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Ohio is taking big steps toward legalising online gambling. A new bill, called House Bill 96, is making its way through the Senate after already being passed by the House. If approved, it could bring online casino games and poker to life across the state.
Let’s break down what this means and why it’s a big deal for Ohioans.
A Quick Look at House Bill 96
House Bill 96 was brought forward by Representative Brian Stewart, who also leads the House Finance Committee. The main goal of the bill is to legalise online poker and casino-style games. The plan is simple: allow online gambling under state control, raise money for the government, but without increasing taxes on residents.
This move could boost the economy while keeping things fair and safe.
Why This Bill Could Change Gambling in Ohio
For many years, Ohio had very strict rules around gambling. It wasn’t until 2012 that the first full-service casino opened in the state. That was in Cleveland’s iconic Higbee’s building now the Horseshoe Casino.
With House Bill 96, Ohio could finally catch up with other states that already allow online casinos and poker. If passed, this law would open up new ways to play legally from home, which is something many residents have been waiting for.
What Other States Have Done Already
Ohio isn’t alone in this idea. Other U.S. states like:
- New Jersey
- Delaware
- West Virginia
- Pennsylvania
- Michigan
- Connecticut
- Rhode Island
They have already legalised online gambling. These states are also seeing strong results. They’ve created safe rules to protect users, stop fraud, and ensure fair gaming. Ohio wants to follow in their footsteps and do the same.
Sports Betting in Ohio
This isn’t Ohio’s first gambling law. In 2021, the state passed House Bill 29, which made both retail and online sports betting legal. The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) now handles all gambling rules and regulations in the state.
At first, sports betting was taxed at 10%, but that changed. In July 2023, lawmakers doubled the tax to 20%. There was even a plan to push it as high as 40%, which would make it one of the highest betting tax rates in the country. Though that plan was later dropped, the message was clear: Ohio sees huge money in online gambling.
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