Ohio’s efforts to pass an online casino bill have mostly stagnated, with little progress registered on that front over the past months.
However, a new bill under consideration could now elicit just enough support to land on the desk of Gov. Mike DeWine, who may, in fact, leave office before the issue is settled, as new contenders for the gubernatorial seat have already emerged and the midterms are looming. Gov. DeWine’s rival, however, may be in favor of online casinos.
Introducing Online Casinos to Benefit Land-based Properties, Lawmaker Estimates
The new draft law wants to create an iGaming industry that is designed to drive traffic to land-based gaming businesses, such as casinos and racinos.
The idea is simple enough – instead of offering the traditional bonuses that online casinos do, any promotions put forward by iGaming operators should tie and send footfall directly to the land-based venue in the state.
State Rep. Brian Stewart has outlined this plan during an iDevelopment and Economic Association panel on Friday, arguing that exact point, and insisting that any promotions set up by online operators ought to be used to drive traffic to the physical locations.
Rep. Stewart argues that it is important that any future online casinos be restricted to the state’s existing racinos and casinos, specifically because they have already disbursed millions to support the local economy and communities.
Rep. Stewart further argues that his new proposal balances different interest groups and does away with internal strife from the start -giving his draft law a chance to break the deadlock.
The representative has also noted that there is an immediate financial incentive behind passing an iGaming legislation that specifically focuses on online casinos, as the state could be pulling in as much as $400 million annually from the sector.
Online casinos are generally the biggest contributor of tax when it comes to gambling, as they drive solid interest, increased spending, and generally end up paying more to the state’s coffers.
High Windfall from Gambling at Online Casinos
In contrast, Ohio has collected $600 million in tax on sports betting since the activity’s launch on January 1, 2023. Responsible gambling advocates, however, worry that increased spending on online gambling could lead to more overall harm for players.
The removal of direct bonuses to incentivize online play could help dampen some of these adverse consequences; however, bonuses are usually how players are pushed into excessive gambling.
Responsible gambling advocates such as Derek Longmeier of the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio, however, have sounded an alarm that the start of the NFL season could lead to more harmful behavior across the state.
Ohio’s efforts to pass an online casino bill have mostly stagnated, with little progress registered on that front over the past months. However, a new bill under consideration could now elicit just enough support to land on the desk of Gov. Mike DeWine, who may, in fact, leave office before the issue is settled, as