Add Ohio to the list of potential large-market states to consider legalizing sports betting as a new bill to allow both live and online sportsbooks has been introduced in the state legislature.
A shell bill was introduced in 2018, but the filing indicated the legislature would consider sports betting this year. The bill was introduced by state Senators John Eklund, a Republican, and Sean O’Brien, a Democrat.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has indicated he supports the legalization of sports betting in the state, but did not include any sports betting revenue in the state’s proposed 2019 budget.
“Certainly, it is something the legislature is going to look at,” DeWine told Cleveland.com “I would anticipate, candidly, that certainly within the life of this budget that it will take place in the legislature, and there will be funds in regard to that. But we didn’t want to count on that. It’s not in place now.”
A 2017 study from Oxford Economics predicted that Ohio could see more than $9 billion in annual sports betting handle and more than $600 million in taxable gaming revenue if it legalizes sports betting.
The bill would limit online betting to players within the state’s borders and tax sports betting revenue at 6.25 percent. Operators would pay a $100,000 application fee.
According to the bill, casinos and licensed video lottery facilities would be eligible to apply for licenses. Online-only sportsbooks, such as FanDuel or DraftKings, would have to find partners with existing license holders.
