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Two bills in the Ohio legislature would bring casino games to computers and phones across the state. House Bill 298 and Senate Bill 197 both want regulated internet gambling through the Ohio Casino Control Commission. Players must be 21 or older under both proposals.
Senator Nathan Manning from North Ridgeville wrote Senate Bill 197. His bill covers internet casinos, online lottery games, and horse race betting on websites. Companies would pay $50 million for licenses and $5 million to renew them. The state would tax winnings at 36% to 40%. Manning says Ohio could collect $500 million each year from these taxes.
House Bill 298 comes from Representatives Brian Stewart and Marilyn John. Their bill focuses just on casino games and poker online. It blocks internet lottery and horse betting but would work with sweepstakes casino sites that use different payment methods than regular online casinos. These sites let players use virtual coins and win prizes through games. The House bill copies Michigan’s 28% tax rate and gives licenses only to companies that already run physical casinos in Ohio.
The House version limits online licenses to eleven total. That matches the number of casinos and racinos already operating in the state. Supporters think Ohio could collect between $400 million and $800 million in taxes each year. The bill tries to help existing gambling businesses instead of hurting them.
Both bills put the Ohio Casino Control Commission in charge of watching over internet gambling. The commission would check companies before giving them licenses. Operators must prove they have enough money and the right technology to run safe gambling websites.
People who support the bills say Ohioans already gamble online with companies in other countries. Those websites don’t pay Ohio taxes or follow Ohio rules. Legal internet casinos would give players better protection and help solve problems when they happen.
The bills would send tax money to Ohio’s general budget. This could help pay for state programs without raising other taxes. Lawmakers point to other states that started internet gambling and made money from it.
Gaming companies have talked to legislators about how long it would take to start operations. The bills require ways to check where players are located and prove their age. Companies would also offer tools that let players manage their gaming experience effectively.
Both proposals include funding for responsible gaming programs. The bills recognize that expanded options require corresponding player education and support services. These programs would help promote safe gaming practices across all online platforms.
If lawmakers pass one of these bills before 2026, internet casinos could start operating in Ohio by late 2026. The timeline depends on how fast the state writes new rules and reviews company applications. Officials would need to decide exactly how these websites must operate and stay secure.
Committee members continue reviewing both bills. They listen to different groups that have opinions about internet gambling. Some want stricter rules while others prefer fewer restrictions.
The final law might combine parts of both bills. Lawmakers need to agree on tax rates, how many licenses to give out, and what rules companies must follow. This compromise approach could create a framework that satisfies different stakeholder groups.
Ohio already allows sports betting online. Adding casino games would put the state alongside others that offer many types of internet gambling. The state learned from starting sports betting and could use that experience for casino games.
Other nearby states watch what Ohio decides. The choice could affect what happens with similar bills in neighboring areas. Ohio’s rules for internet gambling might become a model for other places thinking about these laws.