Amy Acton will be Ohio’s next governor. Her win brings new attention to the debate over legal online casinos.
The former Ohio Department of Health director defeated Republican Vivek Ramaswamy in the November 3, 2026, election, becoming the first woman elected governor in state history. She will succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Mike DeWine.
For anyone following the Ohio online casino debate, the important question is what Acton might support once she takes office. During her campaign, she described online gambling as a possible source of revenue for public services and efforts to lower living costs. At the same time, she called for strong rules to protect young people and limit harmful advertising.
That position creates room for debate. It does not mean legalization is guaranteed. But it follows an exceptionally strong revenue month for Ohio’s brick-and-mortar casinos. It also comes at a time when Ohio lawmakers are trying to limit prediction markets in the state.
What Has Amy Acton Said About Online Casinos?
Acton has linked possible gambling revenue to the cost of living and the services Ohio residents need. However, she has also made clear that her background as a physician would shape her approach.
In an interview with the Statehouse News Bureau, Acton said:
“Certainly I see it as a source of revenue that can help fund the proposals that we need to help bring down the cost of living in this state and provide for the services we need to fund.”
She followed that statement with concerns about regulation, advertising, and youth protection. Rather than calling for a simple expansion, she described her intended approach as “a very nuanced and comprehensive strategy.”
Her comments point toward three priorities:
- Considering online gambling revenue as a way to support public needs.
- Creating a regulatory system that addresses public-health risks.
- Protecting young people and stopping what she called “predatory advertising.”
Those priorities explain her general direction. The interview does not establish a specific tax rate, licensing system, or launch date.
Are Ohio Online Casinos Legal Now?
Ohio does not currently authorize real-money online casinos or online poker. But sweepstakes casinos are available in The Buckeye State. Recent reporting also indicates that the main proposals to legalize those activities have not passed either chamber of the legislature.
That distinction matters when discussing the state’s gambling market. An online casino proposal concerns games such as internet slots and table games—not simply the ability to place a sports bet on a phone. House Bill 298 would create a separate legal framework for internet gambling under the Ohio Casino Control Commission.
Acton’s election does not change those rules by itself. Her campaign comments describe a policy position, while legislation would be needed to establish the proposed licensing and tax system.
What Would House Bill 298 Do?
House Bill 298 offers one example of how Ohio lawmakers have proposed regulating online casinos. It should not be confused with an Amy Acton gambling plan: it is a legislative proposal with its own rules and revenue formula.
According to the Ohio Legislative Service Commission’s analysis, the bill would:
- Place internet gambling under the Ohio Casino Control Commission.
- Limit operator licenses to Ohio casino operators and horse racetrack owners.
- Allow each licensed operator one internet gambling platform.
- Impose a 28% tax on internet gambling receipts.
- Direct 99% of the tax proceeds remaining after administrative costs to the state’s general revenue fund.
- Direct the remaining 1% to the Problem Gambling Fund.
These details show why the next debate would involve more than a yes-or-no vote on online casinos. Lawmakers would also need to decide who could operate them, how much they would pay, and where the revenue would go.
The bill’s proposed tax structure also does not mean new revenue would automatically be reserved for schools, childcare, or property tax relief. Its general-fund approach differs from a dedicated funding promise for any single program.
Why Ohio’s Constitution Could Complicate Legalization
Ohio’s casino rules are rooted in its constitution, not just state law. Article XV, Section 6 authorizes casino gaming at four facilities in specified locations and establishes requirements for operators, taxes, and revenue distribution.
That creates an important question for online expansion: can lawmakers authorize internet casino games through ordinary legislation, or would constitutional restrictions apply?
The Ohio Legislative Service Commission flagged that issue in its analysis of House Bill 298. It said a court could examine whether the legislature has the authority to authorize internet gambling and whether existing constitutional casino requirements would apply. The analysis also stated that the Ohio Supreme Court had not ruled on those questions.
The distinction could affect both the legal process and the financial details. Ohio’s constitution imposes a 33% tax on existing casino revenue and requires a specific distribution formula. House Bill 298 proposes a different tax rate and distribution system for internet gambling.
A constitutional question does not automatically mean voters must approve a new amendment. It does mean that passing a bill might not settle every legal issue.
What Would Need to Happen Next?
Acton would enter office with a potential opening for discussion, but she would still need cooperation from lawmakers. Election coverage describes a Republican-controlled statehouse, making cross-party agreement an important part of any legislative path.
Several issues remain central to that debate:
- Legislative agreement. Lawmakers would need to agree on whether to authorize online casinos and what the rules should include. House Bill 298 provides one proposed framework, not an enacted system.
- Consumer safeguards. Acton’s comments suggest that youth protection, advertising limits, and a strong regulatory environment would be major concerns.
- Revenue decisions. A final proposal would need to establish tax rates and determine whether revenue supports the general budget, specific programs, or both.
- Constitutional authority. Any expansion would need to account for the unresolved legal questions identified by the state’s legislative analysts.
For now, Amy Acton’s position is best understood as openness with conditions. She has identified a possible revenue source while insisting that public-health protections belong at the center of the discussion. Whether that approach produces an Ohio online casino law will depend on the legislation, negotiations, and legal questions that follow.
