Ohio Considers Legalizing Online Poker and Casino Gaming

A prominent Republican legislator in Ohio is preparing a bill that would expand legal gambling in the state to include online poker and other virtual casino games, signaling a potential major development in Ohio’s gaming landscape.

Representative Brian Stewart (R-Ashville), who chairs the House Finance Committee, has confirmed he is drafting legislation to authorize iGaming—allowing Ohio residents to access online casino-style games from their mobile devices and computers. Stewart is also the sponsor of House Bill 96, the House’s version of the state’s two-year budget.

The legislation is intended to provide a new source of revenue for the state, especially after lawmakers stripped several proposed tax hikes from Governor Mike DeWine’s budget. Among the measures removed was a plan to double the tax rate on sports betting operators to help create a fund dedicated to sports facilities.

Previous Study Backed Online Gambling Expansion

This effort to expand gambling beyond sports betting builds on earlier work by a commission established under the current state budget ed two years ago. That group, known as the Study Commission on the Future of Gaming in Ohio, presented its findings in a report last July.

In the report, three Republican —Reps. Jeff LaRe (R-Violet Twp.), Cindy Abrams (R-Harrison), and former Rep. Jay Edwards (R-Nelsonville)—endorsed the idea, highlighting how other states that implemented online gambling or digital lottery systems saw “significant increases to tax revenues generated with greater participation.” The lawmakers added, “These tax revenue benefits to the state and funding that could be provided to our K-12 education system cannot be overlooked.”

They also pointed out that the introduction of digital lottery and gambling platforms had not cannibalized in-person sales. In fact, traditional lottery ticket sales had reportedly increased in those states.

However, they cautioned that Ohio should move forward carefully, ensuring that online gaming does not damage the business of existing casinos and racinos. The state currently has four casinos and seven racinos, and the industry has expressed concerns that digital alternatives could draw customers away from physical venues.

Lawmakers Weigh Revenue Needs Against Risks

ers of iGaming believe the move could be financially beneficial, especially in light of the legislature’s rejection of multiple proposed tax increases. Governor DeWine had suggested raising the sports betting tax to 40%, a proposal that followed a previous increase from 10% to 20% in 2023. But those efforts were removed from the final budget under consideration by the House.

The push for legalizing online casinos is not new. Last fall, former State Senator Niraj Antani introduced a bill aimed at laying the groundwork for online casino legalization. Although that legislation was never expected to advance, Antani said his goal was to initiate dialogue among lawmakers and start building familiarity with the issue. His bill proposed tethering online gaming licenses to Ohio’s 11 physical casinos, a framework also recommended in the commission’s report.

A Democratic member of the commission noted that online gaming legalization was likely inevitable and urged the creation of a comprehensive regulatory structure to ensure a smooth rollout.

Still, not all lawmakers are convinced. Several expressed skepticism about broadening the gambling industry further, particularly due to concerns about how such expansion could disrupt the state’s existing lottery and gaming systems.

Next Steps for iGaming in Ohio

With the Ohio Senate now reviewing the budget proposal, the timing of the iGaming bill aligns with ongoing fiscal debates. Although the House removed proposed tax hikes, it also did not include an income tax reduction—a change that had been part of the last seven state budgets. As a result, lawmakers may be more open to considering alternative revenue sources like online gambling.

Source:

Bill allowing Ohioans to play virtual poker and casino games online could be coming soon, wosu.org, May 6, 2025.