COLUMBUS— The Ohio Senate approved the final changes to a comprehensive sports gaming bill. Substitute House Bill 29 establishes the regulatory framework for on-line and in store sports betting.

The bill covers three distinct gaming levels, each lasting for five years:

• Type A, the mobile app license


• Type B, brick and mortar operators


• Type C, kiosks and certain lottery retail agents, includes certain businesses that hold a specific liquor permit

The Ohio Casino Control Commission will be the main regulatory agency overseeing the program, with the Ohio Lottery Commission having a role with kiosks operating in a lottery retail space.

“This is much more than a sports gaming bill, it’s an economic development bill that addresses an issue already happening,” said Senator Kirk Schuring (R-Canton), whose knowledge and expertise secured the agreement. “This will make it legal, and generate not only business development but revenue for the state.”

Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima) praised the effort which originally started in the Senate with a select committee that studied sports gaming.

“This was a hard fought, complex effort to make sure this opportunity was accessible across multiple platforms, and not exclusive to a single set of wealthy operators,” said Huffman.

Senator Nathan Manning (R-North Ridgeville), who sponsored the initial bill in the Senate said, "This is a win for taxpayers, not a gamble. This will be a secure, professional, and reliable process, overseen with the expertise of the Casino Control Commission."  

The program will launch no later than January 1, 2023.