The Ohio Legislature’s quest to legalize online gaming in the state stands to become more difficult in 2025, as state Rep. Bill Sieitz, one of the most staunch supporters of gambling measures over his 24 years in the General Assembly, has announced he will not run for the Ohio Senate in 2024 when his term-limited career in the Ohio House ends.
The Republican has been Majority Floor Leader of the House since 2017. He was a leading advocate for the 2009 constitutional amendment that paved the way for casino gambling in Ohio and was instrumental in clearing sports betting, which was launched at the beginning of this year.
The legislature has been unsuccessful in adding online casino gaming to sports betting. GamblingCompliance.com has estimated online casinos could generate more than $254 million in annual tax revenue, compared to around $70 million generated so far this year from online sports betting.
Experts say that despite the departure of one of its strongest advocates, online casino gaming will be legalized in the state sooner rather than later.
