Ohio state Rep. Brigid Kelly and state Rep. Dave Greenspan recently introduced a bill to legalize betting on professional and college sports. The Ohio Lottery Commission—expanded from nine to 11 members–would administer sports wagering. A new Sports Gaming Advisory Board would provide research and recommendations to the commission and the Casino Control Commission also would monitor sports betting.
Greenspan said, “At its core, this bill is intended to provide additional funding for public education in Ohio by making sports betting legal. The format and structure of the bill provides clarity as to the authority overseeing sports betting in Ohio while providing flexibility to address opportunities and challenges facing this newly legalized industry.”
Sports betting revenue would be taxed at 10 percent, with a portion dedicated to public education and 2 percent directed to the problem gambling and addiction fund.
Meanwhile, MGM Resorts International supports a bill that would allow Ohio’s four casinos and seven racinos to offer sports book, said MGM Northfield Park President and COO Chris Kelley last week.
He told the Akron Beacon-Journal “MGM has been a leader in sports betting for over 25 years and we think we’ve demonstrated the ability to work effectively with lawmakers, with regulators and bring an experience to the guest that they value,” adding “So we certainly would love to see something like that happen.”
The company would also like to see the legislature approve of able games at the state’s seven racinos, which are limited to video lottery terminal games. The four casino resorts in the state’s largest cities offer table games, along with slots.
Gaming is certainly on the minds of Buckeye State lawmakers. A bill was introduced the same day Kelley spoke that would legalize sports book with the Lottery Commission overseeing it. The Senate has a similar bill, but with the Ohio Casino Control Commission in charge.
Kelley’s comments were in conjunction with a ceremony where MGM took over ownership of the state’s most productive casino, racino or casino resort from Hard Rock International. The event included the unveiling of MGM’s 7 foot tall, 350-pound iconic Leo the Lion statue at the racino’s entrance.
Besides rebranding the property, MGM changed over the names of eateries, bars and entertainment venues, jettisoning rock and roll memorabilia while keeping some old names like Kosar’s Wood-Fired Grill, which is named after Cleveland Brown player Bernie Kosar.
