Ohio Democratic candidate Amy Acton open to online casino legalisation

Democratic hopeful says iGaming could fund public services if paired with advertising limits and youth protections

US.- The Democratic candidate for Ohio governor Amy Acton has said she is open to legalising online casinos if elected in November, provided any expansion includes a strict regulatory framework, limits on predatory advertising and protections for young people. Acton, a physician and former Ohio health director, made the comments in an interview with Karen Kasler of the Statehouse News Bureau for The State of Ohio.

Acton said: “Certainly I see it as a source of revenue that can help fund the proposals that we need to help bring down the cost of living in this state and provide for the services we need to fund.

“That said, I am a doctor and a public health professional, and I want to make sure we have the right regulatory environment around it. I want to make sure we stop the sort of predatory advertising we’re seeing, and I want to make sure our young people are protected. So that’s what you’ll see when I do this: a very nuanced and comprehensive strategy.”

Republican nominee Vivek Ramaswamy has not set out a detailed policy. In a separate interview cited by the Statehouse News Bureau, Ramaswamy said he wanted a “fresh perspective” on the debate.

Ramaswamy said: “What I’m committed to is whatever we do, it is going to be done in a responsible way that protects Ohioans.”

Ohio’s legalisation of sports betting took effect in January 2023, yet real-money online casino games are still not permitted. Governor Mike DeWine, who is serving his last term, has voiced his disapproval of igaming. House Bill 298 and Senate Bill 197 were introduced in 2025 to legalise the sector and outlaw online sweepstakes games are currently held up in committee.