Ohio could become the latest U.S. state to legalize online casino and poker games under a new proposal introduced by Republican state lawmaker Brian Stewart.
House Bill 96, unveiled by Rep. Stewart (R-Ashville), seeks to expand the state’s gambling laws beyond its current sports betting framework to include online casino gaming and virtual poker. Stewart, who chairs the House Finance Committee, said the move is intended to generate new revenue for the state, particularly for K–12 education.
Stewart said he is drafting legislation to introduce iGaming in Ohio as a way to boost state revenue.
The bill follows a report from a legislative commission formed in the previous budget cycle that studied the potential effects of legalizing online gambling and lottery services. The report concluded that states with legal iGaming or iLottery have seen significant tax revenue increases without adversely affecting in-person lottery sales.
“These tax revenue benefits to the state and funding that could be provided to our K-12 education system cannot be overlooked,” wrote Reps. Jeff LaRe, Cindy Abrams, and Jay Edwards in the 2023 report.
The proposal comes as Ohio lawmakers removed Governor Mike DeWine’s previously suggested tax hikes on sports betting, marijuana, and cigarettes from the House version of the state budget. The Senate is still reviewing the budget.
Still, some lawmakers and industry stakeholders have expressed concern over how iGaming might affect Ohio’s four casinos and seven racinos. Legislators have stressed that any expansion of online gambling must not undercut existing brick-and-mortar venues.
It is unclear whether Gov. DeWine would back the bill. While he has not publicly commented on iGaming, he retains veto power and had previously called for increased gambling taxes in other areas.
1
20
20
