Three Ohio lawmakers are recommending that their state expand its regulated gaming options to include online casino games and an ilottery option. It’s a move that’s aimed at stimulating tax revenues that would likely also inflame anti-gambling advocates who oppose gaming expansions of any kind.
Republican Representatives Jay Edwards, Jeff LaRe and Cindy Abrams introduced their idea in a joint letter to their peers that was sent out last week. Their letter is just one part of an expansion plan that also includes a report from a commission that was tasked with studying the potential impact of an igaming expansion (online sports betting has been legal in Ohio since 2023). The commission met four times and produced a 354-page report on the subject that included recommendations and testimony from key stakeholders.
The greatest appeal of an internet gambling expansion, the committee found, is increased tax revenue for the state and increased traffic at land-based casinos. “Looking at other states who have implemented either or both ilottery and igaming, we see significant increases to tax revenues generated with greater participation but also that in-person sales continued to increase,” the commissioners stated.
“That can largely be contributed to more people participating in the market on their phones and becoming more comfortable/knowledgeable about doing it at a physical location,” they continued.
The next step for the Ohio lawmakers is to present their idea in the form of a legislative bill, that would likely be introduced at the state’s next legislative session in 2025. If their ideas are passed into law, Ohio would become the eighth US state to offer regulated online casino play.