Ohio Senator Has Two Months to Pass Proposed Online Casino Bill

The Ohio gambling market could soon gain another arm if a legislative proposal to greenlight online casinos receives the necessary approval.

Sen. Niraj Antani (R-Miamisburg) is sponsoring SB 312, which would legalize online casino games in Ohio. The bill calls for a 15 percent tax, five percent lower than what online sports betting operators are charged, on online gross gaming revenue.

The measure was first presented in September but has a tight window before it will disappear from Congress.

Moving with haste

Antani, the first Indian-American Senator in Ohio state history, said that iGaming is the next logical step in the progression of the state’s gambling history.

However, the youngest serving member of the Senate, who was elected to the Senate at 29 and as a Representative at 23 years old, has a fast-approaching timeline for his bill. Antani is not seeking reelection in the Senate, which means that lawmakers have two months until the end of a lame-duck session to pass the bill.

A lame-duck session occurs when the Senate meets after a November election and before the new Congressional session begins, in this case, on Jan. 3, 2025.

“As gaming has evolved in our state and we’ve seen massive success with sports betting, it’s now time to legalize iGaming in Ohio,” Antani said when he introduced the bill. “Many Ohioans don’t have close access to a casino or racino, but should be able to participate in this entertainment option.”

There are only eight states with legal iGaming markets. Two of those are Ohio’s neighbors, Michigan and Pennsylvania, both of which have received positive tax benefits from their respective markets.

Looking for support

Legislative sessions will resume on Nov. 13, which is the earliest that Antani will be able to recenter Congress’ focus on his iGaming proposal.

If approved, online operators would pay a $100,000 application fee, a $250,000 one-time payment to a problem gambling fund, and a $300,000 licensing fee. Each license would stand for one year and cost more than $500,000 to renew. 

In addition to Pennsylvania and Michigan, online casinos are legal in:

• Connecticut
• Delaware
• New Jersey
• Rhode Island
• West Virginia

Despite Antani’s hopes, there are no tangible signs of real internal support. The bill has not been assigned to a committee and does not have co-sponsors. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, who is in office until Jan. 11, 2027, also opposes gambling.

Three Ohio Republicans in July shared cautious support for online casinos and a digital lottery.

Antani lost in the Republican primary to represent Ohio’s 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House on March 19, 2024.