A group of Ohio Republican lawmakers has introduced sweeping legislation that would eliminate online sports betting in the state and significantly restructure Ohio’s regulated gambling market.
House Bill 971also known as “Save Ohio Sports Act,” introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives by Representatives Johnathan Newman and Beth Lear. The proposal represents one of the most aggressive efforts to reverse elements of the state’s recently expanded sports betting system.
If implemented, The bill would limit legal sports betting to live betting only at licensed retail casino locations, effectively ending mobile and online sportsbooks throughout Ohio.
Online Betting Will Be Eliminated Under Proposal
The most significant provision of HB 971 is the elimination of online sports betting access across the state. Under the proposal, mobile sportsbooks would be geofenced to physical casino properties, forcing bettors to place bets only in person.
Retail betting will remain legal, but the online platforms that currently dominate the market will close.
Lawmakers who support the bill argue that the current system has evolved too quickly and carries social risks.
“Monetizing addiction to fund public education is the wrong direction for Ohio,” said Representative Jonathan Newmanas reported by SBC Americas, citing The Ohio House of Representatives. "Who wins when gambling preys on the vulnerable? Not our schools; that’s for sure! It’s the trillion-dollar mega-gambling companies who win. What’s in it for Ohio?”
Extensive Restrictions on Betting Types and Market Access
In addition to banning online betting, the law also introduces broad restrictions on the types of betting allowed in Ohio.
The bill would eliminate all in-game and live betting markets, player prop bets, parlay bets, and all college sports betting. Only single match bets remain valid under the proposal, marking a substantial reduction in available betting options compared to the current market structure.
The bill also limits betting activity at the individual level, limiting customers to a maximum $100 per bet and no more than eight bets in any 24 hour period.
HB 971 also introduces new advertising rules designed to limit the visibility of gambling promotions. Sportsbooks are prohibited from advertising inside college sports venues or broadcasting advertising during live sporting events.
The proposal also includes a ban on credit card funding for sports betting accounts. Bettors will be asked to use alternative funding methods such as bank transfer or winnings.
Lawmakers say these restrictions are intended to reduce exposure to gambling marketing and strengthen consumer protections, particularly for younger audiences.
Supporters of the bill argue that the ill effects of gambling have increased with the spread of online gambling. Some lawmakers have linked sports betting to broader problems of addiction and social impact.
Representative Beth Lear said the bill aims to reduce these risks and protect vulnerable groups, especially young people who are exposed to gambling advertising.
“Gambling is the No. 1 addiction that causes suicide,” Lear said. "Online gambling companies are in an aggressive pay-to-play game with the Ohio Legislature, hoping to expand their profits by supporting Ohioans with the ‘carrot’ of providing additional tax dollars to the government. This law makes it clear: our children, their physical and mental well-being, are not for sale.”
Economic Impact of Existing Sports Betting Markets
Ohio’s current sports betting system, which launched in 2023, has generated significant revenue for the state. Online betting accounted for the majority of activity, representing more than 98% of total betting in the last reporting period.
The sports betting tax has generated hundreds of millions of dollars since it was passed, including more than $200 million in operator revenue taxes in 2025 alone. In comparison, retail betting accounts for only a small portion of total tax revenue.
If passed, Ohio would be the first US state to completely repeal online sports betting since the reversal of federal PASPA opened the door to state-level legalization.
HB 971 has been introduced but has not yet been assigned to a House committee for discussion or amendment. The bill still has to pass both chambers of the legislature before reaching the governor’s desk.
Governor Mike DeWine has previously expressed skepticism towards legalizing sports betting, and has called it out his "biggest regret” indicating potential political openness to tighter restrictions.
For now, the proposal sets the stage for a major policy debate regarding the future of gambling regulations in Ohio, with lawmakers split between concerns for public health and the financial benefits generated by the current system.
