Ohio Waiting for Acton to Take Office to Pursue iGaming

Efforts to legalize online casinos in Ohio are on pause until Governor-elect Amy Acton (D) is sworn into office.

Two iGaming bills remain in the Ohio General Assembly after being introduced earlier in the legislative session. However, neither is expected to progress until the session comes to an end in December.

The chances of expanding the state’s casino-gaming market are believed to be higher with Acton taking the place of incumbent Mike DeWine (R).

Ohio waiting on iGaming

Ohio is not like other states that are strongly opposed to gambling expansion. The state allows retail casinos to offer slot machines, live-dealer table games, and other amenities. Sports betting was also legalized on Jan. 1, 2023, ushering in a new era in sports entertainment for residents and guests.

Additionally the state allows for horse race betting, charitable gaming, and a lottery overseen by the Ohio Lottery Commission. 

But DeWine persistently refused to consider legalizing iGaming. His stance was reinforced by his signing of a 2021 bill to legalize sports betting, which he called his biggest regret and mistake as Governor. 

Acton will offer a new perspective to DeWine’s opposition to further expanding online gambling. She is open to iGaming, citing the potential gain in tax revenue and its ability to lower the cost of living for Ohioans.

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,” Acton told the Statehouse News Bureau in September.

Acton is the first Democrat to win a gubernatorial campaign in Ohio in two decades. She defeated Republican challenger Vivek Ramaswamy with a 52.3-44.4% majority vote.

Bills have already been introduced

The two bills that will be considered once the next legislative session begins are House Bill 298 (HB 298) and Senate Bill 197 (SB 197).

HB 298, introduced by Rep. Brian Stewart (R-Ashville), aims to legalize online casinos through land-access partnerships with casinos and racinos. Gross gaming revenue generated by these platforms would face a 28% tax rate.

SB 197, presented by Sen. Nathan Manning (R-North Ridgeville), is a broader piece of legislation. It would legalize iGaming with the allowance for iLottery and online parimutuel horse race betting. 

Relatedly, Manning is no longer in the Senate. He retired from the position after Gov. DeWine appointed him to the Ninth District Court of Appeals in July to replace a retiring judge. Manning retained the seat during the midterm election.

Many gambling critics highlight the increased risk of addiction that is created through legalization. Acton has a keen sense of the relationship with personal health, given she previously worked as the Director of the Ohio Department of Health.

“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.”

She elaborated that she would only approve of an iGaming measure with a “very nuanced and comprehensive strategy.”