Sports Betting Update in Ohio
Ohio Contemplates Imposing Tax on Sports Wagers' Gross Revenue for Operators
Get the latest scoop on the sports betting landscape in Ohio! As a dedicated enthusiast of the US online casino industry, Michael Savio shares insights you won't find elsewhere. Drawing from his time immersed in the retail industry during his Las Vegas stint and continuing through the online boom, Michael brings you content on everything from online casino reviews to industry news, making him a go-to source in the know. To catch up on Michael's latest pieces, head over to casinos.com! 🎟️
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In the limelight:
Ohio's Proposed Sports Betting Tax and Its Impact🤑
Ohio's Senate Bill 199 (SB 199) seeks to establish a 2% privilege tax on sportsbook handles. This tax is applied to the total worth of all bets accepted by licensed sportsbooks in the state. The bill's enactment could potentially generate around $180 million annually based on Ohio's $8.9 billion sports betting handle in 2024[1][5] 💰
However, efforts to double the existing sports betting tax rate, as part of the 2025 budget, didn't pan out. Governor Mike DeWine proposed a doubling of the tax to fund stadium improvements across the state. Yet, the proposal was shot down by the Ohio House in April 2025[1][2].
Instead, the House opted for a $600 million bond issue earmarked for the Cleveland Browns’ new stadium in Brook Park. The rejection of the tax increase was mainly due to legislative reservations and competing budget priorities[1][2]. This decision mirrors concerns about the impact of steep tax hikes on the competitiveness of the legal betting market and the potential attractiveness of illegal platforms[2]. 🚫
Keep an eye on these developments in Ohio's sports betting landscape! 📣📈
[1] https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-ravens-ohio-sports-betting-20250427-ktvgs3gye5f6njg4y54avjx7w6-story.html[2] https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/sports-betting-laws-state-by-state-1173409/[3] https://www.cleveland.com/cleveland-browns/2025/04/ohio-legislature-rejects-governor-mike-dewines-plan-to-double-tax-on-sports-betting.html[4] https://www.budget.ohio.gov/docs/default-source/2025---2026-biennial-operating-budget/wo48_1q-approved-final-biennial-operating-budget.pdf[5] https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-ravens-ohio-sports-betting-20250427-ktvgs3gye5f6njg4y54avjx7w6-story.html
- In his latest article, Michael Savio sheds light on the proposed sports betting tax in Ohio, suggesting a 2% privilege tax on sportsbook handles, potentially generating $180 million annually, as outlined in Senate Bill 199.
- Despite Governor Mike DeWine's push to double the sports betting tax rate for stadium improvements, the Ohio House rejected the proposal in April 2025, opting instead for a $600 million bond issue for the Cleveland Browns’ new stadium in Brook Park.
- Michael Savio, an expert in the online casino industry, notes the rejection's implications for the legal betting market's competitiveness and the potential attractiveness of illegal platforms, highlighting this development in Ohio's sports-betting landscape.
