Ohio debates sports betting

It is highly unlikely that Ohio won’t legalise sports betting by 2020, but it’s still unclear which model of regulation the state will adopt.

US.- The sports betting industry continues to evolve all across the US. That’s why more and more states continue to legalise or debate the segment’s regulation.

In Ohio, sports betting will certainly be legalised in 2020, but lawmakers continue to debate how. It’s not a matter of which sports or platforms will be included, but of what body will oversee the market.

There are two bills in the Legislature: SB111 would empower the casino commission and set a 6.25% tax. The other one is HB194, which chooses the lottery commission and taxes at a 10% rate instead.

“We’ve been working on this for well over a year. I think we’ll get to an agreement,” Sen. Sean O’Brien, SB111 sponsor, said. “That’s a safe bet.”

“Obviously, the debate is really becoming who regulates it and how,” Rep. Niraj Antani said. “I think there’s a compelling argument that perhaps the lottery is the constitutional way to do it. I am for a free market so if we are going to do it then it should not just be at casinos.”

“We’re definitely missing out. It’s lost revenue to other states where people are gambling on sports,” Rep. Phil Plummer added. “Unfortunately, it’s already going on in the black market. We might as well control it.”