Two Ohio gubernatorial candidates are in favor of legalizing online casinos, but another has been fairly quiet on the issue.
Democrat Amy Acton and Libertarian Don Kissick have each indicated they favor new forms of expanded online gambling, according to Cleveland.com. Meanwhile, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy has not indicated where he stands on the issue ahead of the November election.
The incoming governor will replace Gov. Mike DeWine, who has expressed regrets about legalizing sports betting and has opposed online casinos despite multiple legislative efforts.
The election will likely be a toss up, as the most recent New York Times/Siena University poll has Ramaswamy and Acton tied at 47%.
Extra tax revenue for Ohio
Acton would spend additional gambling tax revenue on public schools, childcare and property tax relief, per Cleveland.com. Acton also supports a ban on micro bets, or live bets on individual plays, but not a full prohibition on prop bets. She also does not want to increase the 20% tax on sports betting.
Kissick believes prohibition does not work and that a legalized and regulated industry is best for consumers. Kissick does not support any changes to the current sports betting laws.
Previously, lawmakers have worked to expand online gambling to help offset income tax reductions.
Ohio gambling history
Ohio has four casinos and seven racinos, as well as online sports betting. The state generated $3.5 billion in gambling revenue last year.
Since legalization of sports betting in 2023, however, lawmakers have been fairly split on how to handle the gambling industry. DeWine raised the initial tax rate from 10% to 20%, and later attempted to double it to 40%. The state also added a prohibition on collegiate prop bets. And there have been efforts to end online sports betting.
On the other side, however, some legislators have introduced bills to legalize online casino.
The state is also battling the prediction markets industry. The Ohio Casino Control Commission sent Kalshi a cease-and-desist order last year, and Kalshi in turn sued the OCCC and Atty. Gen. Dave Yost. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission later filed an amicus brief in support of Kalshi to reaffirm its federal jurisdiction of the industry.
