Ohio senator introduces iGaming bill

This proposal would welcome legal internet gaming and levy a tax on businesses.

A recent bill that could bring legal online gaming to the state of Ohio is now before the Select Committee on Gaming.

Sen. Nathan Manning recently introduced Senate Bill 197, a measure to expand gambling in the Buckeye State.

Under SB 197, online bets would be permitted for horseracing, and the state would have access to an online lottery, as well as to other internet gambling.

Businesses offering iGaming would also be subject to a tax levy under this proposed legislation.

Licensed operators using their own iGaming platforms would pay a 36% tax on revenue under SB 197. Licensees that partner with an outside operator, however, would have a higher tax rate under this bill.

Those businesses partnering with other operators would pay 40% in taxes if SB 197 passes.

This is the second iGaming bill put before Ohio legislators.

House Bill 96, a bill drafted to expand gambling to include iGaming recently passed in the House and was introduced in the Senate.

Rep. Brian Stewart brought the bill before lawmakers in an effort to expand gambling in the Buckeye State beyond sports betting and as a way to increase Ohio revenue.

The current version of the bill has already passed in the House and is in the early stages of moving through the Senate.

Online gaming has not gained the traction internet sports wagering has through the years. When the US Supreme Court overturned the federal ban on sports betting seven years ago, the sports wagering market grew exponentially as states moved to usher in legal markets.

Good to know: However, seven US states currently have online gaming available

Ohio is not alone in its attempts to expand gambling to include online action. Legislation to welcome legal iGaming and an online lottery was brought to lawmakers in Indiana as well through House Bill 1432.

However, the bill failed to advance past the House Public Policy Committee in mid-February.

Connecticut lawmakers continue to consider Senate Bill 1235, a measure designed to address several areas of the state’s gaming market. The bill has been tabled for the calendar, according to a LegiScan report.

If passed, SB 1235 would establish definitions and redefinitions for “certain terms concerning gaming.” This bill would prohibit the resale of lottery tickets, as well as ticket courier services.

State gambling is regulated by the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP. Under SB 1235, the Commissioner of Consumer Protection’s disciplinary authority would be modified regarding “certain gaming licenses.”

Laura Mack

Visit Profile

Players trust our reporting due to our commitment to unbiased and professional evaluations of the iGaming sector. We track hundreds of platforms and industry updates daily to ensure our news feed and leaderboards reflect the most recent market shifts. With nearly two decades of experience within iGaming, our team provides a wealth of expert knowledge. This long-standing expertise enables us to deliver thorough, reliable news and guidance to our readers.