Ohio bill proposes to legalise online gambling and ban sweepstakes

House Bill 298 has been submitted to the state’s General Assembly.

US.- Representative. Brian Stewart has introduced House Bill 298  in the state’s General Assembly in a bid to legalise and tax online gambling in the state. the bill would also ban online sweepstakes games.

Under the proposed law, internet gambling would only be permitted through licensed operators, and only casino operators and racing permit holders would be eligible for an operator licence, with each being permitted to run just one online platform. The Ohio Casino Control Commission (CAC) would be responsible for overseeing all activities, which could go live by March 31, 2026.

Five-year licences would cost $50m with a renewal fee of $10m. Three-year supplier licences would cost $100,000, with an application fee of $50,000. The tax rate for operators would be 28 per cent of earnings, with 99 per cent going to the state’s General Revenue Fund and 1 per cent to the Problem Gambling Fund.

The draft bill stipulates that users would have to be at least 21 years old and physically present within the state’s borders, as verified by geolocation technology. Before obtaining a licence, operators would undergo background checks and meet suitability requirements. There would be a mandatory voluntary exclusion programme and it would be illegal to offer promotional gambling credits, except for in-person gaming, and to accept payment by credit card.

As for the sweepstake ban, the legislation defines these as “any game, contest, advertising scheme or plan, or other promotion where consideration is not required for a person to enter to win or become eligible to receive any prize, the determination of which is based upon chance.”

Legislation to ban sweepstakes bans is being considered in several states, including S5935 in New York and HB953 and S1404 in Florida.

https://focusgn.com/ohio-bill-proposes-to-legalise-online-gambling-and-ban-swepstakes