Ohio lawmakers just dropped a bombshell on the state’s sports betting market. On April 9, 2026, three Republican state representatives introduced the “Save Ohio Sports Act.” If it passes, this bill would ban mobile sports betting in Ohio. That means no more betting from your phone. You’d have to go to a casino to place a wager.
I’ll be honest — this caught me off guard. Ohio legalized sports betting just three years ago. Now some lawmakers want to roll back one of the most popular features. Let me break down what’s happening, what’s in these bills, and what it means for you if you bet on sports in Ohio.
Ohio isn’t the only state considering major changes; see the latest Wisconsin sports betting bill update for comparison
What Is the Save Ohio Sports Act?
The Save Ohio Sports Act is actually two bills introduced by Ohio state Reps. Riordan McClain (R-Upper Sandusky), Gary Click (R-Vickery), and Johnathan Newman (R-Troy). One bill focuses on consumer protections. The other targets sports integrity.
Together, these bills would make some of the biggest changes to Ohio’s sports betting rules since the state went live in January 2023.
The lawmakers say gambling is as addictive as illegal drugs. They pointed to mental health data showing that gambling addiction has the highest suicide rate among all addictive behaviors.
“This is Narcan,” said Dr. Chris Tuell from the Lindner Center of Hope, holding up the nasal spray at the press conference. “We don’t have a spray for problem gambling. We don’t have a pill for problem gambling.”
What Would the Consumer Protection Bill Do?
The consumer protection bill targets how, where, and how much Ohioans can bet. Here are the key changes:
- Ban mobile betting — All sports bets would need to be placed in person at Ohio’s casinos. No more betting from your phone or computer.
- Cap wager amounts — Bettors would be limited to $100 per wager.
- Limit betting frequency — You’d only be allowed to place eight bets in a 24-hour period.
- Ban credit card betting — No using credit cards or other forms of debt to place wagers.
- Restrict advertising — Sportsbooks would face new rules on where and when they can run ads.
- Ban financial incentives — No more sign-up bonuses, free bets, or promotional offers to attract new bettors.
Rep. Newman described Ohio’s current sports betting landscape as a freeway “with no lines on it, no speed limits on it, no off ramps.” He says the bills would add some guardrails.
What Would the Sports Integrity Bill Do?
The sports integrity bill goes after specific types of bets. Here’s what it would ban:
- In-game betting — No live bets while a game is in progress.
- College sports betting — All wagers on college games would be banned. Governor DeWine already banned prop bets on college sports by executive order, but this would go further.
- Prop bets — Wagers based on individual player stats, like how many touchdowns a quarterback throws or how many strikeouts a pitcher records, would be gone.
- Parlay bets — Those multi-leg bets where you combine several wagers into one ticket would be banned. Parlays offer big payouts but the odds are heavily stacked against bettors.
Rep. Newman raised concerns about game manipulation. “Do we really want the rest of our lives to be watching every bad call from a ref going, who’s in his ear?” he asked.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Ohio Right Now?
Yes. Sports betting is fully legal in Ohio right now. The state launched online and retail sports betting on January 1, 2023.
Ohio has one of the most open sports betting markets in the country. You can bet online through apps, at retail sportsbooks in casinos, and even at sports betting kiosks in bars and restaurants.
In 2025, Ohio collected $209.1 million in tax revenue from sports betting. That money goes mainly to schools, with some set aside to fight problem gambling.
Popular legal sportsbooks in Ohio include FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, and several others. Ohio residents can also use offshore sites like Bovada, BetUS, MyBookie, and BetOnline for additional options and casino games.
Does This Bill Have a Chance of Passing?
Here’s the good news for Ohio bettors: this bill faces a steep uphill climb.
The law that made sports betting legal in Ohio passed with overwhelming support in 2021. Lawmakers from both parties voted for it. Rolling that back would be a dramatic reversal.
Rep. McClain admitted that “the initial response certainly is mixed, but there is support for this.” That’s political speak for “we don’t have the votes yet.”
There are a few things working against the bill:
- Tax revenue — Ohio made over $209 million from sports betting in 2025. That’s a lot of money for schools and public programs.
- Industry lobbying — The sports betting industry will push hard against these restrictions. Companies like FanDuel and DraftKings have billions at stake.
- Public opinion — Most Ohio residents support legal sports betting. Banning mobile betting would be unpopular.
- Economic impact — Thousands of jobs are tied to the sports betting industry in Ohio.
However, the sponsors have the backing of groups like the Center for Christian Virtue and mental health organizations. They also note that Ohio GOP lawmakers blocked an online casino expansion effort in 2025, which shows some appetite for gambling restrictions.
How Does Ohio Compare to Other States?
Ohio’s proposed restrictions would be the most extreme rollback of any state that has legalized sports betting. No other state has banned mobile betting after launching it.
Here’s how Ohio’s neighbors handle things:
- Pennsylvania has full online and retail sports betting with no bet caps.
- Indiana has online and retail sports betting with minimal restrictions.
- Michigan has online sports betting plus iGaming (online casino games).
- West Virginia has online and retail sports betting.
- Kentucky launched online sports betting in 2023.
If Ohio bans mobile betting, it would become an outlier in a region where every surrounding state allows it. Bettors would simply cross state lines or use offshore sportsbooks.
What Does This Mean for Ohio Bettors?
If you bet on sports in Ohio, don’t panic. These bills are a long way from becoming law. They haven’t even been formally filed yet — the sponsors said the “legislative language is still getting hammered out.”
But it’s worth paying attention to. Here’s what could happen:
Best case for bettors: The bills die in committee without a vote. This is the most likely outcome.
Middle ground: Some watered-down version passes with minor restrictions, like limits on advertising or tighter rules on prop bets for college sports.
Worst case for bettors: The full bill passes and mobile betting gets banned. This would push Ohio bettors to offshore sites or neighboring states.
Even if the worst happens, you’d still have options. Offshore sportsbooks like Bovada, BetUS, MyBookie, BetOnline, TheOnlineCasino, BetNow, and Everygame don’t follow state-level restrictions. They accept Ohio residents and offer fast crypto payouts with no hassle.
What Should You Watch Next?
Here are the key things to track:
- Bill introduction — The formal bill text hasn’t been filed yet. Watch for actual bill numbers in the coming weeks.
- Committee assignments — Which committee gets these bills matters. A friendly committee chair could fast-track them or bury them.
- Governor DeWine’s stance — DeWine said he “regrets” signing sports betting into law. That’s significant. But he hasn’t officially backed these specific bills.
- Industry response — Expect major pushback from sportsbook operators, sports teams, and casino companies.
- Ohio Casino Control Commission data — Wagering was down $65.7 million in January-February 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. If betting revenue keeps dropping, lawmakers may lose motivation to restrict it further.
Where Can Ohio Residents Bet Now?
Ohio bettors have plenty of legal options right now:
Regulated sportsbooks: FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, Bet365, and others are all live in Ohio.
Offshore options: For those who want more flexibility, Bovada, BetUS, MyBookie, BetOnline, TheOnlineCasino, BetNow, and Everygame offer sports betting plus online casino games. Many of these sites accept crypto and offer fast withdrawals.
Retail locations: Ohio has sportsbooks inside casinos and betting kiosks at many bars and restaurants across the state.
No matter what happens with the Save Ohio Sports Act, options will be available. But I’d rather see Ohio keep its current system than go backwards.
Responsible Gambling
Whether you bet online or in person, it’s important to gamble responsibly. Set limits. Don’t chase losses. And if betting stops being fun, take a break.
If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Council on Problem Gambling hotline at 1-800-522-4700. It’s free, confidential, and available 24/7.
Check out our responsible gambling guide for more resources.
The Save Ohio Sports Act is a bold proposal, but it’s far from a done deal. I’ll keep watching this closely and update you as things develop.
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