A significant legislative move is underway in Ohio as several Republican House members have introduced House Bill 971, dubbed the "Save Ohio Sports Act." This proposal aims to fundamentally alter Ohio's gaming landscape by banning online sports betting altogether.
Rep. Jonathan Newman, a co-sponsor of the bill, expressed concerns regarding the implications of online gambling on vulnerable populations. He stated, "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?"
While the bill seeks to eliminate online wagering, it allows for in-person sports betting, which remains legal at licensed casinos.
In addition to the online ban, HB 971 outlines several restrictions, including:
– A statewide prohibition on props and live betting markets.
– Only single-game bets will be permitted, with no parlay options allowed.
– A maximum bet limit of $100 per wager.
– Bettors are restricted to a maximum of eight bets within a 24-hour timeframe.
– Wagering on college sports or events is completely prohibited.
The measure also introduces new advertising regulations for gaming operators, stipulating that gambling advertisements cannot be shown during collegiate sporting events or on broadcasts of live sports.
Additionally, the bill seeks to ban credit card usage for funding gambling accounts, aligning with policies already adopted by major operators like DraftKings and FanDuel. Earlier this year, the Ohio Casino Control Commission proposed an amendment to prevent credit card use for sportsbook accounts, restricting funding to ACH transfers, promo credits, winnings, and wire transfers. Any rule changes will require approval from Ohio’s Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review, which includes public hearings as part of the process.
Support for the repeal could come from Gov. Mike DeWine, who has publicly expressed regret over the legalization of sports betting in Ohio in 2021. In a November 2025 interview with the Associated Press, DeWine stated, "Ohio shouldn’t have done it," following accusations against Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz for their alleged involvement in pitch manipulation to gain gambling profits. He reiterated his stance in January, emphasizing the need to eliminate prop bets as part of his broader concerns regarding sports betting.
Although House Bill 971 has been presented, it has yet to be assigned to a committee for further discussion and voting. If the bill passes, Ohio would become the first state to reverse online sports betting legislation since the repeal of PASPA.
Maryland previously considered similar legislation in 2025 with Senate Bill 1033, which aimed to repeal online betting while maintaining retail sportsbooks. This bill was introduced amid a decline in retail sports wagering following the launch of online sportsbooks in November 2022. However, SB 1033 did not advance past its initial Senate reading.
