Ohio Wants In On Sports Betting Race

• Ohio legislators have filed two sports betting bills for the 2019 legislative session.
• A 10% tax dedicated to an education fund is the main beneficiary of HB 194.
• Ohio’s legislative session meets throughout the year, giving the lawmakers plenty of time for sports betting discussions.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A week has passed since the filing of Ohio HB 194 and its assignment to the House’s Finance Committee.

Under this bipartisan measure, sports betting would be authorized under the regulation of the Ohio Lottery. The Lottery already oversees the slot machine industry at the state’s seven horse racing tracks.

Wagering on professional and collegiate teams would be permitted and there appears to be no restrictions on prop bet wagering.

HB 194 is sponsored by Representatives Dave Greenspan (R- Westlake) and Brigid Kelly (D- Cincinnati), who call for a 10% tax on the monthly sports gaming receipts, or the remaining money after paying out winning bettors.

The tax contributions would be used in a variety of measures but the main focus is for the purpose of funding the educational needs of the state.

Also, money will be allocated to fund efforts to alleviate problem gambling and addiction as well as supporting the costs of the sports betting industry.

Greenspan and Kelly are both ready for this measure to make its way through the legislature, especially in the Finance Committee, where they are both members.

Their hope is that they can convince enough members of the 33-person committee to view a favorable opinion of the bill and recommend it for passage.

The last committee meeting was on March 20 but we are unsure if and when the committee will meet again, as the schedule has yet to be updated on the Ohio legislative website.

However, Ohio legislature meets throughout the entire year so there is plenty of time to discuss the beginning of legal sports betting in Ohio.

The state is unfortunately surrounded by states who have already approved and regulated sports betting efforts. Bordering both Pennsylvania and West Virginia, Ohio could fall behind in the gambling scene.

Kevin Braig, an Ohio attorney who focused on legal gaming issues, said, “If other states have it but Ohio doesn’t, the sports betting population will definitely drive across a state line and go to a casino that has a sports book.”

Ohio residents may also be able to make the trip, in the future, into Indiana for sports betting. The Hoosier State, whose legislative session adjourns on April 29, has seen rapid advancement of SB 552 in the recent weeks.

A measure could find its way onto the governor’s desk for a signature of approval. If this were the case, sports betting in Indiana would be live by the start of 2021.

It is up to Ohio to determine its gambling fate, but one thing is for sure – their racinos will lose much power and revenue, should Ohio sports betting not find its way into law.

News tags: OH HB 194 | OH SB 552 | Ohio | Ohio sports betting