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A group of Ohio Republican lawmakers has introduced sweeping legislation that would eliminate online sports betting in the state and significantly restructure Ohio’s regulated gambling market.
House Bill 971, also known as the “Save Ohio Sports Act,” was introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives by Reps. Johnathan Newman and Beth Lear. The proposal represents one of the most aggressive attempts yet to reverse elements of the state’s recently expanded sports wagering system.
If enacted, the bill would restrict legal sports betting to in-person wagering only at licensed retail casino locations, effectively ending mobile and online sportsbooks across Ohio.
Online Betting Would Be Eliminated Under Proposal
The most significant provision of HB 971 is the removal of statewide online sports betting access. Under the proposal, mobile sportsbooks would be geofenced to physical casino properties, forcing bettors to place wagers only in person.
Retail betting would remain legal, but online platforms currently dominating the market would be shut down.
Lawmakers behind the bill argue that the current system has expanded too quickly and carries social risks.
“Monetizing addiction to fund public education is the wrong direction for Ohio,” said Rep. Jonathan Newman, as reported by SBC Americas, citing The Ohio House of Representatives. “Who wins when predatory gambling preys on the vulnerable? It’s not our schools; that’s for sure! It’s the trillion-dollar big gambling companies who win. How is this good for Ohio?”
Broad Restrictions on Bet Types and Market Access
Beyond banning online wagering, the legislation introduces wide-ranging restrictions on the types of bets allowed in Ohio.
The bill would eliminate all in-game and live betting markets, player prop bets, parlay wagers and all college sports betting. Only single-game wagers would remain legal under the proposal, marking a substantial reduction in available betting options compared to the current market structure.
The bill also limits betting activity at the individual level, restricting customers to a maximum of $100 per wager and no more than eight bets within a 24-hour period.
HB 971 also introduces new advertising rules designed to limit the visibility of gambling promotions. Sportsbooks would be prohibited from placing advertisements inside collegiate sporting venues or broadcasting ads during live sporting events.
The proposal also includes a ban on credit card funding for sports betting accounts. Bettors would be required to use alternative funding methods such as bank transfers or winnings.
Lawmakers say these restrictions are intended to reduce exposure to gambling marketing and strengthen consumer safeguards, particularly for younger audiences.
Supporters of the bill argue that gambling-related harm has increased alongside the expansion of online wagering. Some lawmakers have linked sports betting to addiction concerns and broader social harm.
Rep. Beth Lear said the bill aims to reduce those risks and protect vulnerable groups, particularly young people exposed to gambling advertising.
“Gambling is the No. 1 addiction that leads to suicide,” Lear said. “Online gambling companies are in an aggressive pay-to-play game with the Ohio Legislature, hoping to expand their profits on the backs of Ohioans with the ‘carrot’ of providing extra tax money for the government. This legislation makes it clear: our kids, their physical and mental well-being, are not for sale.”
Economic Impact of Existing Sports Betting Market
Ohio’s current sports betting system, launched in 2023, has generated significant revenue for the state. Online wagering accounts for the overwhelming majority of activity, representing more than 98% of total betting handle in recent reporting periods.
Sports betting taxes have brought in hundreds of millions of dollars since legalization, including more than $200 million in operator revenue taxes in 2025 alone. Retail wagering, by comparison, has contributed only a small fraction of total tax receipts.
If passed, Ohio would become the first US state to fully repeal online sports betting since the federal PASPA reversal opened the door to state-level legalization.
HB 971 has been introduced but has not yet been assigned to a House committee for debate or amendment. The bill must still pass both legislative chambers before reaching the governor’s desk.
Governor Mike DeWine has previously expressed skepticism about sports betting legalization, at one point calling it his “biggest regret,” suggesting potential political openness to tighter restrictions.
For now, the proposal sets the stage for a major policy debate over the future of gambling regulation in Ohio, with lawmakers split between concerns over public health and the financial benefits generated by the current system.