Ohio lawmakers are considering legislation that would significantly reshape the state’s sports wagering market, including a ban on online sports betting. House Bill 971, introduced by Republican Representatives Johnathan Newman and Beth Lear, would move sports wagering to an exclusively retail model while also restricting several popular betting formats.
The proposal represents one of the most aggressive attempts by a U.S. state to roll back a regulated online sports betting market after legalization. Ohio launched legal sports betting in January 2023, and online operators have since become the dominant channel for wagering activity.
If enacted, the bill would prohibit online sportsbooks and require all legal sports betting to take place at physical retail locations. The legislation also seeks to ban betting on college sports, parlays, player prop wagers, and live in-game betting markets.
Those restrictions would affect some of the most commonly used betting products in the industry. In particular, live betting and parlays have become major drivers of wagering volume across regulated U.S. markets, while college sports betting remains popular in states with prominent collegiate programs.
Supporters of the bill argue that tighter restrictions are necessary to reduce gambling-related harms. Lawmakers backing the measure have framed the legislation as a consumer protection effort aimed at limiting exposure to potentially addictive gambling products.
The bill includes several additional safeguards beyond the proposed online betting ban. Bettors would be limited to a maximum wager of $100 per individual bet and no more than eight wagers within a 24-hour period. The legislation would also prevent customers from funding betting accounts with credit cards or borrowed money. Advertising and promotional restrictions are included as well.
The proposal arrives amid an ongoing debate over the role of sports betting in Ohio. The state has already taken steps to restrict certain betting products, including college player prop wagers, which were prohibited following broader concerns raised by the NCAA.
Governor Mike DeWine has also expressed reservations about sports betting in recent months. According to the report, DeWine has publicly criticized player prop markets and stated that he regrets signing sports betting legislation into law.
While the governor’s position may influence public discussion, the bill still faces a lengthy legislative process before any changes could become law. The measure has not yet been assigned to a House committee and would require approval from both legislative chambers before reaching the governor’s desk.
A key question surrounding the proposal is its effect on state tax revenue. Ohio’s regulated sports betting industry generated more than $1 billion in operator revenue in 2025, resulting in nearly $210 million in tax proceeds for the state. During the first five months of 2026 alone, sports betting generated almost $90 million in tax revenue.
Those figures highlight the financial significance of sports wagering to Ohio’s budget. At the same time, legislative supporters argue that revenue generation should not outweigh concerns about consumer protection and gambling-related risks.
With online sportsbooks accounting for nearly all wagering activity in the state, the fate of House Bill 971 could have far-reaching implications for operators, bettors, and state finances alike. As lawmakers continue to debate the proposal, Ohio could become a closely watched example of whether a mature sports betting market can move in a more restrictive direction after legalization.
