Ohio Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Restrict Sports Betting to Retail Locations
In July 2026 Ohio lawmakers introduced legislation designed to eliminate online sports betting while maintaining retail sportsbooks at physical locations across the state, and the measure includes multiple restrictions that would reshape how wagering operates if enacted.
The proposed bill targets online platforms by banning several popular features including parlays, prop bets, live betting, and college wagering, while it also caps individual bets at $100 and introduces new limits on advertising along with payment processing methods that support digital accounts.
Key Provisions in the Legislation
Lawmakers structured the bill to preserve brick-and-mortar sportsbooks that operate inside casinos and racetracks, yet the same text removes authorization for mobile or internet-based betting services that currently function in the state, and this distinction creates a clear separation between in-person and remote options. Retail locations would continue to accept wagers on professional and college events under existing rules, whereas online operators would face a complete prohibition on their current business model.
Additional clauses address advertising practices by requiring stricter disclosures and geographic targeting rules for any promotions tied to sports wagering, and the legislation further restricts payment processors from facilitating transfers specifically marked for betting accounts when those accounts originate from out-of-state servers. Observers note that these payment restrictions aim to limit the reach of digital wallets and bank transfers that have supported online activity up to this point.
Impact on Current Operators and Bettors
Existing retail sportsbooks in Ohio would see their market position strengthened under the bill since online competitors would exit the space, and this shift would concentrate wagering activity at physical counters where staff can enforce the $100 per-bet limit directly. Bettors who previously used mobile apps for parlays or live in-game wagers would lose those options entirely, forcing any continued participation to occur only at approved retail sites during operating hours.
Industry data from the American Gaming Association shows that retail sportsbooks in states with hybrid models often handle smaller average bet sizes compared with online platforms, and the proposed cap aligns with that pattern while extending it uniformly across all remaining outlets. Payment processors referenced in the bill language would need to update compliance systems to flag and block certain transaction types, which could affect how funds move between bank accounts and casino cages.
Those who study regulatory changes across multiple jurisdictions have observed similar patterns where states adjust online access while protecting established land-based venues, and the Ohio proposal follows that approach without introducing new taxes or licensing fees at this stage.
Background on Ohio Sports Betting Framework
Ohio legalized sports betting through legislation passed in 2021 that allowed both retail and online channels under oversight from the Ohio Casino Control Commission, and since that time multiple operators have launched digital products that include the features now targeted for removal. The new bill would amend that original framework by revoking online licenses while leaving retail authorizations intact, creating a narrower operating environment than what currently exists.
Legislative records indicate the measure was referred to committee shortly after introduction in July 2026, which begins the review process that includes public hearings and potential amendments before any floor vote occurs. Stakeholders from both retail and online sectors have already submitted comments outlining how the changes would affect their operations and customer bases.
Regulatory Comparisons and Enforcement Considerations
Similar restrictions appear in other states that chose to limit sports wagering to physical locations only, and Ohio lawmakers referenced those models during early discussions around the bill text. Enforcement would rely on the existing commission staff to monitor compliance at retail sites and to coordinate with financial regulators on payment blocking requirements, while online operators would need to cease all Ohio-directed marketing and account services.
Payment restrictions in the legislation mirror approaches used in jurisdictions such as those overseen by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, where digital transfers face targeted controls to prevent unauthorized wagering activity, and this cross-border reference appears in supporting materials distributed with the Ohio proposal.
Conclusion
The legislation remains in the early stages of the Ohio lawmaking process, and its final form will depend on committee revisions and votes in both chambers before reaching the governor's desk. If passed in its current form the bill would mark a significant contraction of available betting channels while preserving the retail segment that has operated since 2021, and affected parties continue to track developments through official legislative channels.