Gamblers in the Buckeye state are one step closer to legal gambling as the Ohio House Bill (HB 194) passes along to the senate. Just two years after PASPA was overturned, Ohio joins over a dozen other states in allowing sports betting. However, it has one more hurdle to get over, even after passing through the House in just 13 minutes.
Two other lawmakers have proposed a second gambling bill (SB 111) that would grant oversight to the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC). Meanwhile, the House bill aims to give the Ohio Lottery Commission these powers, and the OCCC the authority to enforce regulations.
Some regulations of note for the Ohio House Bill include:
- Monitoring bets made for “suspicious” activity.
- Sharing stats in statewide data.
- High taxes on wagers taken.
- Gambling revenues will primarily go to education funds.
Ohio House Bill Could be Amended
With the Ohio House Bill now in the senate’s hands, it could be amended to include the Senate bill’s stipulations. Some of the differences from HB 194 include:
- Revenues will go to the general state fund.
- But, both bills call for some revenues to fund problem gambling treatments.
- Lower tax rates from 10% in HB 194 to 6.75%.
And, of course, giving oversight to the OCCC instead of the state lottery. However, it will be debated, and consultations will be held. HB 194 was proposed by State Rep. Brigid Kelly (D-Cincinnati) and Rep. Dave Greenspan (R-Westlake). And SB 111 was introduced by Senators Sean O’Brien (D-Bazetta ) and John Eklund (R-Munson Township.) Only Eklund and O’Brien seem to be on the consultations list.
Timing is Key
Since it’s an election year, timing is critical for any sports betting bill in the state. Whether or not the Ohio House Bill makes it intact to a later session, editing will take time. The state Senate will operate until December, with breaks. That means that the election could influence the bills’ future.
So, maybe the Ohio House Bill will pass, or it’ll be unrecognizable by December.
Either way, keep visiting our site for the latest updates on this story and other news.
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Paige is an avid Poker and Roulette fan who loves to hedge her bets. As a younger team member, she’s more likely to try new games and try to find the best way to win. Part of what drives Paige is the need to understand casino games and how they work. Then, she likes to break things down and ensure that anyone can understand them. She considers herself an intermediate player, and hopes to play like a pro soon.
