Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine told reporters this week that he does not believe now is the right time to legalize online casino gambling in the Buckeye State, signaling opposition to a legislative push that had already faced steep headwinds from brick-and-mortar gaming interests. The statement is the latest sign that Ohio, despite being one of the country's larger and more active sports betting markets, has no clear near-term path to a licensed iGaming industry.
DeWine's reluctance toward gambling expansion has been a defining feature of Ohio's gaming policy in recent years. He publicly called his 2022 decision to sign the sports betting legalization bill one of the biggest mistakes of his governorship, citing concerns about addiction and the social effects of expanded access. The governor has since pushed to increase the sports betting tax rate — twice proposing hikes that would have doubled the rate, both of which were stripped out of budget negotiations by lawmakers concerned about investment.
What the Bills Would Do
Two pieces of legislation are currently working through the Ohio General Assembly. House Bill 298, sponsored by Rep. Brian Stewart, would authorize 11 online casino licenses for the state's existing casino and racino operators at a $50 million license fee, with gaming revenue taxed at 28 percent. Senate Bill 197, introduced by Sen. Ethan Manning, covers similar ground at a higher proposed tax rate of 36 percent and also includes provisions for iLottery and pari-mutuel horse racing wagering online.
Proponents argue that the state is losing more than $600 million in annual tax revenue to neighboring states with licensed online casino markets, and that Ohio residents are already gambling online through unregulated platforms. Opponents, led by the National Association Against iGaming and operators including JACK Entertainment, counter that online casinos would cannibalize revenues from land-based properties and the state lottery.
A Narrowing Window
DeWine's stated opposition narrows the window for either bill to advance in the current legislative session. Any expansion of online casino gaming would require either his signature or a veto override, and the governor's public comments make either scenario unlikely without significant political pressure. His track record — blocking sports betting tax hikes while simultaneously expressing regret about the industry's social impact — suggests he is unlikely to sign a bill that expands access to a new form of gambling.
Ohio currently operates one of the largest legal Ohio sportsbooks in the country, with 15 licensed online operators and a tax rate of 20 percent on gross gaming revenue. The state launched regulated sports betting on January 1, 2023, and has consistently ranked among the top five states by monthly handle. Online casino gaming and poker remain prohibited, and sweepstakes casino sites occupy a legal gray zone that regulators have watched closely.
For the iGaming industry, the immediate path in Ohio now runs through the next election cycle rather than the current legislative session. Until the governor's office changes hands or DeWine's position shifts, the state's residents who want to access licensed online casino games will likely continue crossing into neighboring states like Michigan and Pennsylvania, where regulated iGaming has been available for years.
