Ohio Gubernatorial Candidate Supports Online Casino Legalization

A candidate to become Ohio’s next governor endorsed legalizing online casinos because of their strong potential to generate taxable revenue. 

Amy Acton (D), who is up against Vivek Ramaswamy (R), told Statehouse News Bureau that iGaming could help pay for public projects and lower the cost of living for Ohio residents. Ramaswamy did not declare a specific stance on the matter.

Ohio has already legalized sports betting and retail casino gambling. It has also felt the nationwide presence of prediction markets, which offer event contracts to customers but aren’t required to pay state gaming taxes.

Ohio Gov. hopeful backs online casinos

Acton and Ramaswamy are locked in a nearly inseparable race, according to the latest polls. 

The Democrat publicly declaring her support for iGaming means that Ohio could head down a path mostly untraveled by other states. There are only eight legal iGaming jurisdictions, and only seven of those (Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Rhode Island and West Virginia) are live. Maine expects to launch its market before the end of the year.

Online casinos — which offer table games, blackjack, slot machines, and other forms of entertainment — have drawn criticism for their potentially addictive nature. However, Acton sees the upside of improving everyday lives for residents. 

“Certainly, I see it as a source of revenue that can help fund the proposals that we need to help bring down the cost of living in this state and provide for the services we need to fund,” she told Statehouse News Bureau.

Acton’s support does not come without the necessary scrutiny. She cited her background as the Director of the Ohio Department of Health and Chief Health Advisor while noting that iGaming would not be legalized without first assembling the appropriate legal framework.

"I am a doctor and a public health professional, and I want to make sure we have the right regulatory environment around it,” she said. “I want to make sure we stop the sort of predatory advertising we’re seeing, and I want to make sure our young people are protected.”

Acton wants action

The Ohio gubernatorial election will be held on the same day as the midterm elections on Nov. 3. 

Acton cannot officially propose or support any legislation until she is sworn into office, assuming she wins the election. She was clear in saying that she wouldn’t rush to get the first proposal over the line, but would instead explore options that reduce costs for citizens and are supported by agreeable regulations.

Ramaswamy’s lack of commitment to either side of the coin leaves an uncertain future for the state’s gambling industry if he were to be elected by Ohioans in a couple of months. 

“What I’m committed to is whatever we do, it is going to be done in a responsible way that protects Ohioans,” he said.

Online casinos can become a huge source of tax funding for states. Additionally, three of the five largest gaming states in America in 2025 had legal iGaming markets, despite only 14% of states maintaining these legal markets.  

Ohio imposes a 20% tax rate on sports gaming gross revenue for online sportsbooks and 33% on retail casinos. Since Acton is not in office, tangible conversations have not been had about what standard iGaming operators would have to pay to the state.