Chavdar Vasilev is a journalist covering the casino and sports betting market sectors for CasinoBeats. He joined CasinoBeats in May 2025 and reports on industry-shaping stories across the US and beyond, including legislative debates, market...
Read Full BioOhio Governor Mike DeWine has made it clear that he strongly opposes legalizing online casinos in the state and won’t sign any legislation that comes to his desk during his final 18 months in office.
Speaking with reporters during the 2025 Ohio State Fair on Wednesday, July 23, DeWine said that the state “probably has enough gambling” and expressed concerns about the potential impact of legalizing online casinos:
“Basically, to put a casino in everybody’s hands, 24/7, I think is probably not a great idea. And I think it will cause more pain and suffering …as far as gaming addiction.”
The governor’s position is a significant blow to proponents of legalizing online casinos, who argue that a regulated market would bring hundreds of millions in new tax revenue.
Currently, two bills are active in the Ohio General Assembly. The estimation is that online casinos could generate up to $800 million annually for the state.
DeWine Supports Gambling Revenue but Not Expansion
While DeWine opposes online casino legalization, he has supported tax increases on existing gambling options.
In 2023, he successfully pushed for doubling the state’s tax on sportsbook revenue, from 10% to 20%, just six months after the market’s launch. He cited that Ohio must capture a greater share of the booming sports betting industry.
Earlier this year, he proposed doubling the tax again, this time from 20% to 40%. However, lawmakers rejected his proposal.
Opposition Backed by Public Health and Faith Leaders
DeWine’s position aligns with a broad coalition of opponents to iGaming. In May, a group of 100 pastors, mental health professionals, and anti-gambling advocates issued a joint letter urging lawmakers to reject online casinos.
The group, which includes Rep. Gary Click, who’s also a pastor, warns of increased risks of addiction, bankruptcy, and social harm.
Click claims that gambling appeals to those with “the lowest education, the lowest income, and the greatest debt.” By introducing online gambling, the state would hurt the most vulnerable individuals.
But Ohioans are Already Gambling Online
While Click and other opponents argue that online gambling would increase addiction and prey on vulnerable individuals, some data shows that Ohioans are already gambling online, just not through legal, regulated platforms.
A recent report by the Campaign for Gairer Gambling revealed that 74% of gross gambling revenue in the US comes from illegal platforms. According to the report, in Ohio, illegal platforms generated $5.26 billion, accounting for 85% of the total.
Ohio stood out as the state with the highest per-capita spending on both illegal online casinos and illegal sports betting.
Curbing the illegal market has been a common goal for iGaming proponents. The claim is that legalizing and regulating the market would protect consumers. It would also redirect those billions toward state programs and responsible gambling initiatives.
Two Competing iGaming Bills Remain Active
DeWine’s stance could mean the end of two separate proposals to legalize online casinos in the state.
In May, state Sen. Nathan Manning introduced a bill that would allow up to 11 online casino brands. The Senator’s proposal would tax the platforms between 36% and 40%.
The rate would depend on whether the license holders partner with an in-house brand (MGM, Caesars) or a third party (DraftKings, FanDuel). The latter would be taxed at a rate of 40%. Provisions of the bill also include legalizing online lottery and parimutuel betting.
A week later, Rep. Brian Stewart unveiled an online casino bill in the House. The most apparent difference between the two bills is that Stewart’s proposal calls for a flat 28% tax rate. The lawmaker says, if enacted, his proposal would bring the state $400 to $800 million annually in tax revenue.
Additionally, Stewart’s bill does not include online lottery or parimutuel betting. However, it calls for banning sweepstakes casinos, a move that would follow at least five other states that have banned these platforms.
Neither bill has made any movement through the legislature, and given DeWine’s latest comments, they face an uphill battle.
