Ohio Lawmakers Propose Ban on Online Sports Betting

Ohio Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Ban Online Sports Betting – Proposed Act Would Restrict Wager Types and Require In Person Betting

Key Takeaways

• Ohio State Representatives have introduced the Save Ohio Sports Act to ban online sports betting in the state.
• The bill would prohibit in game betting, proposition bets, parlay bets, and all collegiate sports wagering.
• Individual wagers would be capped at $100, with a maximum of eight bets per 24 hours.
• All sports betting would be limited to in person wagering at Ohio’s four authorized casinos.
• In April, Ohio recorded $800.1 million in total sports wagers, with $786.0 million generated online.

Save Ohio Sports Act Seeks to End Online Sports Betting

State Representatives Johnathan Newman of Troy and Beth Lear of Galena have introduced legislation that would fundamentally reshape Ohio’s sports betting market. The proposed measure, titled the Save Ohio Sports Act, aims to strengthen consumer protection by banning online sports betting and restricting several commonly used wagering formats.

If enacted, the bill would require all sports betting in Ohio to take place in person at one of the state’s four authorized casinos. Online wagering, which currently accounts for the vast majority of betting activity in the state, would no longer be permitted.

The legislation awaits a bill number and committee assignment.

Ban on Specific Bet Types and Collegiate Sports Wagering

Beyond prohibiting online betting, the proposal includes a series of restrictions focused on both consumer protection and sports integrity. The bill comprises nine measures in total, with five centered on consumer safeguards and four addressing sports integrity.

Under the proposal, in game betting would be banned. Proposition bets and parlay bets would also be prohibited. In addition, the bill seeks to eliminate all wagering on collegiate athletics.

The legislation further aims to protect the integrity of sports by limiting betting activity in venues and during live broadcasts. According to the bill’s sponsors, these measures are designed to reduce what they describe as predatory industry practices and to safeguard athletic competition.

Spending Limits and Restrictions on Financial Practices

The Save Ohio Sports Act would introduce strict limits on how much and how often individuals can wager. The proposal caps individual bets at $100 and limits bettors to eight wagers within a 24 hour period.

The bill would also prohibit the use of debt to place bets. In addition, it would restrict financial inducements offered by operators. These provisions form part of the consumer protection framework outlined in the legislation.

Representative Newman stated that the bill is intended to address concerns about addiction and the broader social impact of gambling. Representative Lear also emphasized concerns related to mental health and the expansion of gambling activities in the state.

Support From Advocacy Group

The Center for Christian Virtue welcomed the introduction of the legislation. The organization described the proposal as bringing safeguards to address what it characterized as the rapid expansion of sports betting in Ohio.

According to the group’s president, the Save Ohio Sports Act would not ban sports betting outright but would introduce guardrails intended to protect vulnerable residents and preserve the integrity of athletic competition.

Current Market Data Shows Dominance of Online Betting

The proposed ban comes as online betting represents the overwhelming majority of sports wagering in Ohio. In April, total sports wagers in the state reached $800.1 million, marking a 1 percent year on year decline.

Of that total, $786.0 million was generated through online wagering. Betting revenue for the month amounted to $89.1 million, with $88.4 million attributed to online operations.

These figures illustrate the scale of online betting activity relative to in person wagering. If the proposed legislation were enacted, this segment of the market would be eliminated, and all betting would shift to physical casino locations.

What the Proposal Would Mean for Bettors and Operators

For users, the bill would significantly alter how sports betting can be accessed in Ohio. Online accounts, mobile wagering, and digital betting platforms would no longer be available under the proposed framework. Betting would be confined to physical casino premises and subject to strict monetary and frequency limits.

For operators, the legislation would remove online sports betting as a revenue channel within the state. Given that nearly all recorded wagers and revenue in April were generated online, the financial structure of the market would change substantially if the bill becomes law.

At this stage, the legislation has been introduced but has not yet been assigned to a committee. Further legislative review and debate will determine whether the proposed restrictions move forward.

Our Assessment

The Save Ohio Sports Act proposes a comprehensive restructuring of the state’s sports betting framework. It would ban online wagering, prohibit several popular bet types including in game, proposition, parlay, and collegiate bets, and impose strict limits on wager amounts and frequency. Current market data shows that online betting accounts for the majority of wagering and revenue in Ohio, meaning the proposal would materially affect both access for bettors and revenue channels for operators if enacted.