Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has worked to squeeze money out of gambling, but he appears to believe the time is not right for online casinos.
DeWine told reporters this week at the Ohio State Fair that he is “not for it” when it comes to online casino expansion. In June, DeWine noted potential addiction issues with online gambling.
“Basically, to put a casino in everybody’s hands, 24/7, I think is probably not a great idea,” DeWine said, per Cleveland.com. “And I think it will cause more pain and suffering …as far as gaming addiction.”
Big V word in Ohio
DeWine said he does not usually use the word veto. But when asked if he would veto an online casino bill, he hinted that option might be used, saying, “I’m very much against this.”
However, he did leave an avenue open for video lottery terminals and e-bingo machines at bars, restaurants and bowling alleys.
“I will look at everything individually. I don’t know all the details about that,” DeWine said. “But I think we probably have enough gambling in the state already.”
Ohio online casino efforts
This year, members of the Ohio Senate and House introduced online casino bills. The bills would have allowed the state’s four casinos and seven racinos to offer online options.
If passed, the bills could have generated up to $1.1 billion in estimated tax revenue. Lawmakers, however, did not have the appetite to expand the gambling market this year.
Lawmakers did note positives to the online casino expansion in a 2024 report.
DeWine gambling tax increases
DeWine signed online sports betting into law in 2023 with a 10% tax.
Less than a year after the market launched, DeWine doubled the tax rate to 20% in his annual budget.
DeWine again proposed doubling the rate in this year’s proposed budget, from 20% to 40%. However, lawmakers denied the governor’s wishes.
