Legislative Session Concludes Without Online Casino Passage
Two pieces of online casino legislation in Ohio will not advance before the 136th General Assembly finishes its session next month. As the current legislative term wraps up, neither bill will progress to a vote, leaving the state’s online casino expansion on hold.
The two bills represent the primary legislative efforts to introduce regulated online casino gaming in the state. Their failure to move forward marks the end of the 136th session without any new iGaming regulations being enacted. Ohio’s gaming landscape currently includes land-based casinos and racinos, but the state does not have a framework for online casino gaming.
House Bill 298 Proposed 28% Tax and Partnerships
Among the stalled legislation is House Bill 298, which outlined a framework for online casino operations in Ohio. The bill proposed a 28% tax on online casino revenue. It also suggested that online operators form partnerships with existing physical casinos and racinos to obtain licensing and operational structure.
The 28% tax rate was a central component of the fiscal proposal in House Bill 298. By linking online operations to established land-based facilities, the bill aimed to integrate the new digital product into the existing state gaming infrastructure. However, the bill did not secure sufficient support to move forward as the session ended.
The introduction of online casino products was intended to expand this market, but legislative hurdles have prevented the passage of the necessary statutes. The stall ensures that the status quo will continue at least until the next General Assembly convenes.
Governor-Elect Acton Expresses Conditional Support
Governor-elect Amy Acton has weighed in on the stalled legislation, expressing a willingness to consider iGaming. According to reports, Acton stated she is open to the concept if state leaders institute proper regulatory and public health safeguards.
This statement indicates that while the executive branch is not opposed to the concept, any future legislation will require a strong emphasis on consumer protection and regulatory oversight. The emphasis on public health safeguards suggests that any future bills may include stricter requirements regarding responsible gambling, age verification, and addiction resources.
This approach aligns with the broader trend in other states where iGaming legislation is paired with robust regulatory frameworks to mitigate potential harms. For operators and industry advocates, the conditional support from Acton provides a potential pathway for future bills, provided they meet the specified criteria.
Next Steps for Ohio iGaming
With the 136th General Assembly session ending, the two online casino bills are effectively dead for this legislative term. Any new attempts to pass online casino legislation will have to wait until the next session of the Ohio General Assembly.
Operators and industry advocates in Ohio will now look to the new legislative session for opportunities to reintroduce similar proposals. For now, Ohio players and operators remain in a state of regulatory limbo. The recent legislative failure ensures that the state will not have an online casino framework in the near term.
Why It Matters
The stall of House Bill 298 and the second online casino bill means Ohio will not have a legal framework for online casino gaming in the near term. Operators seeking to enter the Ohio market must wait for the next legislative session to propose new bills. Governor-elect Amy Acton's conditional support signals that any future legislation will likely prioritize strict regulatory and public health safeguards, influencing the structure of future iGaming products in the state.
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