Save Ohio Sports Act introduced in bid to ban online betting
Three Ohio House Republicans have introduced sweeping legislation that would effectively dismantle the state’s online sports betting market and impose some of the toughest restrictions in the United States.
State Representatives Gary Click, Riordan McClain and Johnathan Newman unveiled the Save Ohio Sports Act on Tuesday, proposing to ban all online wagering and require bets to be placed in person at the state’s four licensed casinos.
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The bill would also outlaw prop bets, parlays, in-game wagering and all betting on college sports, while capping wagers at $100 and limiting bettors to eight bets per day. Credit card deposits and promotional offers, including free bets, would be prohibited, alongside a ban on betting advertisements during live broadcasts.
The Center For Christian Virtue was quick to back the proposed reforms and pointed to the abuse sports stars are receiving from fans if their play impacts bets.
“This predatory business model is designed to weaponize data and create lifelong addiction,” the statement read.
“While Americans are on track to lose $1 trillion in wealth to gambling interests by 2030—a staggering $300,000 every minute—the human cost of this shakedown is priceless.
“We cannot sit by while gambling interests win at the expense of our athletes’ safety and Ohio families’ futures.”
Supporters argue the measures target addictive betting formats, but the proposal would significantly impact state revenue. Ohio generated $69.8 million in sportsbook revenue in February, with retail accounting for just $372,550.
Industry stakeholders are expected to strongly oppose the reforms, warning they could drive bettors to unregulated offshore markets.
The NCAA has recently relayed their own concerns around integrity and sports gambling, with the levels of abuse reaching unprecedented levels, with this coinciding with the majority of US states legalising the industry
Major gambling operators like FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars and Fanatics Sportsbook operate in Ohio.
