Key Moments:
- Ohio’s legislative leaders have indicated limited interest in expanding the state’s gaming market
- Proposed online casino and iLottery measures did not advance in this year’s budget process
- The Ohio Casino Control Commission took enforcement action against Kalshi, Robinhood, and Crypto.com over unlicensed betting concerns
Political Resistance to iGaming Expansion
Ohio’s top officials have expressed reluctance to further broaden the state’s gambling offerings, casting doubt on the near-term prospects for legalizing online casinos or iLottery. Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman recently echoed Governor Mike DeWine’s ongoing hesitation about additional gambling initiatives, suggesting that further market growth may be approaching its natural limits after years of consistent expansion.
Huffman commented to reporters last week that Ohio has already experienced substantial growth in its gambling sector and warned against pushing boundaries too far. “At some point, there is a saturation point — there’s a group of people who don’t gamble, there’s a group of people who do, maybe some people participate in different ways,” Huffman said, as reported by the Statehouse News Bureau.
Legislators reviewed the possibility of including online gaming and iLottery provisions in the current year’s state budget but ultimately removed the measures. Governor DeWine opposed these proposals, citing the risk of increased social harm from continuous access to casino platforms. “To put a casino in everybody’s hands 24/7 is probably not a great idea,” DeWine said earlier this year. “I think it will cause more pain and suffering in regard to gaming addiction, so I’m just not for it.”
With DeWine’s term extending through January 2027 and his continued opposition, the likelihood of any online gambling expansion passing beforehand remains slim.
Gov. Mike DeWine reinforced that stance, calling 24/7 online gambling “a bad idea” that could worsen addiction issues. pic.twitter.com/Zv9FcauQGS
— Digital Addiction Awareness (@18Opium8407) October 21, 2025
Status of Legislative Proposals and Regional Context
While only seven U.S. states have legalized online casino gambling, Ohio is bordered by three that have – Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. These neighbors have used iGaming to boost state budgets; however, Ohio’s leaders remain skeptical about the proposed benefits compared to potential risks.
Earlier this year, two separate iGaming bills were introduced, which would have permitted up to 11 licenses tied to existing casinos and racinos. Both bills reached committee hearings but did not progress further.
A 2023 legislative study previously recommended exploring iGaming, but only under a robust regulatory system and warned against moving too quickly. Former state senator Niraj Antani introduced similar legislation late last year, linking online gaming access to Ohio’s four casinos and proposing a 15% tax rate. Antani characterized his proposal as an effort to “start the conversation” rather than immediate enactment. He is no longer a member of the legislature.
Sports Betting Developments and Regulatory Actions
Ohio legalized sports betting in 2021 and launched operations in January 2023. Governor DeWine signed off on a 10% tax, later persuading lawmakers to increase it to 20%. Attempts to elevate the rate further to 40% were unsuccessful.
Regulatory scrutiny has increased, with the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) issuing cease-and-desist letters to Kalshi, Robinhood, and Crypto.com this year. The OCCC claimed their event-based trading activities qualified as unlicensed sports betting. Kalshi responded by filing a lawsuit against both the OCCC and the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, arguing over whether such prediction markets fall under gambling regulations or should be considered federal commodities products.
Current Outlook for Gaming Expansion
At present, Ohio’s approach to gambling is one of measured regulation rather than expansion. State leaders have united around a cautious stance, maintaining current limits as the debate over iGaming continues. For investors and market watchers, this signals a long-term timeline for any meaningful change in online gambling policy.
| Recent Ohio Gaming Legislative Events | Status |
|---|---|
| iGaming and iLottery budget provisions | Removed from final budget |
| Proposed bills for up to 11 iGaming licenses | No advancement beyond committee hearings |
| Sports betting tax increase to 20% | Enacted |
| Sports betting tax increase to 40% | Not enacted |
| Cease-and-desist letters to Kalshi, Robinhood, Crypto.com | Issued by OCCC |
| Kalshi lawsuit against OCCC and Ohio Attorney General | Filed |
- Author
Daniel Williams
