Ohio Republicans Propose Bill to Ban Online Sports Betting Statewide

Republican lawmakers in Ohio on Wednesday introduced two bills that, if passed, would shut down all online and mobile wagering in the state. The proposals would force bettors to return to physical locations like casinos and racetracks. 

The bills also target specific types of bets and advertising practices that have become standard since Ohio launched its legal sports betting market in January 2023. 

Shift Towards In-Person Betting Only

Online and mobile betting, which represents more than 95 percent of total legal betting handle in Ohio, would be completely banned if the bills become law. In November 2025, online sportsbooks in Ohio generated $131.2 million in revenue compared to only $1.8 million for retail locations. 

The bills go beyond just banning mobile apps. They would also restrict several popular bet types that recreational bettors use regularly. These include player props and in-game betting. The legislation would also crack down on advertising, limiting how operators can promote their services to Ohio residents.

Betting on college athletics would also be banned under the bills, continuing a trend in which some states have expressed concerns about betting integrity and athlete harassment. Kentucky and Minnesota recently introduced bills to ban college prop betting.

Concerns of Problem Gambling

Sponsors of the bill, including state Rep. Gary Click (R-Vickery), called it a response to growing concerns about problem gambling. They also point to recent sports integrity scandals involving athletes. Last November, Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were indicted on charges for taking bribes to influence games, notably purposefully throwing balls in certain counts.

The Ohio Republicans also believe the easy access provided by mobile apps has made gambling too convenient and contributed to addiction issues. In-person betting creates a natural barrier that could reduce problem gambling rates.

“When you combine the addiction of gambling with the addiction of one of these devices,” said Click, while holding up a mobile phone during the April 8 press conference. “It’s synergistic in a bad way.”

However, the proposal ignores how bettors actually use legal markets. With online sportsbooks, bettors can place wagers from home while watching games. Removing this option could backfire by pushing them toward illegal offshore sites that operate without consumer protections or regulatory oversight.

Industry and Market Impact in Ohio

The bills threaten to dismantle a market that has generated hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue for Ohio. Eliminating online wagering would slash the total handle dramatically, reducing tax collections.

Major operators like FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM would see their Ohio business essentially disappear. These companies invested heavily in marketing, technology, and partnerships when Ohio legalized sports betting. A ban would force them to either exit the market or pivot to a much smaller in-person operation.

Industry groups are expected to mount fierce opposition to the bills. Operators will argue that the legislation kills jobs, reduces tax revenue, and pushes bettors to unregulated black markets. They may also point to existing responsible gambling tools built into mobile apps, like deposit limits and self-exclusion options.

The bills need to advance through committee hearings before reaching a full vote. Those hearings will likely feature testimony from both sides. The debate will center on whether convenience or restriction better serves Ohio residents. However, even proponents of the bills contend they face an uphill battle to become law.