The Ohio Senate passed Senate Bill 176, which would legalise sports betting on professional, college, and other sports. The bill is expected to be approved by June 30.
Under the proposed legislation
On Wednesday, lawmakers in the Ohio Senate passed SB 176 in a 30-2 vote. The original bill, which was introduced in early May, got a substantial makeover, including an increased number of licences, a preferential treatment to professional sports teams in Ohio and added a new licence option for bars and more.
Overall, SB 176 would create three types of licences, which will all be regulated by the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC):
– Type A – up to 25 – for online gaming businesses, including companies that have mobile apps.
– Type B – up to 33- for brick-and-mortar casinos, racinos and in-person sportsbook businesses.
– Type C – No more than 20 – through self-service terminals that bars, restaurants, bowling alleys and similar liquor permit holders can obtain. This licence will be regulated by the Ohio Lottery, with help of OCCC, with a maximum of $200 a day in bets from the same credit or debit card.
A safe and lucrative expansion of gaming in the state
“This bill will spur economic opportunities for businesses in Ohio (…) Ohioans want legalised sports betting, and this bill will provide that with a safe expansion of gaming in our state”, said Senator Niraj Antani.
Each type of licence will cost $1 million, and the state will receive 10% from net revenue of these operations, directed toward public and private education, as well as gambling addiction and problem gambling.
SB 176 will now be sent to the Ohio House.
