Lawmakers in Ohio are proposing a ban on online sports betting, including wagering on esports events. If the legislation passes, it would make the state the first to criminalize sports betting after a wave of legalization. 

Reps. Johnathan Newman and Beth Lear introduced the Save Ohio Sports Act, HB 971, which will prohibit online sports wagering. Residents would still be able to place bets at physical sportsbooks in casinos, but would be limited to $100 stakes. 

The Republican lawmakers announced plans for the proposal in April, but did not officially introduce the legislation until June 29. It has a total of ten co-sponsors, all Republicans. 

Ohio Regrets Legalizing Sports Betting

Ohio approved online sports betting in 2021 before the market launched in 2023, but the state’s Governor Mike DeWine has been open about his regret in legalizing gambling. He describes signing the legislation to allow sports betting as his biggest regret in office. 

DeWine has been particularly critical of gambling companies’ marketing practices, targeting vulnerable residents with aggressive promotions. 

Lear was similarly critical of the industry’s attempts to maximize profits at the expense of users. 

“Gambling is the number one addiction that leads to suicide – online gambling companies are in an aggressive pay-to-play game with the Ohio Legislature, hoping to expand their profits on the backs of Ohioans with the ‘carrot’ of providing extra tax money for the government,” Lear stated. “This legislation makes it clear: our kids, their physical and mental well-being, are not for sale.”

Bill Proposes Series Of Restrictions

In addition to banning all online sports betting, and limiting stakes to $100 at land-based casinos, the bill would also do the following:

• Ban all prop bets
• Ban in-play bets
• Eliminate parlays
• Ban bets on college sports
• Only allow customers to place eight bets within a 24-hour period
• Eliminate the use of credit cards to place bets
• Ban companies from offering free bets or risk-free bets
• Ban all sports-betting advertisements during live broadcasts of professional sports and in professional sports venues

Gambling Scandals Ramp Up Opposition

The arrest of two Cleveland Guardians baseball players in a gambling scandal last year has led to further calls to restrict gambling in Ohio. 

The players allegedly manipulated their pitches for betting purposes. Esports players have also been implicated in similar scandals, particularly in low-tier events. 

DeWine has since moved to restrict prop betting. Wagers on microbets are now limited to $200. The latest proposal would go much further in restricting the gambling market. 

Gambling Should Not Fund Education

“Monetizing addiction to fund public education is the wrong direction for Ohio,” said Newman. “Who wins when predatory gambling preys on the vulnerable? It’s not our schools; that’s for sure! It’s the trillion-dollar big gambling companies who win. How is this good for Ohio?”

Neighboring Pennsylvania, which also has a thriving gambling industry, has moved to tackle gambling in schools. Lawmakers introduced a bill last month to restrict access to gambling platforms on school campuses. 

It comes amid growing concern that minors are gambling. Rather than ban betting, in Massachusetts, an education program has been introduced in schools to warn students about the risks of gambling.