Three Ohio House Republicans are advocating for the legalization of online casinos and lotteries in the state. Cindy Abrams, Jay Edwards, and Jeff LaRe have signed a letter as part of a bipartisan Ohio Study Commission on the future of iGaming in Ohio.
The letter emphasizes the potential for online casinos and lotteries to thrive with the right regulatory framework in place. It states that these types of gaming can have a nominal impact on the current gaming system in Ohio. The representatives cite examples from other states where the implementation of online gaming has led to significant increases in tax revenues and market participation.
The 354-page report includes testimony from various stakeholders in the gambling industry, such as charities, operators, and customers. While online sports betting has been legal in Ohio since 2023, the report does not provide a clear recommendation for further liberalization of state gaming laws.
One concern raised in the report is the potential impact on the revenue of physical gambling operations. However, the representatives argue that these concerns may be unfounded based on the success of online gaming in other states. They point to examples like Connecticut and Michigan, where online gaming has led to significant market growth.
Despite the support from some lawmakers, not all are in favor of the proposed expansion. Sen. Al Landis and Democrat Sen. William DeMora oppose any further expansion of online gaming in Ohio. However, alternative options are being considered, such as a lottery-only bill or legalizing online poker as a first step towards full expansion.
With the November election approaching and other lawmakers yet to weigh in on the issue, the future of iGaming expansion in Ohio remains uncertain. It is likely that there will be further discussions and debates before any concrete steps are taken towards legalizing online casinos and lotteries in the state.