When it comes to online casinos, Ohio is being cautious. As online gaming becomes legal in more and more states, Ohio could eventually follow. The situation is complex because some legislators are keen to introduce online gaming in Ohio but others are totally against it.
Study commission on the future of gaming in Ohio
Senator Nathan Manning and Representative Jay Edwards recently co-chaired a study commission into online gaming. Both previously sponsored Ohio’s online sports betting which the state passed in 2021. The result of the meetings was a 354-page report containing the testimony of all the stakeholders. The conclusion from the meetings was that iGaming would have a future ‘net benefit’ to the state.
Ohio needs an online casino bill sponsor
Edwards could take on online casino legislation in the House but it’s his last year in office due to term limits. He hopes that any general assembly will take the report from the study committee into account in the future. The state doesn’t have many opportunities to bring in new revenue streams and he believes iGaming could be a great opportunity.
There don’t seem to be any plans in the pipeline to introduce iGaming legislation next year. Representative Bill Seitz is another Ohio legislator with an interest in gaming, but his term is also about to expire. He says he doesn’t know who else would have an interest in filing iGaming legislation. Manning’s last year in office is 2026, and he may introduce legislation then, but he made it clear that he won’t be doing so in 2025.
The Senate will need more convincing than the House
Online casino efforts are likely to begin in the House as they did with online sports betting. However, the Senate is in no rush to expand any gaming in the state, including iGaming. Senate Republicans are concerned that iGaming will not only bring profits but also social costs to the state. Manning hopes that legislators can learn from the successes and mistakes in the neighboring states of Pennsylvania and Michigan.
iGaming impact on brick-and-mortar casinos
Sen. Bill DeMora is one of the most pro-union legislators in Ohio and has concerns about what impact iGaming could have on brick-and-mortar casino jobs. When there aren’t sufficient funds to meet operational needs, it has a negative impact on the business finance of retail casinos and employees start to lose their jobs. DeMora says that until he can see studies and facts that iGaming doesn’t hurt retail casinos and people aren’t going to lose their jobs, he is cautious about it. Otherwise, he is not opposed to online gambling and is open to discussions about implementing it in Ohio.
Online gambling in Ohio is coming but it could take a while
US gambling legalization is rolling out in many states but it looks like it will be a while before it comes to Ohio. Sen. Manning is confident that it will eventually come to Ohio but he doesn’t think it’s going to happen while he is still in office.
He points out that the citizens of Ohio want to be able to gamble online like citizens in neighboring states. He was surprised to find out how much more these states make from iGaming than from sports betting. He believes that if online gaming can be introduced responsibly, it would be a win-win situation for everyone. The state and citizens could benefit, and it would help to reduce the size of the black market.
Governor not in favor of gambling
Governor Mike DeWine has never supported gambling and regretted signing the sports betting bill. He led the initiative to double the sports betting tax rate. His concerns are mainly about excessive advertising and the targeting of younger people. He terms out at the end of 2026 and is unlikely to sign a bill supporting online casinos.
A new governor will take over in 2027 and will have to introduce an executive budget for the following two fiscal years. If an economic downturn in state revenues is seen, this could affect the attitude toward introducing iGaming. Ohio lawmakers have time to prepare and address concerns such as job loss and the societal impact of problem gambling.
