Ohio is getting close to legalizing online casinos.
According to the Statehouse Bureau News, a new bill has been introduced that has the potential to legalize online casinos in Ohio. Spearheaded by Sen. Nathan Manning, this legislation proposes to expand online gambling options. This includes not just sports betting but also poker, casino games for money, lottery games, and horse race betting.
If passed, it would give Ohioans easy access to online casinos through their phones or laptops. The bill's details will be laid out today in the newly established Senate Select Committee on Gaming.
If the law is changed, Ohio would be added to the short list of states with legalized online casinos. For context, Delaware was the first state to legalize online casinos in 2012, according to Vegas Insider.
Support Growing for Ohio Online Casino Bill
House Finance Chair Brian Stewart is on board with the plan.
He actually introduced another Ohio online casino bill earlier this month, and is sharing his commitment to establishing iGaming in Ohio. His goal is aligned with generating additional state revenue through this initiative. But he's not alone.
There is a noticeable change in attitudes toward gambling within the Ohio leadership.
Senate President Rob McColley highlighted a departure from past hesitations, noting that Ohioans are increasingly interested in having more choices for spending their money recreationally. Conversations are ongoing with the House to clearly define the aspirational language surrounding gaming in the state's budget.
These sentiments are echoed by Speaker Matt Huffman (R-Lima), who recognized a shift in perspective over the years. He remarked that while gambling was once seen as taboo, it is now considered a viable revenue source. State leaders, along with the public, are leaning toward accepting gambling as a way to fund essential services without increasing taxes.
The Historical Battle for Legalization in Ohio
To appreciate the current momentum, it's crucial to understand the rocky journey of gambling legalization in Ohio. The process started back in September when Ohio State Senator Niraj Antani put forward Senate Bill 312.
This bill proposed letting each of the state's 11 casinos run their own online platform. However, it wasn't pre-filed for 2025 since it was intended for the 2024 session, and Antani is no longer serving in office, so it fizzled. But something like this happening is not new in Ohio.
The current push for online casinos in Ohio comes after a state report indicated that online gambling could increase revenue without negatively impacting traditional casinos.
Some lawmakers believe that tax income from online gambling can help fund K–12 education and other public services.
Addressing Concerns and Ensuring Responsible Gaming
Even with the positive prospects of expanded online gambling, challenges remain.
As Minority Leader Nickie Antonio pointed out in the Statehouse Bureau News article, she wants to see the state to improve mental health programs simultaneously. The objective is to minimize the social impact of gambling addiction.
Ensuring that gambling remains a beneficial, not detrimental, addition to Ohio's economy requires balancing accessibility with responsibility. The ongoing discussions emphasize creating a framework where new online platforms coexist and cooperate with existing casinos and service providers.
Ohio Online Casino Is First Step to Legalization
As Ohio stands on the brink of this significant legislative shift, it embodies a broader transformation in societal norms around gambling. If the new bill passes, Ohioans could soon experience what the online gambling environment has to offer. Although Senator Manning's new bill takes The Buckeye State one step closer to making online casinos legal, there are still some issues to sort out.
While Ohio works on legalizing online casinos, residents can try social and sweepstakes casinos on the internet. These sites let you play games for fun, and you can also buy virtual currency that might win you cash prizes.
Places like Clubs Poker, Pulsz Casino, and WOW Vegas are available for play if you're 18 or older and offer games like slots and table games. Just remember that if you do decide to play, always exhibit responsible gambling habits.
