Senators introduce sports betting bill in Ohio

Lawmakers in Ohio are to run the rule over a new bill that could lead to the state legalising land-based and online sports betting.

Sponsored by Senators John Eklund and Sean O’Brien, SB111 would permit the state’s 11 casinos and racinos to offer legal sports wagering to consumers in Ohio.

SB111, the first sports betting bill introduced in the Ohio Senate in the current legislative session, sets out measures that would allow for remote sign-up for players.

Venues that want to offer sports betting services would need to pay a licence fee of $100,000 (£75,500/€88,300). Licensees would be able to enter partnerships with operators in order to offer sports wagering.

Casinos and racinos that secure a licence would be subject to a tax rate of 6.25% on gross sports betting revenue. However, the bill omits any language relating to a so-called ‘integrity fee’ for professional sports leagues.

Ohio had been one of the only northwest states not to consider sports betting since the repeal of PASPA last year.

Pennsylvania to the east has been running a legal sports wagering market for a number of months, while neighbouring West Virginia has also legalised sports betting.

Meanwhile, Kentucky to the south is also considering a bill that would allow for legal sports wagering in the state, while Indiana is edging closer to legalised sports betting after the Senate recently moved to approve a bill.

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