Lawmakers Exploring Introducing Online Gambling Into Ohio Hear From Advocates of the Concept

Lawmakers in Columbus heard evidence Tuesday in support of House Bill 298, one of two proposals in the state aimed at allowing Ohioans to play casino games like poker, roulette, and slots online.

Those who testified agreed that this would be a tax income generator for the state, which voters effectively shut off when they authorized casinos in 2009.

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“With Ohio’s large, growing market, we believe that iGaming can contribute more than $600 million in annual tax revenue,” stated Cesar Fernandez, FanDuel’s head of government relations. “And that’s net new tax revenue for the state.”

The issue is, at whose expense? Critics believe that the option to play casino games on your phone at any time and from any location would exacerbate the issue of problem gambling. Those who spoke in support of House Bill 298 stated that they are already illegally gambling online in Ohio at an estimated two dozen sites.

“The vast majority of the people that will do this are already doing it,” said Scott Ward of the Sports Betting Alliance. “$5 billion is being bet currently in the state of Ohio today in illegal online casino gaming.”

The main point of contention is the impact on the state’s physical casino locations. When given the opportunity, won’t gamblers just prefer to play online, as they do with sports betting, where approximately 98% of bets are placed online?

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