Ohio Lawmakers to Consider Major Crackdown on Sports Betting

It appears Ohio Governor Mike DeWine isn’t the only lawmaker who regrets supporting online sports betting.

A group of Republican House representatives has proposed a pair of bills to crack down on sports betting, known as the Save Ohio Sports Act. Both bills propose drastic changes to the market that would rapidly and significantly shrink it. 

The legislation aims to address problem gambling and protect the integrity of the sports that Ohio residents love.

"As a fan, I want to watch highly talented individuals and teams compete at the highest levels," co-sponsor Rep. Riordan McClain told WBNS. "I want to know that the outcome is determined on the field of play, not by the gambling markets."

The first bill would add major restrictions on which bets sportsbooks can offer. It proposes to ban prop bets, bets on college athletics, live betting, and even parlays. These bet types drive significant revenue for mobile sportsbooks, resulting in a large drop in tax revenue for Ohio.

The second bill goes even further, proposing an end to Ohio’s mobile sports betting market. That means all wagers would need to be placed at retail locations. The bill would also ban all free bets and the use of credit cards.

Act Will Face Long Odds, But Sends Clear Message

The proposals in the Save Ohio Sports Act are aggressive, but could also be the most effective in the fight against problem gambling. It would also eliminate the bets that are often used in betting schemes, which are eroding the integrity of pro and college sports.

Concern over problem gambling has been a bipartisan issue, but that doesn’t mean the bills proposed in the Act will pass. 

One reason the effort is likely to fail is the presence of sports prediction markets. This allows residents to wager on sports, but it isn’t considered to be a form of gambling. That means they provide the same risk for problem gambling, but without paying the high taxes.

Tax revenue from sports betting in 2026 has already funneled over $1.3 million to the state’s problem gambling programs.

While that means the state’s online betting industry is likely safe, the legislation’s introduction is a troubling sign. Kentucky recently considered similar proposals, as has Colorado. This shows that lawmakers across the US are beginning to question whether the critical tax revenue that sports betting brings is worth the growing risks.