Ohio Republicans Propose to Legalise Gambling in the State

Three members of the Ohio House of Representatives, Jay Edwards, Jeff Lare, and Cindy Abrams, came together to send a collective letter to the state government. They are suggesting that the legalisation of online casinos and lotteries in Ohio would be advantageous. It is worth mentioning that online sports betting has already been legalised and operational in Ohio since January 2023.

“The government should exercise caution and prudence in any expansion of the industry. But with the right legal framework and regulation, these types of games can thrive and generate revenue while having a nominal impact on our current system,” the representatives wrote.

The letter, included in a report published on Friday (July 12), addresses the future of gaming in Ohio. The study committee, as reported by PlayUSA, convened four times, with one session focusing on online casinos in February. The 354-page report is mainly comprised of written testimony from the hearings.

There is a possibility to legalise gambling as early as 2025. The Republican letter to the House is seen as a significant initial move towards regulating online casinos and lotteries in Ohio, showcasing its "tremendous potential."

“When we look at other states that have implemented either a lottery or both, we see significant increases in tax revenues driven by increased participation, but also that personal sales continue to grow,” the letter said.

While more than 25 U.S. states offer legal digital sports betting, lawmakers have found that regulating online gambling has proven much more difficult. Currently, online gambling is allowed only in 7 states.