Online Casino Legalization Bill's Approval Appears Inevitable in Ohio
Ohio moving toward potential legalization of online casinos
In a continuing legislative effort, Senate Bill 197 and House Bill 298 seek to legalize online casino gambling in Ohio, with the former proposing stricter regulations and a higher tax rate of 36%, and the latter aiming for a 28% tax and eligibility limited to existing land-based casino operators [2][3][5]. Public support for the move stands at 61%, according to a January 2025 poll [4]. However, the bills face challenges with licensing costs, responsible gaming safeguards, and potential effects on brick-and-mortar casinos [3].
In 2024, concerns arise over unregulated sweepstakes sites that operate in legal gray areas, potentially causing substantial revenue loss [5]. Legalizing and regulating online casinos could help recuperate revenues and ensure consumer protection and taxation. Additional details about the extent of the revenue lost to unlicensed operators in 2024 were not available in the latest search results.
Grant Mitchell, a former Virginia Tech graduate and NCAA track and field athlete turned professional journalist, offers up-to-the-minute insights on headlines in the sports betting industry, earning a reliable reputation since joining the ranks in 2021. He has worked with several top-tier entities such as Forbes and VSiN [1]. When not reporting, Mitchell can be found exercising, exploring the city, or watching the day's major sporting event.
[1] https://x.com/milemitchell[2] https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/3959989-ohio-lawmakers-introduce-bill-to-legalize-online-gambling-for-ohio-native/[3] https://www.betohio.com/news/ohio-online-gambling-bills-2025-a-guide-to-sb-197-and-hb-298/[4] https://criminaldefenselawyer.com/resources/ohio-voters-support-legalizing-sports-betting-and-online-gambling-poll/[5] https://www.cleveland.com/elohio/2022/09/online-gambling-taking-off-in-ohio-state-still-closed-to-legitimate-online-sports-betting.html
- As Ohio moves toward the potential legalization of online casinos, Grant Mitchell, a noted sports betting journalist, points out that legalization could help recoup revenue lost to unregulated sites and provide consumer protection.
- With online casino legislation facing challenges, one concern is the potential impact on traditional casino venues such as those found in Las Vegas, known for their famous blackjack tables and progressive jackpot slots.
- The stricter regulations and higher tax rate proposed by Senate Bill 197 could potentially generate substantial revenue for Ohio's finance sector, making it an attractive option for both lawmakers and land-based casino operators.
- In the realm of poker and sports betting, the growing online gaming industry could see a surge in popularity as Ohio's legislative efforts continue, introducing a new era of digital entertainment across the state.
