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
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