Ohio Gov signs sports betting bill into law

Governor Signs Bill Legalizing Sports Betting in Ohio

Gov. Mike DeWine has signed a bill legalizing sports wagering in Ohio. This means residents in the Buckeye State can place wagers in person at sportsbooks, bars, restaurants, and mobile devices. Though sports betting is now technically legal following the governor’s signature on House Bill 29, nobody can place any bets until the Ohio Casino Control Commission decides the final rules and regulations for the industry. No date has been given for that process to be completed.

The new law states that sports betting will begin in Ohio no later than January 1, 2023; however, Senate Majority Leader Kirk Schuring, R-Canton, said it could start sooner, once gaming regulators determine the rules for the industry.

Legislators Overwhelmingly Behind the Bill

After several attempts to approve sports betting legislation failed in recent years, the state House of Representatives and Senate voted overwhelmingly to approve a heavily amended HB29, which was initially a bill regarding veterans IDs.

The bill allows wagering to occur at brick-and-mortar sportsbooks and on mobile devices like laptops and smartphones. Betting will also be permitted with the use of kiosks inside grocery stores with specific liquor permits, restaurants, and bars.

Senator Schuring said that it will allow Ohio’s racinos, casinos, and ten ports franchises to “contract with an online mobile app provider,” such as DraftKings and FanDuel. The senator also confirmed that the bill will allow for retail sportsbooks “that can contract with an online mobile app provider” to provide sports gambling within their facility.

No Operator can gain an advantage

Schuring said that no operator can begin to accept wagers before any other sports gaming company under the new law. He confirmed that “the kiosks won’t start before the online mobile apps,” adding that the retail sportsbooks won’t begin before the kiosks.

With Ohio’s sports betting law signed into law by the governor’s signature, it joins Nebraska and Florida as states where sports betting is legal but not operational.

Sports betting is active in 30 states and Washington, D.C. People can place bets in Ohio’s neighboring states, including Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

Sports betting is likely to be popular in Ohio. It is the country’s seventh most populous state, with approximately 12 million residents. The Buckeye State is home to significant college teams and to professional sports in every league.

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