Ohio considers new legislation to legalize iGaming, but exclusively for existing casinos
Wednesday 21 de May 2025 / 12:00
⏱ 2 min read
(Columbus).- The Ohio House Finance Committee Chair Brian Stewart (R) announced House Bill 298 (HB 298) which would make gambling on slots and card games on your phone, legal in Ohio. This type of gambling from your phone is known as iGaming.
According to Stewart, this is the next logical step since the state and voters approved casinos and since has legalized sports gaming from phones and computers. The bill comes with a number of provisions to try and protect the state’s current brick-and-mortar casinos.
Licenses would only be allowed for the companies who currently operate physical casinos and racinos in Ohio. No companies from outside of the state would be allowed an iGaming license.
The licenses will be costly at $50 million for the initial license, and then $10 million for every year for renewal.
HB 298 will tax the gaming at 28% which matches what Michigan is currently charging for iGaming.
The estimate is this could generate $400-$800 million in new revenue for the state.
Bill co-sponsor Marilyn John (R) testified there is already $6 billion in iGaming being spent by Ohioans and 85% is done illegally.
Two Democratic Representatives asked if the money could be earmarked for education and childcare the way the current revenues from casinos is spent.
Stewart explained the bill will give 1% to problem gambling resources, but the other 99% would go to the state’s general fund.
Stewart said lawmakers could then make specific requests on how the money is spent, every two years when the state’s budget is debated.
In a move to help brick-and-motor casinos, promotional credits on iGaming can not be for free play but could be for meals, hotels, or free play at the actual casinos.
This is the House version of legalizing iGaming.
The Senate is also introducing a bill that is currently awaiting committee hearings.
Categoría:Legislation
Tags: Sin tags
País: United States
Región: North America
Event
SiGMA North America 2026
01 de September 2026
LatAm Regulators Discussed Illegal Gambling and Innovation at SiGMA North America
(Mexico City, SoloAzar Exclusive).- The panel "The Red Pen Forum: Regulators Respond to the Industry," held during SiGMA North America 2026, brought together representatives from Uruguay, Argentina, Puerto Rico, and Honduras to analyze regulatory challenges, digital transformation, illegal gambling, and the need to adapt lotteries for new generations. The conference was moderated by Rodrigo Cigliutti, Executive Director of CIBELAE (Ibero-American Corporation of State Lotteries and Betting), and featured the participation of Marcelo Visconti, National Director of Lotteries and Quinielas of Uruguay; Carlos Moyano, President of IAFAS Entre Ríos, Argentina; Heidi Hernández Olivo, Deputy Secretary of the Puerto Rico Lottery; and Lissa Mencía, General Director of Lottery Operations and Games at Loto Honduras.
Monday 28 Sep 2026 / 12:00
SiGMA North America Addressed Crisis Management in iGaming
(Mexico, SoloAzar Exclusive).- During SiGMA North America 2026, Rosa Ochoa, founder of the Blue Global Gaming platform and strategic advisor for gaming operators; Iliana María Pineda Echeverri, Chief Legal & Compliance Officer at Wplay.co; Iraid Rosales, Country Manager Mexico at Amusnet; and Elizabeth Maya Cano, Executive President of CORNAZAR, analyzed the key factors in managing crisis situations within the iGaming industry, with a special focus on transparency, communication, technology, and preparation.
Friday 25 Sep 2026 / 12:00
Affiliates and Acquisition: Keys to Regulated Markets in North America
(Mexico City, SoloAzar Exclusive).- During SiGMA North America 2026, Cristopher Guzmán Reyes, Head of Affiliates at Logrand Entertainment Group; Guga Júnior, influencer and slots expert at Scalar Partners; Andrés Gómez, Head of Latin America Go-to-Market Strategy at Admattic; Yambot Aguilera, Gaming and Finance Sales Director at Google; and Paula Gabriel Jiménez, Advertising Client Growth Director for Microsoft at Aleph, analyzed the state and provincial affiliate ecosystem in North America, as well as the acquisition challenges in regulated markets.
Thursday 24 Sep 2026 / 12:00
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