Ohio Lawmakers Reach “Conceptual Agreement” for 2023 Sports Betting Launch

• Ohio Rep. Announced Proposal that Could Bring a Legal Sports Betting Launch by 2023
• Delays Stem from Having to Create “Peace and Harmony” Between Special Interests
• Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley Wants to Allow Retail Sports Wagering in Ohio

Ohio Rep. Announced Proposal that Could Bring a Legal Sports Betting Launch by 2023

Whether to legalize sports betting in Ohio has been an issue that’s received several years’ worth of debate, but now that argument might be ending as some state lawmakers announced that they have compromised on a plan for launching sports gambling in the state by 2023.

Last week, Andy Chow, a Statehouse News Bureau correspondent, posted a Tweet that said Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati) and other Ohio lawmakers have reached a “conceptual agreement” on legalized sports betting in the state.

Ohio legislative leaders have reached a “conceptual agreement” on legalizing sports betting. Rep. Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati) says they’re taking their draft plan to the House Speaker and Senate President for their go-ahead on the idea

— Andy Chow (@andy_chow) December 1, 2021

As the next step to this process, these congressmen and congresswomen will present their plan to the House Speaker and Senate President for their “go-ahead,” which, if given, could move the proposal to a conference committee vote as soon as next week, according to Seitz.

This is great news for Buckeye State gamblers who have been suffering constant delays to the process of legalizing sports betting in their state, though these setbacks aren’t necessarily the fault of the Ohio congress.

Delays Stem from Having to Create “Peace and Harmony” Between Special Interests

Once PASPA was overturned by the Supreme Court in 2018, Ohio was allowed to bring legal sports betting to its residents, but it has yet to happen and It’s easiest to blame the lawmakers for this long delay.

But last week, Ohio State Senator Kirk Schuring told News-Talk 1480 WHBC that members of the Senate and House were not responsible for delaying the bill’s progress, but instead, it was “the special interests who want to make sure their competitors don’t get an unfair, competitive edge” who are holding up the process.

Canton’s Morning News with Pam Cook: State Senator Kirk Schuring https://t.co/hpwGnmKlV4

— News-Talk 1480 WHBC (@1480whbc) November 29, 2021

In fact, Sen. Schuring claims that he and fellow lawmakers are attempting to speed things up by “trying to make peace and harmony among the competitors,” but apparently that could still take some time.

Rep. Seitz agrees, sharing his promise to make the entire process the same for all parties:

We want to make sure also that everyone starts at the same starting point. We’re not going to have some people get to market quicker than other people, that’s not fair.

Others are joining the push.

Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley Wants to Allow Retail Sports Wagering in Ohio

It’s important that state leaders are behind this push for legal sports betting in Ohio, and Governor Mike DeWine (R) has been a longtime fan of sports betting and would likely sign a sports betting bill into law.

Joining DeWine is Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley who has expressed interest in allowing his city’s “bars, restaurants, and even convenience stores” to offer sports wagering to their customers.

Cranley told the Cincinnati Enquirer that he is calling on the Ohio Lottery Commission to authorize the sports betting market throughout the state and made it clear that the tax money it generated would go towards benefitting schools.

Keep checking back for the latest news and updates on this ongoing story.