Ohio Governor Mike DeWine proposed raising the sports betting tax rate from 20% to 40% in his budget plan, with the added revenue assigned to a sports projects fund. Republican leaders in the state House and Senate have voiced opposition, and lawmakers are due to debate budget amendments in the coming weeks.
Operators could face a higher tax rate if the proposal survives the budget process.
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Ohio Governor Mike DeWine proposed raising the state’s sports betting tax from 20% to 40% in the 2026-27 budget. He said the increase could raise $100 million to $130 million for a fund supporting professional sports facilities and youth sports, with allocations made by a group appointed by the governor and legislature if lawmakers approve the measure. Sports Betting Alliance president Jeremy Kudon warned that higher taxes could prompt operators to cut costs.
North Carolina lawmakers are considering raising the 18% tax on sports betting revenue as part of budget negotiations. House budget writer Donny Lambeth confirmed that legislators in both chambers agreed to pursue an increase, while anonymous sources reportedly said a tentative rate near 20% had been discussed; the proposal remains subject to change.
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs proposed increasing the sports betting tax by 35 percentage points. Hobbs said changes to other states’ tax systems had put Arizona at a competitive disadvantage.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission paused work on a proposed ban on player-specific live micro bets after MLB introduced nationwide limits on pitch-level wagers. MLB’s rules cap those bets at $200 and exclude them from parlays; the commission had been considering restrictions since August.
Kalshi filed a lawsuit against the Ohio Casino Control Commission on 29 June, seeking to stop a proposed $5m penalty over alleged unlicensed sports betting. The company argues that the enforcement plan violates its constitutional rights; the commission’s position is that Kalshi’s sports contracts fall under Ohio gambling law, which Kalshi disputes.