Ohio’s 2026 gubernatorial candidates have taken different positions on the future of gambling as the state considers whether to expand online wagering. Democratic nominee Amy Acton and Libertarian candidate Don Kissick support allowing additional forms of online gambling, while Republican nominee Vivek Ramaswamy has not publicly outlined his position.
Ramaswamy’s campaign did not respond to questions about gambling policy. His stance could matter because the next governor will influence taxation, consumer protections and funding for gambling-related treatment.
Ohio has operated four casinos and seven racinos for more than a decade and legalized sports betting in 2023. The state’s gambling operations produced a record $3.5 billion in revenue last year, according to the American Gaming Association.
Acton Backs Broader Online Gambling
Acton’s campaign said she would consider expanding iGaming to generate revenue for priorities including public schools, childcare and property-tax relief. Her campaign did not identify which forms of online gambling she would support, although lawmakers previously proposed online casino games, internet horse-racing wagers and Ohio Lottery games.
Acton would retain Ohio’s 20% sports-betting tax and opposes a statewide ban on proposition bets. She does favor unspecified restrictions on microprop wagers involving highly specific events during games.
“Consumers should be able to spend their money how they please,” Bullock said.
Acton also supports restrictions on gambling advertising aimed at people younger than 21 or promoting “guaranteed wins” or “risk-free bets.” She favors broader voluntary exclusion programs and opposes using active athletes and celebrities to target at-risk gamblers.
Kissick Favors Legalization With Fewer Restrictions
Kissick also supports expanding online gambling, arguing that legalization would move wagering toward licensed operators and away from underground activity.
“I am of the mindset (that) prohibition does not work,” Kissick, a TV station control-room operator from Ottawa, stated in an email.
“At least with a sensible legalization setup, people are engaging in that activity through licensed and legitimate vendors, as opposed to underground and criminal operations,” he continued. “In addition to the obvious reasons why that is a good thing, this also reduces the risk of people being defrauded while betting.”
Kissick has not specified which additional gambling products he would legalize. He would leave Ohio’s existing sports-betting laws unchanged.
“Constantly modifying betting laws necessarily will make compliance more difficult,” he stated. “We should not be tacitly setting up these operations to fail.”
Kissick is open to changing the share of gambling-tax revenue directed toward treatment, currently 2%.
Ramaswamy Position Remains Unclear
Public statements outlining Ramaswamy’s gambling policies have not been identified. His campaign also did not answer questions about expansion, sports-betting rules or addiction safeguards.
The issue comes as Ohio faces pressure from both sides. Supporters point to potential tax revenue and demand for online gambling, while critics warn that easier access could worsen addiction and financial hardship.
A Federal Reserve Bank of New York study published earlier this year found that legalized sports betting could contribute to lower credit scores and higher delinquency rates over time.
The next governor will therefore have influence even without pursuing major legislative changes, including decisions involving sports-betting taxes, addiction-treatment funding and consumer protections.
Source:
“Ohio governor candidates back online gambling expansion; Ramaswamy silent”, cleveland.com, August 2, 2026
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