Ohio state Rep. Bill Coley says the state should either legalize sports betting or crack down on the enforcement of the existing law against it.
Coley, interviewed by Legal Sports Report, said “If we think sports betting can be a healthy endeavor that we can enhance, maybe we should look at legalizing it and putting it in a safe and secure environment. If we want to keep a ban in place, I’ve got some ideas to empower our Casino Control Commission to create a law enforcement wing and empower them to really enforce the ban.” He concluded, “One thing I hope we don’t do is leave the status quo in place.”
Although Coley’s position on sports betting seems cryptic, when the U.S. Supreme Court lifted the ban in May he praised the decision: “to hold the federal government accountable for unconstitutionally violating the states’ ability to make their own policy decisions on the matter of sports betting.”
Coley has participated in several international panel discussions on sports betting and on the Department of Justice’s recent controversy reinterpretation of the federal Wire Act.
He said, “I can take what I’ve learned from around the world and make sure the law is crafted in a way that whatever we do maximizes the fun and minimizes the harm.” He added, “I’m of the opinion that if we’re not going to allow sports betting in the state, let’s enforce our laws, invest in problem gambling organizations and get treatment for people who need help.”
If it is legalized, he wants to see the Buckeye state create consumer protections, create anti-money laundering procedures and collect enough data to prevent match fixing.
He concluded, “I think you have to back up whatever you do with strict law enforcement.”
Senator John Eklund has said he plans to file a bill that already has bipartisan support and which has a better than even chance of passage.
Coley does not support the “integrity fee” that professional sports leagues are lobbying for. He compares it to a farmer asking to be paid extra to deliver quality crops to market.
“So for questions on integrity fees and sharing revenues with the league, I think when they start paying soybean farmers and wheat farmers for their efforts, then we ought to talk to the sports leagues.”
