Ohio online casino discussions continue, but Gov. Mike DeWine is urging caution to the state’s public and lawmakers.
DeWine told a crowd in Cleveland last week that legalizing online casino in Ohio could increase gambling addiction. There are two proposals under consideration in the legislature, SB 197 and HB 298.
“Just so everybody understands, this would be 24-7,” DeWine said according to Cleveland.com. “Anybody who’s got an iPhone could basically have a casino there. And the potential for addiction is just massive.”
DeWine’s online casino concerns
DeWine did not say he would veto an online casino bill. He did say, however, “This is not just an incremental increase in gaming.”
“This literally puts it in anybody’s hands – a 19-year-old, an 18-year-old, a 16-year-old. It puts in their hands the ability to game constantly, all day, any day, 2 am in the morning. It’s right there,” DeWine said.
House Speaker Matt Huffman has echoed similar sentiments.
DeWine’s sports betting tax push
In 2023, DeWine doubled the sports betting tax to 20% from 10%.
He proposed a similar increase, to 40% from 20%, in his budget this year. Lawmakers stripped the tax increase during the budget process.
Last year, lawmakers submitted a study that included multiple favorable opinions on legalized online casinos. They also said the 2023 doubling of the sports betting tax rate was premature.
Online casino hearings
Legislators have held multiple hearings on the pair of bills. Separate hearings were held for proponents and opponents.
Both bills create 11 licenses for the state’s casinos and racinos, and each would create a $50 million license fee.
They do differ in tax rate, with the Senate bill taxing at 36% or 40% and the House bill taxing at 28%.
The House bill bans sweepstakes casinos, credit card funding and bonuses and promos. The Senate bill also legalizes pari-mutuel wagering and iLottery.
