Ohio state senator Louis Blessing introduced a bill proposing a 2% tax on sports betting handle, in addition to the existing 20% tax on adjusted gaming revenue. The proposal would direct the proceeds to publicly owned professional sports facilities and interscholastic athletics if approved.
Operators could face a new tax calculated on betting handle as well as the existing tax on adjusted gaming revenue.
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Ohio state Senator Bill DeMora is considering legislation to expand access to sports broadcasts and has criticised proposed changes to the state’s sports-betting rules. The proposals include limits on wager types and spending, ending mobile betting, and an additional tax on total betting volume; DeMora said the tax could double operators’ current burden.
Ohio sports betting handle reportedly reached $658.9 million in June, up 12% year on year. The report said retail wagering fell.
Ohio’s regulated sports betting market recorded $800.1m in handle in April, reportedly. The figure was down 1% from the comparison period, while revenue grew.
Ohio recorded more than $10bn in sports betting handle in 2025, according to a market tracker. It lists $23,434,549,059 in lifetime handle and names September 2025 as the latest reported month.
Ohio Representative Brian Stewart introduced House Bill 298 to legalise online casinos in the state, reportedly. The proposal sets a 28% tax on gross gaming revenue, bars operators without an Ohio retail presence and would prohibit certain dual-currency sweepstakes casinos. It requires a $50 million initial licence fee and a $10 million renewal fee.