Ohio hopes to revive sports betting bill
The Senate has called for a conference with House members to discuss a proposed sports betting bill.
US.- Proponents of sports betting in Ohio hope that a conference of Senate and House members can reach an agreement on a bill that would legalise the activity in the state.
The joint conference will discuss HB 29, which the Senate passed on June 24. The bill, which was devised to permit certain residents to obtain veterans ID cards, was amended at the last minute to tack on a version of SB 176 on sports betting.
However, members of the House refused to agree to the amendments on June 28. The Senate has now requested the committee of conference and is insisting on amendments.
HB 29 proposes three types of sports betting licences:
- Type A licences for state entities that have the ability to bank a bet, such as the state’s 11 casinos and racinos.
- Type B licences for future brick-and-mortar sportsbooks.
- Type C licences for sports betting kiosks in retail establishments with D-class liquor licenses.
The bill allows for 65 licences in total: 25 online sports betting licences and 40 retail sportsbook licences. There is still time for it to be passed this year. Ohio’s legislature can run until December 31.
