Gubernatorial Candidates Support iGaming in Ohio

Two of Ohio’s three candidates for governor have taken a strong stance regarding iGaming in Ohio — but the favorite has yet to weigh in on the issue.

Democratic nominee Amy Acton responded to questions from the Cleveland Plain Dealer, announcing her support for bringing iGaming to the Buckeye State. Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy did not respond to the questions, giving Acton a potential opening in one of the country’s tightest gubernatorial races.

The third candidate, libertarian Don Kissick, also took a favorable stance on iGaming in Ohio. However, he is not expected to be competitive in the November election.

Acton’s stance would represent a departure from outgoing governor Mike DeWine. DeWine has looked to roll back gambling in Ohio, despite being the one to sign House Bill 29 in 2022. Acton rejected DeWine’s idea of banning prop bets, something the governor has softened on after getting help from Major League Baseball on microbetting.

Is There a Bill Regarding iGaming in Ohio?

The last legislative session introduced House Bill 298, sponsored by Reps. Brian Stewart (R-Columbus) and Marilyn John (R-Shelby). That bill never advanced out of committee, in part because DeWine wouldn’t have considered it.

If Acton wins the governor’s race, efforts to enact HB 298 will likely resume in earnest. Three of Ohio’s neighbors — Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia — already permit iGaming in their states. A fourth, Indiana, is reportedly a target of iGaming advocates in the next legislative cycle.

Given the location of Ohio’s cities, this is a question the Buckeye State must answer. Residents of the Cleveland, Toledo and Youngstown metro areas sit within 75 miles of the state line, making it easy for them to exit Ohio and engage in iGaming in a neighboring state.

What is Vivek Ramaswamy’s Stance on Gambling in Ohio?

Ramaswamy has not taken any public stance on iGaming in Ohio. Unlike most politicians, Ramaswamy has never held elected office before. That means he hasn’t had to take a position on many issues, and on this one, he hasn’t.

For her part, Acton does have some caveats regarding her positions. She would push to ban advertising to anyone under 21, as well as advertising language of “risk-free bets”. She would also maintain DeWine’s stance against microbetting and push for a ban of the practice.

Kissick suggested Ohio should increase the funding it offers to help those struggling with a gambling addiction. Currently, Ohio spends 2% of the revenue it takes from legal betting on addressing problem gambling. If iGaming in Ohio becomes legal, the state would likely have much more resources to use

What Should Observers Watch For?

It’s not clear if Acton plans to use Ramaswamy’s lack of a position against him. Ohio was recently moved to “toss-up” by the Cook Political Report, meaning the race is so close anything could sway it.

If Acton starts to use iGaming in Ohio in her advertisements, or if Ramaswamy takes a position on the issue, that’s a sign that it will play a role in the race. If not, it likely won’t come up again until the Ohio legislature returns. That will happen on Jan. 4, 2027.