Ohio iGaming Proposal Ties Casino Bonuses To Retail Gaming

Ohio lawmakers considering online casino legalization may use retail casino rewards to bring land based gaming companies on board. Representative Brian Stewart has discussed blocking online casino promotional credits while allowing operators to offer rewards that customers redeem at Ohio casinos and racinos.

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Good to Know

• Ohio has 11 casinos and racinos that could qualify for iGaming licenses under the proposal.
• Online casino bonuses could be restricted to rewards redeemable at land based properties.
• HB 298 remains in the House Finance Committee and has not passed the Ohio House.

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Ohio Online Casino Plan Links Digital Play With Retail Gaming

Stewart wants Ohio iGaming legalization to benefit existing gaming properties rather than create a separate online market dominated by national brands.

“We would say that you can’t offer online promotional credits,” Stewart said during an iDevelopment and Economic Association panel. “You can offer promotional credits, but they need to be credits for the land-based casino.”

An operator could therefore attract an online casino customer with credits for use at a physical casino. Caesars, Hard Rock and PENN Entertainment already operate within Ohio, while major gaming groups commonly connect retail and digital play through loyalty programs.

Ohio law already permits promotional gaming credits at casinos under Ohio Casino Control Commission oversight. Sportsbooks can also offer promotions and bonuses under separate state rules. The new concept would treat online casino incentives differently by directing their value toward retail properties.

Stewart said the approach comes partly from the Ohio sports betting launch. DraftKings and FanDuel used large marketing budgets and national customer bases to take major online sportsbook positions, while smaller Ohio businesses had fewer resources for bonus offers.

He also wants iGaming licenses limited to existing Ohio casinos and racinos.

“If I introduce a bill and it immediately becomes this turf fight amongst all the different gaming interests, it’s dead on Day 1,” Stewart said.

Ohio iGaming Revenue Could Reach Hundreds Of Millions

HB 298, sponsored by Stewart and Representative Marilyn John, would legalize and regulate internet gambling and prohibit online sweepstakes games. The introduced bill includes a 28% tax on internet gambling receipts and a $50 million initial operator license fee. State fiscal analysis says legalization could add hundreds of millions of dollars in annual General Revenue Fund receipts.

Stewart has cited estimates of up to $400 million in annual state revenue from Ohio online casinos. Ohio also sits beside Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, where regulated iGaming already operates.

The licensing and retail bonus proposals could therefore become central parts of the next Ohio iGaming debate, especially as lawmakers consider how online casino tax revenue would fit future state budgets.

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FAQ

Is online casino gambling legal in Ohio?

No. Ohio currently allows casinos, racinos and regulated sports betting, but full online casino gaming has not been legalized.

What is Ohio HB 298?

HB 298 is an Ohio iGaming bill sponsored by Brian Stewart and Marilyn John. It would legalize internet gambling, create operator licensing and impose a 28% tax.

Would Ohio online casinos offer bonus credits?

Stewart has discussed prohibiting digital promotional credits while allowing rewards that players can redeem at physical casinos and racinos.

How much revenue could Ohio iGaming generate?

Stewart has cited estimates of up to $400 million per year. State fiscal analysis separately says HB 298 could produce hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

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