Ohio lawmakers introduce landmark bill to repeal online sports betting
HB 971, known as the Save Ohio Sports Act (SOSA), If passed, it would make the Buckeye State the first to undo its mobile market.
Some Ohio lawmakers believe drastic changes are needed for the state’s sports betting market.
State Representatives Beth Lear and Johnathan Newman introduced HB 971, known as the Save Ohio Sports Act (SOSA), into the House this week. The bill proposes several new bans, including one on online betting. It was announced back in the spring, giving lawmakers time to consider the massive implications the proposal would bring.
If passed, it would make the Buckeye State the first to undo its mobile market.
Online Betting Drives Revenue
The biggest hurdle the SOSA will have to clear involves the massive impact on tax revenue.
Bettors across the US use mobile sportsbooks to place wagers, and Ohio is no exception. In 2025, the Ohio Casino Control Commission reported online betting generated over $1 billion in revenue. By comparison, retail betting came in at just over $14 million.
That means the overwhelming majority of the $200 million in tax revenue generated came from online sportsbooks. As a result, a ban would cost Ohio hundreds of millions annually.
Ohio Sports Betting Tied to Education
In Ohio, tax revenue from sports betting helps fund public education. While small in comparison with the state’s overall budget, the additional funding is helping school systems address crucial shortages.
SOSA sponsor Rep. Newman believes tying education to gambling was a massive mistake. In a press release announcing the bill, he argues the state is using a good cause to justify the damage being done to public health.
Monetizing addiction to fund public education is the wrong direction for Ohio. Who wins when predatory gambling preys on the vulnerable? It’s not our schools; that’s for sure! It’s the trillion-dollar big gambling companies who win. How is this good for Ohio?
SOSA Proposes Additional Restrictions
While banning mobile sports betting is drastic, it isn’t the only significant change HB 971 proposes.
If passed, the bill would also ban the following:
- Ads during sporting events
- All player prop bets
- Betting on college sports
- Live Betting
- Lottery sports betting kiosks
- Parlays
Ohio did ban player prop bets involving college athletes back in February 2024, but decided against doing so for pro sports.
https://www.casino.com/news/responsible-gambling/save-ohio-sports-act-proposes-to-ban-online-betting-market/