Gov. DeWine Balks at Ohio’s Online Casino Plans Over Addiction Fears
Mike DeWine’s got his guard up about online casinos in Ohio, and it’s stirring up talk as two bills try to bring iGaming to the state.
A Governor’s Red Flag
Ohio’s legislature is chewing over two bills, SB 197 and HB 298, that would legalize online casino games. Governor Mike DeWine, though, isn’t sold. He’s worried about a flood of gambling addiction if iGaming gets the green light. “Anybody who’s got an iPhone could basically have a casino there,” he said. “And the potential for addiction is just massive.”
For DeWine, this isn’t just a small step up in gambling. It’s handing a 24/7 casino to everyone, including 16-, 18-, and 19-year-olds, ready to play at 2 a.m.
DeWine’s stance has folks scratching their heads, especially since he signed off on mobile sports betting a couple of years back. The “Today in Ohio” podcast crew called it out, asking why he’s fine with sports bets on phones but frets over iGaming. They’ve seen teens get hooked on betting apps, so what’s the difference?
DeWine argues iGaming’s constant access, slots spinning anytime, anywhere, makes it a bigger risk than picking game winners. “This literally puts it in anybody’s hands,” he said.
Politics in the Mix
The timing of DeWine’s concerns raises eyebrows. He’s been pushing to double the sports betting tax from 20% to 40%, wanting the extra cash for sports stadiums and youth programs.
The legislature, which some say is cozy with betting companies, isn’t biting. Instead, they’re floating iGaming as a way to rake in revenue without hiking taxes.
One commentator quipped the legislature “seems bought and paid for by the sports betting industry.” This makes DeWine’s sudden iGaming worries look like a chess move, maybe less about addiction and more about budget battles.
DeWine hasn’t said he’d veto an iGaming bill if it lands on his desk. He’s vocal about the risks, but he’s keeping his cards close. House Speaker Matt Huffman shares some of DeWine’s unease, noting, “You can sit on your back patio and lose all your money.”
Still, Huffman calls himself a “realist” on regulation, hinting the legislature might find a middle ground.
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