Ohio’s Senator John Eklund, chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, expects a sports betting bill to be introduced by March.
The Buckeye state’s legislative calendar extends most of the year and debate on such a bill could conceivably extend until late this year, although Eklund doesn’t anticipate that happening.
The senator told US Bets “It’s a little hard to predict. We’re continuing to work with interested parties, and there are a number of competing views of the world that we’re trying to resolve in advance so that once it’s introduced, the framework is understood. I’d rather do as much of that upfront, before introducing the bill, as we can, so that we spend substantive time, once the bill is introduced, rather than arguing theory.”
Another three weeks of hearings will set the stage for that, said Eklund, who is not going to be spurred into action by other states trying to enter the sports betting field. “I don’t feel any urgency because of what other states are doing, or when they are doing it,” he said. “The urgency to me is that we introduced a placeholder bill last year that said it was our intention to formulate a policy and pass a statute, and I’d like to keep my word. I would rather, however, make sure we’re doing it right, that we’re first in class.”
The attitude of most people in the state, including Eklund, has evolved on sports betting. Originally something the senator considered “kooky,” “but I am learning more and more that there are many vendors out there who profess to have the means by which to maintain the security in that space, to maintain integrity. So I guess I am to the point where now I would say, yeah, I see where that would be something worth considering.”
He wants a bill balanced between micro-managing and not giving sufficient guidance as to what will and won’t be allowed.
Shortly after being elected, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine last year said sports betting is inevitable. He told News 5 Cleveland, “It’s coming to Ohio, whether people want it or not. I think it’s important for Ohio to do it right,” DeWine added. “We just need to make sure it’s done so we control as much as we can.”
Eklund commented that he’s confident DeWine will want to protect families and communities before he agrees to sign new legislation.
