Share 
This image was created entirely by AI with guidance from our editorial team.
Bonus TL;DR
- Ohio state Sen. Bill DeMora introduced Senate Bill 479 to prohibit election gambling in Ohio, including on prediction markets such as Kalshi and Polymarket.
- Senate Bill 479 awaits committee assignment, and the Ohio Senate is next scheduled to meet on Nov. 10.
Ohio state Sen. Bill DeMora introduced Senate Bill 479 this month to ban election gambling, including on prediction markets such as Kalshi and Polymarket.
The proposal would put election wagering on those platforms within Ohio’s prohibition. It comes as millions of dollars have been bet on the state’s governor and Senate races, according to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
DeMora said his goal is to protect confidence in election results. According to him, 32 states already prohibit election gambling, and he wants Ohio to become the 33rd.
“Anything that is taking the reliability and people’s confidence away from election results is not a good thing, and I don’t think we should be betting on these outcomes,” DeMora said.
Millions Bet on Ohio Election Races
NBC4 reported the following amounts wagered on Ohio races:
| Platform | Governor’s race | Senate race |
|---|---|---|
| Kalshi, as of Oct. 27 | $5.2 million | $8.6 million |
| Polymarket | $1 million | $1.8 million |
The proposal follows a federal court ruling that prediction markets can be subject to state gambling laws, a determination Kalshi is challenging, NBC4 reported.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine also criticized prediction markets, saying they are trying to circumvent gambling laws and that “it’s clear this is gambling.”
DeMora Seeks Broader Prediction-Market Regulation
Beyond the election betting ban, DeMora wants additional regulation of prediction markets. He argues Ohio is losing millions of dollars in unpaid taxes and licensing fees.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission regulates the state’s casinos and legal betting pathways, including online sports gaming. Initial sports betting license fees range from $50,000 to $2.5 million, depending on the license, according to NBC4.
SB 479 awaits committee assignment. NBC4 reported that action is unlikely until lawmakers return from their break after the Nov. 3 election. The Ohio Senate’s next scheduled session is Nov. 10.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
More from bonus.com – Polymarket Launches First U.S. Political Ad Campaign Ahead of Midterms – Kalshi Warns State Oversight Could Push U.S. Prediction Markets Offshore – Trump, Walz Lead Political Prediction Market Volume Rankings Across Kalshi and Polymarket
Source: As reported by NBC4 WCMH-TV.
