Ohio May Have to Delay Sportsbetting Bill

The state of Ohio may delay a sportsbetting bill that would legalize the activity within the Buckeye State, potentially keeping the legislation on the back burner until next year.

The state's General Assembly is working on two different bills related to sportsbetting. One is in the house (HB 194) and one is in the Senate (SB 111), and both would legalize sportsbetting within Ohio's borders. The House version would allow for up to as many as 1,000 sportsbooks in the state, with the Ohio Lottery Commission overseeing the regulation of the industry. The Senate's version would limit sportsbetting to 11 casinos and racinos.

Other disagreements stem from licensing fees and tax rates.

The inability to come to an agreement could potentially see the bill being delayed. There are a variety of other pressing concerns that take precedent over sportsbetting and could eat up legislative time. Ohio has a year-round legislative body, but if things can't come together in both houses, there's a good chance that Ohioans could be waiting until at least 2020 to get a wager in (legally).