To control an already thriving illegal market, Ohio lawmakers have introduced bills in the Senate and House to legalize online gambling. Under the law, racinos and casinos would be able to run online platforms under state supervision.
Ohio Republican legislators in the state House and Senate have presented separate legislation to allow internet gambling.
Ohio State Senator Nathan Manning, R-North Ridgeville, introduced Ohio Senate Bill 197 last week, while Ohio State Representatives Brian Stewart, R-Ashville, and Marilyn John, R-Richland County, introduced Ohio House Bill 298 this week.
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The bills overlap. Both pieces of legislation would regulate online gambling through the Ohio Casino Control Commission, and internet gaming would begin on March 31.
Almost all of the tax money from online gambling would go to the state’s general revenue budget, with 1% going to the Problem Gambling budget. Both legislation only allow Ohio casinos and racinos to be licensed as online gaming operators. To participate in internet gambling, one must be at least 21 years old and physically located in Ohio.
According to the politicians who have introduced these laws, Ohioans are already illegally gambling online.
“It is important to highlight that online gambling is already occurring in the state of Ohio,” Manning stated during his sponsor testimony before the Senate Select Committee on Gaming last week. “It is difficult to quantify an exact number, but it is clear there is significant illegal online gambling going on in the state, as there was illegal sports betting before it was legalized.”
Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia all allow internet gambling.
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