A group of Republican lawmakers have introduced bills that could transform the sports betting market in Ohio, in the United States. The initiative comes after Governor Mike DeWine publicly regretted his role in legalizing the sector in the state.
The proposals include broad changes and directly impact the operation of the platforms. Among the planned points are the total ban on online sports betting and the restriction of betting on university sports.
What the new betting legislation in Ohio predicts
The bills also eliminate live, special and parlay bets, while setting a maximum limit of $100 per bet. Furthermore, the texts prevent the use of credit cards for deposits and prohibit betting advertisements during sports broadcasts.
The group responsible for the proposals is made up of representatives Gary Click, Johnathan Newman, Riordan McClain and Kevin Ritter. In this sense, legislators state that the measure seeks to preserve sporting integrity in the state.
The debate gained momentum following a match-fixing scandal involving Cleveland athletes, including Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz. During a press conference, Johnathan Newman said, “Can you imagine the pitcher on the mound controlling the game to win bets?”
Financial impacts and growth in betting addiction
The most relevant proposal deals with the ban on online sports betting, which accounts for most of the sector’s revenue. In 2025, this modality generated US$584,887,009, while in-person betting registered only US$7,109,349 in the state.
On the other hand, lawmakers also highlighted concerns related to the increase in cases of gambling addiction. A state report identified growth in registrations following the legalization of online sports betting in 2023.
Gary Click stated, “We were going to implement some common sense consumer protection measures to protect the citizens of Ohio.” Furthermore, health experts reinforce the concern about the social effects of this expansion.
Projects face resistance in the political scenario
The authors themselves recognized difficulties in approving the proposals, mainly due to the popularity of online sports betting among users. Still, the topic remains under discussion within the state legislature.
Riordan McClain stated, “mixed results from his Republican colleagues, and even the staunch anti-gambling (DeWine) disagrees with some parts.”
In 2024, Ohio had already removed betting on college sports from digital platforms, indicating a gradual movement towards restriction. At the same time, Mike DeWine also pressured MLB and operators to limit microbetting in the state.
However, only part of the current measures are viable for approval in the short term, especially those related to advertising and payment methods. Finally, a total ban on online sports betting still faces strong resistance within the local political environment.