Ohio’s push to legalize online casinos and digital lottery games has lost steam, with key state leaders saying no further gambling expansion is likely this year.
House Speaker Matt Huffman (R-Lima) confirmed that measures to authorize and tax online gambling — including House Bill 298 and Senate Bill 197 — are not expected to advance. While lawmakers briefly considered adding these proposals to the biennial state budget earlier this year, they were dropped before the final version was passed.
“There’s a group of people who don’t gamble, there’s a group of people who do, maybe some people participate in different ways,”Huffman said Wednesday. “At some point, there is a saturation point.”
DeWine Opposes Digital Gambling Access
Governor Mike DeWine has also voiced strong opposition to expanding gambling into the online casino and lottery space. While he signed a bill legalizing sports betting in 2023, DeWine said in July he does not support further expansion.
“To put a casino in everybody’s hands 24/7 is probably not a great idea, and I think it will cause more pain and suffering in regard to gaming addiction, so I’m just not for it,” he told reporters.
Ohio’s move into sports betting has already raised public health concerns. A 2022 survey found one in five Ohioans are considered at least “at-risk” gamblers. Since legalization, calls to the state’s gambling helpline have significantly increased.
Despite support from major online gaming platforms, HB 298 and SB 197 have faced stiff resistance from a coalition of religious leaders, labor unions, and mental health advocates. With minimal legislative backing and growing concern over gambling addiction, the bills have stalled.
Kalshi Sues Ohio Over Market Restrictions
While online casino legislation in Ohio is paused, a legal clash has emerged between the state and Kalshi, a federally regulated platform for trading on real-world outcomes. On October 7, Kalshi filed suit against the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) and the Attorney General’s Office, claiming the state blocked its operations without legal grounds.
Kalshi operates under the authority of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), offering users the ability to trade on event-based markets. The company says it engaged with Ohio regulators for months before receiving a cease-and-desist order in early 2025. Regulators also warned licensed sportsbooks that working with Kalshi — even outside Ohio — could endanger their licenses.
In a letter dated October 6, OCCC Executive Director Matthew Schuler stated Kalshi’s understanding of federal preemption was “incorrect,” and any unlicensed gaming activity in Ohio would violate state law.
Virginia Considers Online Gambling Future
Meanwhile, Virginia is actively exploring iGaming. A recent legislative hearing in Richmond featured input from both industry advocates and public health experts.
Dave Rebuck, former director of New Jersey’s gaming regulator, encouraged Virginia to model its approach after New Jersey’s. Delegate Marcus Simon projected potential tax revenues as high as $5.3 billion over five years.
But experts including Keith Whyte of Safer Gambling Strategies and Brianne Doura-Schawohl warned of addiction and youth exposure. The subcommittee will hold more hearings ahead of the 2026 legislative session.
Source:
“Legal internet gambling in Ohio? Unlikely anytime soon”, statenews.org, October 18, 2025
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