gross iGaming revenue for 2023 was $2.3 billion – $1.9 billion from gaming sites and $420.4 million from online sportsbooks. The profit shows an 18.3% increase since 2022, something that Ohio could expect if the local market expands. Despite the potential growth, Ohio still faces challenges. That’s partially because Antani’s mandate expires and he is set to leave office by the end of 2024.

Governor DeWine’s Stance on Gambling

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine isn’t a supporter of the gambling cause, although he approved the sports betting law in 2021. Soon after, he regretted his decision and increased sportsbooks’ tax from 10% to 20%. According to lawmakers, Ohio will face challenges in winning DeWine’s approval to legalize online casinos. He’s not set to leave office until 2026, which could influence the course of events.