Amy Acton, the Democratic candidate for governor in Ohio, has expressed her willingness to consider the expansion of online casinos if she wins the election. She emphasized the need for stringent regulations, protections for youth, and limitations on misleading advertising.
In an interview with the Statehouse News Bureau, Acton suggested that online gambling could generate revenue that would support initiatives aimed at reducing living costs and enhancing public services. She stated, “I see it as a source of revenue that can help fund the proposals necessary to lower the cost of living in this state and provide essential services.”
As a physician and former health director, Acton stressed that any expansion of online gambling must be paired with robust safeguards. “I want to ensure we have the right regulatory framework in place. It's crucial to eliminate the predatory advertising we currently observe and to protect our youth,” she remarked.
On the other hand, Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has also commented on gambling, but his statements were more generalized. “I am committed to ensuring that whatever measures we take will be implemented responsibly to safeguard Ohioans,” Ramaswamy noted.
Acton’s statements reflect her campaign stance rather than a concrete legislative agenda. So far, neither candidate has provided specific details regarding an online casino bill, tax regulations, player protections, or advertising guidelines.