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The future of sports betting in Ohio remains uncertain as a state senator cites “moral opposition” to a pair of bills that could radically transform the state’s gambling landscape.
State Sen. Bill DeMora, D-Columbus, is vocally opposing both the Save Ohio Sports Act and Senate Bill 199. Both pieces of legislation seek to drastically limit sports gambling just three years after its initial launch in the state.
Restrictions proposed in Save Ohio Sports Act
The Save Ohio Sports Act, which originated in the Ohio House, would sharply roll back wagering in the Buckeye State if passed and signed by Gov. Mike DeWine. Introduced by three Republican lawmakers, the bill aims to eliminate mobile sports betting.
Key provisions of the act include:
- Banning prop bets and in-game wagering.
- Capping wagers at $100 at brick-and-mortar casinos.
- Eliminating mobile betting apps, returning the state to a strictly in-person model.
According to Legal Sports Report news, DeMora stated he is morally opposed to these changes and accused the bill’s sponsors of being uninformed.
“I’m morally opposed to what the bill introduced to the House is because that’s ludicrous,” DeMora said. “No one’s going to bet if you don’t have prop bets and parlay betting. I’m not sure those two sponsors actually know what those things are—I know our governor doesn’t.”
SB 199 and the betting ‘handle tax’
While Ohio currently levies a 20% tax on sports betting revenue, Ohio’s SB 199 proposes an additional 2% tax on the handle—the total amount of money wagered by bettors.
The state collected more than $209 million in taxes last year. Proponents estimate that a 2% tax on the handle could generate an additional $204 million, effectively doubling the state’s total gambling tax revenue.
Sen. Louis Blessing, R-Colerain Township, testified in support of the tax before the Select Committee on Gaming, describing it as a “Pigouvian tax” designed to discourage “bad behavior.
“This is a good tax,” Blessing said. “It not only raises revenue but discourages bad behavior at the same time.Ask yourself: Why should Ohio have a low sports betting tax rate? Do we want to become the sports betting capital of America?”
The Ohio General Assembly’s current session is scheduled to end Dec. 31, 2026.
