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Ohio lawmakers are again weighing online casino legalization, this time with a proposal designed to funnel some promotional activity back to retail properties. According to Yogonet, Rep. Brian Stewart wants to revive House Bill 298 in the next legislative session and require promotional credits for online play to be redeemable at brick-and-mortar casinos.
No West Virginia-specific policy change was reported. But the debate is notable regionally because Ohio borders West Virginia, Michigan and Pennsylvania, which already allow online casino gaming.
Proposal would limit licenses to existing casinos and racinos
Stewart’s approach would keep market access narrow. Under the proposal described by Yogonet, online casino licenses would be limited to Ohio’s current casinos and racinos rather than opening the market more broadly.
Stewart said the idea is to protect land-based gaming jobs and reduce opposition from retail operators. Ohio has 11 casinos and racinos and about 20,000 casino-industry employees, according to the source.
The plan also appears shaped by Ohio’s sports betting launch in January 2023, when operators spent heavily on promotions to build market share. By tying promotional credits to in-person properties, lawmakers are reportedly looking for a model that supports existing casino businesses while considering iGaming expansion.
Political outlook remains uncertain
The bill’s path is still unclear. Yogonet reported that Gov. Mike DeWine opposes further gambling expansion, which could limit the proposal’s chances in 2026. However, DeWine is due to leave office in January, potentially changing the political environment around online casino legalization.
The source also noted that Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton supports iGaming with safeguards, while Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has not taken a firm public position.
For West Virginia readers, this is mainly a neighboring-state policy story rather than a local regulatory change. Still, Ohio is a market to watch because it would join a short list of just eight U.S. states with legal iGaming if lawmakers move forward.
What to watch next
Key unanswered questions include whether HB 298 will be formally reintroduced, what the final promotional-credit rules would look like, and how any in-person redemption requirement would be enforced. Until lawmakers take up the bill in a new session, no change has been reported for West Virginia players or operators.
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Source: As reported by yogonet.com.
