(source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/poker-chips-on-the-table-7594234/)
In September 2024, Senator Niraj Antani introduced his Senate Bill 312, aimed at bringing online casinos to Ohio. The new bill would award licenses to the state’s existing 11 casinos that would allow them to operate online.
However, as Senator Antani’s term ended on December 31st, 2024, the bill is highly unlikely to see any progress soon.
Ohio is one of the US states that doesn’t have legal online casinos. However, this doesn’t mean that its residents don’t participate in the activity.
Offshore casinos have emerged as a popular option for US players based in states that don’t have locally licensed online gambling platforms. Many turn to sites operating under international jurisdictions, including those catering to Australian gambling markets.
These platforms aren’t just a good alternative for players in states without locally licensed online casinos but are also known for offering better bonuses and faster transactions than many domestically regulated sites.
In states like Ohio, they’re the only way for residents to access real-money online casino games as state-regulated platforms still don’t exist.
While Senator Antani didn’t see the introduction of online casinos in the state as a critical issue, his stance was that there should be options for those looking to play online.
With Antani not seeking re-election, the bill doesn’t have a sponsor in 2025 and it remains to be seen whether or not another lawmaker will step in.
For now, the bill is considered dead, but the state may revisit the idea of allowing locally licensed online casinos to operate at some point in the future.
The topic of legalizing online casinos is a growing trend across the US, with several states having already done so in recent years. Michigan is often seen as the state that successfully legalized online gambling platforms, generating significant tax revenues since 2021 when the sector was first launched.
Other states are currently looking to do the same but they’re facing significant legislative hurdles.
In Virginia, Senator Mamie Locke’s bill was withdrawn at the start of the year with the focus now shifting to 2026. The idea is to give the senator more time to study the bill before the Senate reconsiders it next year.
The bill that would bring legal online casinos to New Hampshire has recently been tabled by Senator Tim Lang while Wyoming rejected the idea due to opposition from Tribal casinos and other concerns.
While online casinos remain unavailable in Ohio, residents can participate in online sports betting. The sector launched in 2023, allowing licensed websites and brick-and-mortar casinos to offer sports wagering.
Anyone betting on sports in Ohio must be at least 21 years old (just like the lottery) and physically present in the state to participate in the activity.
Although Ohio Governor Mike DeWine proposed increasing the taxes on online sportsbooks from 20% to 40%, it doesn’t look like the tax hike will be introduced. The initial idea was to use the tax increase to help fund the new $2.4 billion stadium for the Cleveland Browns.