Ohio may be on the verge of expanding its gambling laws again—this time to allow online casinos and internet-based lottery play. A new bill is now under review by lawmakers, adding fresh momentum to the Buckeye State’s push toward a wider iGaming market.
Good to know
- Senate Bill 197 proposes a 36% tax for in-house operators and 40% for partnered platforms.
- Online horserace betting and a state-run digital lottery are also part of the proposal.
- Ohio is considering two separate bills for legalizing online gaming.
Senator Nathan Manning recently introduced Senate Bill 197, which would legalize internet-based gambling in Ohio. The bill is now being discussed by the Select Committee on Gaming. If passed, it would allow online betting on horseracing, internet lottery games, and other forms of iGaming.
A key part of the bill involves taxation. Operators running their own online platforms would be taxed at 36% of revenue. However, companies that use third-party platforms would pay a higher rate of 40%.
SB 197 is not the only measure aiming to bring iGaming to Ohio. House Bill 96, introduced last week by Representative Brian Stewart, also seeks to expand legal gambling in the state. That bill has already passed in the House and is now being considered in the Senate.
Stewart’s goal is to broaden the gambling market beyond sports betting. He has positioned HB 96 as a way to increase state revenue through legal online casino activity. Both bills reflect a growing interest among Ohio lawmakers to tap into the digital gaming market, which remains less developed than sports wagering.
When the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the ban on sports betting seven years ago, states rapidly moved to legalize it. Online casino gaming, however, has seen a slower rollout.
Other states pushing for iGaming
Ohio is not the only state exploring new online gambling laws. Indiana also proposed a bill—House Bill 1432—to introduce legal iGaming and an online lottery. That effort stalled in February when it failed to pass out of the House Public Policy Committee.
Connecticut is another state revisiting its approach to digital gaming. Lawmakers are reviewing Senate Bill 1235, which would redefine certain gaming terms and block the resale of lottery tickets and the use of ticket courier services. The bill has been placed on the legislative calendar, according to a report from LegiScan.
If SB 1235 moves forward, it could also change how gaming licenses are regulated in the state, particularly regarding the Department of Consumer Protection’s oversight powers.
The post Ohio Senate Reviews New Bill to Legalize Online Gambling appeared first on iGaming.org.