Lawmakers in Ohio Advocate for Legalizing Online Gaming and Lottery in Both Legislative Bodies
📍 Bada Bing! Ohio's iGaming and iLottery Legalization Status
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🗣 Let's Break It Down!
So, what's the buzz regarding Ohio's iGaming and iLottery legalization? Well, here it is! Two bills are up for the fight.
✋ House Bill 298 (HB 298)
Introduced by Reps. Brian Stewart and Marilyn John, this bill exclusively focuses on iGaming (online casino gaming). It limits the market to operators who already own casinos or racinos in Ohio, such as Caesars, MGM, PENN, and Hard Rock. The bill proposes an initial $50 million licensing fee for five years, followed by a $10 million annual renewal fee, plus additional fees. The tax rate on gross gaming revenue ranges from 26-28%, making it higher compared to states like Michigan.
🛑 SB 197 on the Horizon
Sponsored by Sen. Nathan Manning, SB 197 is a broader bill including iLottery, online horse racing, and more opportunities for out-of-state operators. Licensing and taxes differ for in-state and out-of-state operators. It also aims to reduce tax rates on land-based sports betting and legalize online lottery games, potentially generating more revenue for the state.
🚧 Legislative and Political Challenges
Both bills face challenges, including competing tax structures, opposing views on iLottery inclusion, and lack of unified legislative support. Governor Mike DeWine and House Speaker Matt Huffman have expressed concerns that could complicate the bills' progression. A realistic launch date for legal online casinos in Ohio would be mid to late 2026, given a successful bill passage and smooth regulatory implementation.
🤝 Let's Wrap It Up
While Ohio is working to legalize iGaming and iLottery through HB 298 and SB 197, nothing is set in stone yet. HB 298 proposes a more limited, higher-taxed online casino market while SB 197 expands the legalization to include iLottery, out-of-state participation, and online horse racing. The bills' progress is uncertain due to current political concerns and the Governor's stance. Stay tuned for updates! 🤯🚨🎰💰🤑⚽️🏀🚀🤘
- Grant Mitchell, an expert in sports betting, shares his insights on the sports betting industry in Las Vegas, where he enjoys playing blackjack in online casinos during his free time.
- Meanwhile, the sports-betting industry is closely monitoring the legalization status of iGaming and iLottery in Ohio, particularly the progress of House Bill 298 and Senate Bill 197.
- If passed, Ohio could join the ranks of states offering online gaming options, potentially attracting big players like Caesars, MGM, PENN, and Hard Rock to the market, depending on HB 298's exclusive focus on operators already owning casinos or racinos.
- In addition to managing the iGaming market, SB 197 could legalize online lottery games, online horse racing, and open opportunities for out-of-state operators, potentially generating substantial revenue for the state while lowering tax rates on land-based sports betting.
