Ohio Lawmakers Push to Ban Mobile Sports Betting

Ohio lawmakers have introduced a bill that could dramatically reshape the state's sports betting market by banning online wagering and limiting sports betting to physical casino locations.

Known as the Save Ohio Sports Act, House Bill 971 was introduced by Republican Representatives Jonathan Newman and Beth Lear. If passed, the legislation would end online and mobile sports betting while allowing wagers only at licensed casinos. It would also ban several popular betting markets, including live betting, parlay bets, player prop bets, and betting on college sports.

The proposal marks one of the most significant attempts to roll back legal sports betting since Ohio launched its regulated market in 2023.

Bill Would Dramatically Change Ohio's Betting Market

House Bill 971 would make major changes to how sports betting operates across the state. In addition to ending online sportsbooks, the legislation would require bettors to place wagers in person at casinos. It would also prohibit credit card betting and remove promotional offers such as free bets that operators frequently use to attract customers.

Supporters of the bill say the measures are designed to reduce gambling related harm and make betting less accessible. If approved, the changes would significantly reduce the convenience that has helped online sportsbooks grow in recent years.

Industry Could Face Major Impact

The proposal would have a significant impact on licensed sportsbook operators currently serving Ohio customers. Mobile betting accounts for the vast majority of sports wagering activity in the state, and removing online platforms would fundamentally change how operators do business.

For bettors, the bill would mean travelling to a casino to place wagers instead of using mobile apps from anywhere within the state. Popular products such as same game parlays, in play betting and player props would also disappear under the proposal. The legislation is expected to face strong opposition from sportsbook operators and others who say that legal online betting provides consumers with a safer alternative to offshore gambling sites.

Part of a Wider Debate Over Sports Betting

The proposal comes as lawmakers across the U.S. continue debating how sports betting should be regulated. Some states are exploring higher tax rates and tighter advertising rules, while others are considering additional consumer protection measures. Ohio's latest proposal goes much further by looking to remove online sports betting altogether.

Whether House Bill 971 gains enough support to become law remains uncertain at this point, but it is likely to trigger a lively debate over the future of legal sports betting in the state.

A Proposal That Could Reshape Ohio's Market

For now, online sports betting remains legal in Ohio. However, House Bill 971 signals that some lawmakers want to take the market in a very different direction by returning sports betting to retail casinos and limiting the types of wagers available.

As the bill moves through the legislative process, operators, bettors and regulators will be watching closely to see whether one of the country's biggest sports betting markets is about to undergo a major change.

Stay tuned to UMG Gaming for more updates on sports betting legislation, regulation, and the latest developments from across the U.S. gaming industry.