Ohio Governor DeWine: Sports Betting Was My Biggest Mistake

Michael Savio
By: Michael Savio
Sports Betting
Photo by Jason H. Salley, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Photo by Jason H. Salley, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Key Takeaways

  • DeWine says he wishes he vetoed the bill to legalize sports betting in Ohio
  • The Governor linked the rise in problem gambling to advertising regulations
  • He continued his campaign against player prop betting

If Ohio Governor Mike DeWine could do things over, sports betting would still be illegal.

The state’s top lawmaker sat down with cleveland.com to talk about his two-term career in office. At one point, DeWine brought up mistakes he made and cited legalizing sports betting as the biggest. The Governor didn’t shy away from the topic and acknowledged his role in it. 

With his time as Governor coming to a close next season, it appears responsible gaming advocates have a powerful new voice.

DeWine Shares Impact of Problem Gambling

DeWine cited several negative impacts of sports betting, including fueling the growth of problem gambling. He pointed out younger men as one of the industry's biggest victims.

“It’s a huge problem among young males up to 45. It’s a huge problem,” DeWine said during the interview with cleveland.com. “And we have many of them addicted, many of them spending money that they do not have.”

The age group DeWine highlights includes many men with families, including younger kids. Those families are being torn apart by problem gambling, spreading this growing mental health crisis at neck-breaking speed.

Ohio Governor Links Problem Gambling to Ad

While Ohio has strict regulations on sportsbook advertising, DeWine believes they aren’t enough. While operators are adhering to the rules, they are also reaching marketing deals with pro sports teams in the state. That allows them to place their logos on in-game ads and on commercials during the break. 

These partnerships have led to sports betting being constantly promoted as fans watch their favorite teams. Sportsbooks promote bonus offers and the thrill of big wins, making it a tempting proposition. That can be too much for those struggling with gambling addiction to resist, leading to relapse.

Player Props Remain a Danger

While DeWine spent significant time on problem gambling, he followed that by discussing the integrity of US sports. 

Betting scandals are becoming far more common, and one of the most shocking involved a pair of star pitchers from the Cleveland Guardians. The players were charged with spot-fixing single-pitch wagers. It involved controversial micro-betting, which is player prop bets focused on a single moment or play in a game.

After the charges were announced, DeWine immediately began campaigning to crack down on player prop betting. It led to micro-betting being banned, but the Governor fears that may not be enough to ensure that the games they watch and wager on are fair. As a result, he continues to push for stricter regulations or even a full ban on player prop betting.

Michael is a writer from Denver who covers the sports betting industry for Casino.com. He has been covering the industry for over four years, focusing on providing accurate and easy-to-understand information for readers. When he’s not covering the industry, he’s betting on sports or exploring everything that Colorado has to offer.