Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton said she would consider legalising online casinos if elected in November. She said any expansion should include regulation, limits on advertising she considers predatory and protections for young people; Republican nominee Vivek Ramaswamy has not set out a detailed policy.
Operators and lawmakers face a potential change in Ohio’s online casino policy if Acton is elected.
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Citizens analyst Jordan Bender said the US midterm election results could influence gaming companies. In Texas, Vicki Goodwin won the lieutenant governor race and supports a public vote on casinos and sports betting; Nebraska voters rejected two measures that would have legalised online sports betting. Bender said Amy Acton's Ohio victory may ease the path to igaming legalisation, though Republicans hold supermajorities in both legislative chambers.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said the state will pursue further enforcement against prediction market operators offering sports-related contracts, arguing they breach state gambling law. The Ohio Casino Control Commission has issued cease-and-desist notices to Kalshi, Polymarket and Robinhood. A federal court recently ruled Kalshi must comply with state law; Kalshi has challenged the decision.
Governor Mike DeWine has announced that Ohio intends to step up enforcement against prediction market operators that sell sports-related contracts, on the grounds that such products break state gambling law. Cease-and-desist notices have already gone out from the Ohio Casino Control Commission to firms such as Kalshi, Polymarket and Robinhood.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said the state can enforce its gaming laws against sports event contracts offered by Kalshi, reportedly. DeWine characterised prediction markets as gambling and said Ohio would enforce its laws; Kalshi has argued that its products are federally regulated and has disputed state oversight.
Reportedly, Two Ohio gubernatorial candidates have indicated openness to legalising online casinos. Democrat Amy Acton and Libertarian Don Kissick each signalled a position, while another candidate has been fairly quiet on the issue.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission is advancing a rule to prohibit sports bettors from funding wagers with credit cards, an agency spokesperson confirmed. The proposal has not taken effect and must pass through the Common Sense Initiative before receiving approval from the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review.