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- Ohio lawmakers indicate that internet casino legalization efforts will likely stall until a new gubernatorial administration takes office next year.
- Proponents argue that structured licensing and physical property promotion linkages can protect state revenue and support retail venues.
Ohio online casino legalization is unlikely to advance before the end of this year, but House Bill 298 sponsor Rep. Brian Stewart says a new governor in 2027 could create a better opening for the effort.
The comments matter because Ohio is one of the larger untapped iGaming opportunities in the U.S., with four casinos, seven racinos, legal sports betting and lottery products already in place. Stewart told SBC Americas that supporters still need to make a stronger case that online casino play can raise state revenue without unduly harming existing gambling businesses or worsening problem gambling.
HB 298 has had two hearings and remains in the House Finance Committee. Stewart said the bill is unlikely to move before the legislative session ends in December.
What HB 298 would do in Ohio
Stewart’s bill would authorize internet gambling under regulation from the Ohio Casino Control Commission. It would limit licenses to Ohio’s existing casinos and racinos, rather than opening the market to national online casino brands.
The proposal would apply a 28% tax on internet gambling receipts. Under the bill, 99% of tax proceeds would go to the state’s General Revenue Fund, while 1% would go to the Problem Gambling Fund.
Stewart said iGaming could generate as much as $400 million annually. But he also acknowledged persistent resistance inside the legislature, saying, “We just have a lot of legislators that don’t like gambling.”
HB 298 also takes a restrictive approach to promotions. The bill would prohibit licensed internet gambling operators from offering promotional credits for online gambling, while still allowing promotions tied to in-person gaming, accommodations, food, beverages, entertainment and other casino or racino offerings.
Stewart said the promotional deduction structure in Ohio online sports betting helped FanDuel and DraftKings establish dominance over local operators, and that lawmakers are trying to avoid a similar outcome in iGaming.
Why supporters are looking to 2027
A major obstacle is Gov. Mike DeWine’s repeated opposition to online casino expansion. DeWine leaves office in January 2027, and Stewart said that change could improve the political environment for legalization.
He also said newer lawmakers are not uniformly aligned with the coalition that approved sports betting in 2021, making another gambling expansion a harder sell. Stewart described a generational divide among legislators, saying, “Legislators my age and below, I get no pushback. My age and above, it’s a much harder sell.”
Stewart said opponents have raised concerns about the ease of gambling from a phone compared with traveling to a casino. He said winning broader support will require stronger answers on consumer protection and problem gambling programs.
The 2027 governor’s race could shape the next attempt. Democratic nominee Amy Acton has said she is open to regulated iGaming as a revenue source, while also calling for safeguards for young people and limits on predatory advertising. Republican nominee Vivek Ramaswamy has not laid out a clear position on iGaming.
For now, the immediate question is whether HB 298 receives any further hearings before the session ends. If not, supporters may be forced to wait until the next governor takes office to revive the effort.
Source: As reported by sbcamericas.com.
