Three Ohio Republican House members introduced a bill on Wednesday that would take a hatchet to the current sports betting laws in the Buckeye State. The Save Ohio Sports Act proposes sweeping changes to what Ohioans are able to do at legal and regulated sports betting sites in the state.
Sponsors of the Save Ohio Sports Act insist that current sports betting laws are too loose and are impacting the fiscal and mental health of Ohioans.
While proposing an entire ban on sports betting in the state, the lawmakers behind the bill are encouraging their compatriots in the state legislature to make sweeping changes to how sports betting operates.
“We do understand that people want some form of legalized sports gambling, we’re not removing that,” Rep. Gary Click (R-Vickery), one of the three sponsors of the bill, said at a Wednesday press conference, according to the
Dayton Daily News. “But we also know that people want consumer protections; that they want to be protected from predatory advertisements and predatory gambling in Ohio, because the house always wins.
”We know that.”
Rep. Johnathan Newman (R-Troy) and Rep. Riordan McClain (R-Upper Sandusky) are the other co-sponsors of the Save Ohio Sports Act.
Under the terms of the bill, the Save Ohio Sports Act would eliminate all online sports betting in the state. Sports bettors would be left to wager in person at retail sports books.
The types of wagers that people could place would also be significantly curtailed. All prop bets, in-game betting, and parlay plays would be prohibited. There would also be a 100% ban on college sports betting.
Financial incentives offered by sportsbooks to get new players to sign up would also be eliminated. All forms of advertising relating to sports betting would also be severely limited. The use of credit cards to fund sports betting accounts would be prohibited statewide.
Lawmakers behind the bill insist that sports betting is creating negative perceptions about the integrity of sports.
“Do we really want, for the rest of our lives, to be watching every bad call from a ref and going, ‘Who’s in his ear? Who’s calling him? Who’s threatening his family?’” Newman said. “Do we want that?
“That’s where we are right now, and we’re here to say we want to change that.”
Mental health officials are supportive of more restrictive Ohio sports betting
State mental health officials are backing the bid for restrictions on Ohio sports betting.
Tony Coder, CEO of the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation, noted that 254,000 Ohioans suffer from gambling disorders.
“Studies have shown that problem gambling . . . have the highest suicide rates among addiction disorders,” Coder said.
The bill’s co-sponsors believe they can gain enough support to move the initiative forward.
“We think this approach is reasonable,” Riordan said. “We think that these are specific restrictions on things that we think add to that epidemic, and we want to have those conversations with colleagues.
“We hope to get enough support to get this through the finish line.”
4.8
/ 5
betting.net™ Rating
BetMGM Review
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
20+ sports available for wagering
Pre-match and in-play betting
Unique features like live streaming and boosted odds
Promo Code:
BETBONUSMGM
Bet Now
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
4.8
/ 5
betting.net™ Rating
Top Features
- 20+ sports available for wagering
- Pre-match and in-play betting
- Unique features like live streaming and boosted odds
Cashout
yes
Live Streams
yes
Mobile Statistics
yes
Bet Now
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
4.7
/ 5
betting.net™ Rating
Over 20 sports
Extensive betting markets
Live betting feature
Bet Now
Find out more on bet365's website
Whatever the moment. It's Never Ordinary at bet365. That's why if you sign up now you will receive $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose when you bet $5! Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 or greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&CS, time limits and exclusions apply.GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-MY-RESET. 21+ (AZ/CO/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA/MD/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). 21+ (18+ KY). Must be present in AZ/CO/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA (select parishes)/MD/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA.
4.7
/ 5
betting.net™ Rating
Top Features
- Over 20 sports
- Extensive betting markets
- Live betting feature
Cashout
yes
Partial Cashout
yes
Live Streams
yes
Bet Now
Whatever the moment. It's Never Ordinary at bet365. That's why if you sign up now you will receive $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose when you bet $5! Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 or greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&CS, time limits and exclusions apply.GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-MY-RESET. 21+ (AZ/CO/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA/MD/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). 21+ (18+ KY). Must be present in AZ/CO/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA (select parishes)/MD/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA.
4.7
/ 5
betting.net™ Rating
FanDuel Review
New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days
Deep market coverage across major U.S. sports and leagues
Same Game Parlay builder is fast and easy to use
Live betting interface updates quickly with real-time odds
Bet Now
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelplineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ DC, IA, KY, WV) only. New users only or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Casino, First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Min $5 wager required for 5 consecutive days. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable Bet Reset tokens. Refund from token issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bet that expire 7 days after receipt. Max refund $200 per day. Restrictions apply, including token expiration. See full terms at fanduel.com/sportsbook. Call 1-877-770-7867 (LA).
4.7
/ 5
betting.net™ Rating
Top Features
- Deep market coverage across major U.S. sports and leagues
- Same Game Parlay builder is fast and easy to use
- Live betting interface updates quickly with real-time odds
Cashout
yes
Live Streams
yes
Mobile Statistics
yes
Bet Now
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelplineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ DC, IA, KY, WV) only. New users only or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Casino, First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Min $5 wager required for 5 consecutive days. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable Bet Reset tokens. Refund from token issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bet that expire 7 days after receipt. Max refund $200 per day. Restrictions apply, including token expiration. See full terms at fanduel.com/sportsbook. Call 1-877-770-7867 (LA).
Related Articles on betting.net™