Bill to Ban Mobile Sports Betting in Ohio Gets Numbered

Mobile sports betting in Ohio is by far the most popular way for bettors to participate. But if two Ohio legislators have their way, it could be on the way out.

Rep. Jonathan Newman (R-Troy) and Rep. Beth Lear (R-Galena) have introduced House Bill 971, known as the Save Ohio Sports Act. If passed, the bill would end mobile sports betting in Ohio, restricting it to in-person wagering at brick-and-mortar casinos.

That could limit Ohio sports betting to just four locations: Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus and Toledo. Although those are the Buckeye State’s four largest cities, it would still make it far less convenient for bettors in the state to place wagers.

Of course, that’s the main point of the bill. In addition to banning mobile sports betting in Ohio, it would also restrict types of bets. Parlays, prop plays and live bets would be banned; only single-game wagers would be allowed. Additionally, a $100 cap on bets would be instituted, and bettors would be limited to eight wagers per day.

How Likely Is a Ban on Mobile Sports Betting in Ohio?

HB 971 would face several hurdles to get anywhere. First, the Ohio legislature is operating on a clock. Unlike other states, Ohio’s legislative calendar runs all year long. But any bills that haven’t been approved at the end of an even year are deemed dead, and they’d have to start all over.

That leaves just under five months to get HB 971 through the Ohio legislature and to Gov. Mike DeWine’s desk. That’s not an impossible timeline, but the Ohio General Assembly is far from united on this issue. Specifically, multiple leaders in the General Assembly have expressed hesitation or even hostility to HB 971’s positions.

Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman (R-Lima) has said he doesn’t think legislation is the right way to rein in mobile sports betting in Ohio. As long as the sports leagues and sportsbooks are policing themselves, Huffman doesn’t want to get the legislature involved.

Rep. Brian Stewart (R-Circleville), the Ohio House Finance Committee Chair, went even further. Stewart has vowed to stop any legislation that bans prop bets, calling them a “significant” part of betting in Ohio.

Has Any State Attempted to Roll Back Sports Betting?

In 2025, senators in Maryland proposed legislation to restrict mobile sports betting in that state. That bill died in committee, and sportsbooks and iGaming supporters spent money on advertising to protect political allies while ousting betting foes.

DeWine has said that he regrets signing Ohio’s sports betting bill into law. Mobile sports betting in Ohio has been available since 2023, and the state just passed $1 billion in sports betting revenue for the year in 2025.

Ohio carries a 20% tax on sports betting revenue. Most of that comes from mobile sports betting, which means a ban or restriction could mean far less tax money for Ohio. There’s also the presence of prediction markets, which don’t pay any tax to Ohio at all. If mobile sports betting in Ohio isn’t available, bettors could shift to prediction markets, depriving Ohio of any tax revenue.

What’s Next for the Bill?

The bill will head to committee, where advancement isn’t seen as likely. If the bill makes it through the Ohio House, bettors in the state would have a real concern. But with House and Senate leaders not inclined to support HB 971, it doesn’t appear likely to become law.