The Ohio legislature’s stagnancy when it comes to passing sports betting does not rest well with the pro sports teams in the state. They want a deal before the legislature adjourns for the summer. The Ohio Professional Sports Coalition says the delays leave millions of dollars on the table, according to the Statehouse News Bureau.
The devil is not in the details of the betting apparatus, but in which agency should regulate the industry. The teams favor the Ohio Casino Control Commission to regulate sportsbooks at the state’s four casinos and seven racinos. Alas, others want it under the Ohio Lottery Commission which would expand eligible operators.
Curt Steiner, the Coalition spokesman, says since other states have succeeded, the legislature does not have to reinvent the wheel.
“Ohio has the opportunity to get it right and the way to get it right is to allow the sports teams to have fair market access, to have healthy competition, to limit the number of licenses, and to give fans the opportunities to engage with their favorite teams.”
State Senator Kirk Schuring told WOL-AM that the legislature is close to bringing legislation to the floor.
“I think we are near consensus,” he said. “We’re going to wrap it all together.”
The proposed bill permits mobile and retail sportsbooks for casinos, racetracks, and professional teams, and e-bingo veterans and fraternal organizations. Still undecided is whether bowling alleys, bars, restaurants and convenience stores will be able to become operators or who will regulate the sportsbooks.
