Ohio Governor Continues Opposition to Online Casino Proposals

“I’m not for it,” the governor told Cleveland.com at the State Fair. “Basically, to put a casino in everybody’s hands, 24/7, I think is probably not a great idea."

Ziv Chen

Last Updated: July 25, 2025 9:11 AM EDT • 2 minute read

Ohio Governor Continues Opposition to Online Casino Proposals — Pictured: Ohio Governor Mike DeWine speaks to the media. Photo by Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has reiterated his position that he does not support any action to legalize online casinos for his entire governorship. Speaking from his day off visit to the Ohio State Fair on Wednesday, Gov. DeWine made his criticism of currently tabled propositions that aim to legalize online betting due to concern for problem gambling, as well as the social impact of around-the-clock access to casino-style games on mobile devices.

“I’m not for it,” the governor told Cleveland.com at the State Fair. “Basically, to put a casino in everybody’s hands, 24/7, I think is probably not a great idea. And I think it will cause more pain and suffering ...as far as gaming addiction.”

Legislators in the Ohio House and Senate proposed bills in May to legalize online gambling. They would permit the state's four casinos and seven racinos to offer real money online casinos with slots, table games, poker, and roulette. The Senate version would also allow online lottery games and permit horse race betting over the internet.

Since 2009, when Ohio voters greenlit the establishment of casinos and racinos via a constitutional amendment, the state has incrementally increased gambling availability. That growth extended in 2023 when Gov. DeWine signed a bill into law making Ohio sports betting legal.

Sports betting tax hike removed

Amid the growth of Ohio sports betting apps, Ohio has dropped plans to increase the tax rate on sports betting revenues after lawmakers finalized the state's new two-year budget. The final budget did not include Gov. DeWine's proposal to raise the sports betting tax from 20% to 40%, which was part of his original fiscal 2026-2027 budget plan.

Gov. DeWine projected the increase could generate between $130 million and $180 million annually. The funds would support youth sports initiatives and improve sports venues.

The budget, which was approved without the tax hike, took effect on July 1 and will remain in force through June 30, 2027.

Guardians' Luis Ortiz betting probe update

Sports betting in Ohio is growing, but it has been linked to illegal activity. Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz will remain on paid leave until at least Aug. 31 as MLB continues investigating suspicious betting activity tied to his game performances.

Ortiz was originally placed on non-disciplinary leave on July 3 and was expected to return by July 19, but MLB and the MLB Players Association have extended the timeline. He's prohibited from visiting team facilities but is still allowed to communicate with team staff.

The investigation focuses on betting irregularities surrounding two specific pitches, one thrown on June 15 in Seattle and another on June 27 in a game against St. Louis. A third-party integrity monitoring firm flagged the bets and forwarded them to the MLB.

Written by:
Ziv Chen

Ziv has over two decades of experience in the igaming and sports betting industry, having served in senior marketing and business development positions with both B2C and B2B companies, including Playtech and Microgaming. In 2019, Ziv decided to pursue his passion for writing and became a fulltime industry journalist, covering casino, sports, and gambling business news. He’s specialties include casino games and technology, US state gambling regulation, company performance, as well as gambling affiliates and marketing. As a Pitt graduate, Ziv is a diehard fan of all Pittsburgh sports teams, with the Steelers at the top of the list. In his free time, he enjoys reading crime fiction, biographies (mainly of sports personalities, but not only) and American history. Ziv’s Favorite quote: “We're going to pursue perfection, knowing full well we won't catch it, but we're going to relentlessly chase it," Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach.