A coalition of lawmakers in Ohio has put forward a new bill aimed at prohibiting online sports betting while imposing significant restrictions on legal wagering within the state.
House Bill 971, spearheaded by Republican Representatives Johnathan Newman and Beth Lear, seeks to limit sports betting to physical retail sportsbooks only. Should this bill be passed, it would effectively eliminate online wagering, which currently holds a dominant position in Ohio's sports betting landscape.
Recent data from the Ohio Casino Control Commission reveals that online sportsbooks accounted for a staggering 98.5% of the total sports betting handle in May, contributing the bulk of revenue for operators.
In addition to banning online betting, House Bill 971 introduces extensive restrictions on various betting markets. The proposed legislation would disallow wagers on college sports, parlays, player proposition bets, and live in-game betting.
Furthermore, the bill proposes a cap on individual bets at $100 and restricts bettors to a maximum of eight wagers within a 24-hour timeframe. It also prohibits the use of credit cards or borrowed funds for financing betting accounts.
Earlier in May, the commission had already suggested a rule to ban credit card deposits for sportsbook accounts. If this rule is approved, bettors would only be permitted to fund their accounts through ACH transfers, wire transfers, promotional credits, and winnings. This proposed rule must receive approval from the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review and undergo public hearings before it can take effect.
Ohio had previously banned college player proposition bets in 2024 following NCAA recommendations for nationwide restrictions.
Governor Mike DeWine has voiced his regrets about signing Ohio's sports betting law in 2021, advocating for stricter gambling regulations. In November 2025, he remarked to the Associated Press that “Ohio shouldn't have done it,” in reference to the legalization of sports betting.
His statements came in light of federal allegations concerning Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, who were accused of manipulating pitches as part of a gambling-related kickback scheme.
In January, DeWine reiterated his stance in an interview with Cleveland.com, once again criticizing sports betting and calling for the elimination of prop bets.
Proponents of the bill argue that it aims to combat gambling addiction and enhance consumer protections. “Monetizing addiction to fund public education is the wrong direction for Ohio,” Newman stated. “Who benefits when predatory gambling exploits the vulnerable? It certainly isn’t our schools! It’s the billion-dollar gambling corporations that profit. How is this beneficial for Ohio?”
Lear shared similar sentiments, emphasizing the need for stronger measures against problem gambling. “Gambling is the leading addiction that can lead to suicide – online gambling companies are aggressively trying to influence the Ohio Legislature, hoping to boost their profits at the expense of Ohioans, all while dangling the 'carrot' of extra tax revenue for the government,” Lear remarked. “This legislation clearly indicates that our children’s physical and mental health are not for sale.”
In addition to the betting restrictions, the bill would also impose stricter limits on gambling advertisements and promotional offers directed at consumers.
The legislation has yet to be assigned to a House committee. For it to become law, it must pass both chambers of the Ohio General Assembly before reaching Governor DeWine's desk. The proposal is supported by eight additional Republican lawmakers and follows an announcement in April detailing plans for substantial changes to Ohio's sports betting regulations.
If enacted, Ohio would be the first state to revoke online sports betting since the repeal of PASPA. Maryland had considered a similar initiative in 2025 through Senate Bill 1033, which aimed to terminate online sports betting while allowing retail sportsbooks to continue operating. However, that measure did not progress beyond its initial Senate reading.
Since its launch on January 1, 2023, Ohio's online and retail sportsbooks have generated over $1 billion in revenue, yielding nearly $210 million in tax revenue.