Ohio lawmaker proposes online casino bill tied to land-based venues
State Rep. Brian Stewart’s proposal would restrict igaming licences to existing casinos and racinos.
US.- State Rep. Brian Stewart has presented a new online casino bill that aims to end the deadlock on legalising igaming in Ohio. The proposal presented during a panel hosted by the iDevelopment and Economic Association would limit online casino licences to the state’s existing racinos and casinos.
Under Stewart’s plan, igaming operators would forgo the traditional bonuses common to online casinos. Instead, any promotions would need to be structured to send players to land-based properties. Stewart argued that this would recognise the funding such venues have contributed to local economies and communities.
Stewart argued that the bill balances competing interest groups, which he believes gives it a better chance of passing than previous proposals that stalled amid internal disagreement. He also suggests that removing direct bonuses could help reduce the risk of gambling harm. However, the political calendar complicates the new bill’s prospects with midterm elections approaching.
