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Ohio lawmakers are considering a new online casino proposal that would limit licenses to the state’s 11 casinos and prohibit online promotional credits. The measure has not yet been detailed in a formal bill, but supporters expect it to surface during the 2027 budget process after earlier legalization efforts failed in 2025.
State Rep. Brian Stewart said the proposal is structured to avoid conflict among competing gaming interests and to reduce concerns about online play cannibalizing retail casino business.
Proposal would tie online gaming to Ohio’s casinos
Under the framework described, only Ohio’s 11 casinos would be eligible for online gaming licenses. Online promotional credits would be barred, while promotions tied to in-person casino visits would still be allowed.
“We would say that you can’t offer online promotional credits. You can offer promotional credits, but they need to be credits for the land-based casino,” Stewart said.
Supporters believe the approach could generate $400 million in state tax revenue. Stewart also said the structure is meant to prevent the issue from becoming, in his words, “this turf fight amongst all the different gaming interests.”
Some major operators with casinos in Ohio include Caesars, Hard Rock, and Penn Entertainment.
Political outlook remains unsettled ahead of 2027
The proposal still faces opposition from some gaming interests and uncertainty in state politics. Gov. Mike DeWine previously opposed online casino legislation and is term-limited, with Ohio set to elect a new governor in November 2026.
Democratic candidate Amy Acton said she supports legalization if it includes consumer protections and responsible gaming safeguards. “I want to make sure we stop the sort of predatory advertising we’re seeing, and I want to make sure our young people are protected,” Acton said.
Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has been described as more ambivalent, saying expansion should happen in “a responsible way that protects Ohioans.”
Churchill Downs Incorporated, which owns a 50% stake in Miami Valley Gaming, opposes online gaming expansion and is a member of the National Association Against iGaming. Jack Entertainment, which operates two Ohio properties, is also an NAAIG member.
Why the debate matters in the region
Ohio borders West Virginia, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, all of which have legalized iGaming. Supporters argue that Ohio residents can already cross state lines to gamble online and that some also use offshore operators.
With a population of about 12 million, Ohio could also become a significant state for shared online poker liquidity if online poker is included and the state joins the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement. Pennsylvania was the last state to join MSIGA in 2025.
For now, key unanswered questions include whether a bill will be formally introduced, what consumer protection rules it would contain, and whether Ohio’s next governor would support or veto it.
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Source: As reported by Sean Chaffin.
