Ohio GOP Lawmakers Propose Strict Sports Betting Restrictions

Lawmakers aim to limit online gambling, wager amounts, and advertising to curb addiction and protect integrity of sports.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 9:11pm

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A visually striking, abstract painting featuring overlapping, fragmented shapes and lines in shades of blue, green, and red, conceptually representing the chaotic and fast-paced nature of the sports betting industry.As Ohio lawmakers seek to rein in the expansion of sports betting, the industry's rapid growth and addictive nature raise concerns about the societal costs.Sandusky Today

Three Ohio Republican state representatives are introducing legislation to place significant restrictions on the state's sports betting system. The proposed measures would ban online/mobile sports betting, limit wager amounts, prohibit the use of credit cards for betting, and restrict sports betting advertising. The lawmakers argue that gambling is highly addictive and threatens the integrity of sporting events.

Why it matters

Ohio legalized sports betting in 2021, but these Republican lawmakers believe the current system lacks proper safeguards. They are concerned about the mental health and financial impacts of widespread sports gambling, as well as the potential for corruption in sporting events due to increased betting activity.

The details

The proposed legislation would limit sports betting to Ohio's casinos, effectively banning online and mobile betting. It would also place restrictions on wager amounts, prohibit the use of credit cards for betting, and limit advertising by sports betting operators. The lawmakers argue that the easy accessibility of online betting, combined with the addictive nature of gambling, can lead to severe personal and financial consequences for many Ohioans.

  • Ohio legalized sports betting in 2021.
  • The new legislation is being introduced in April 2026.

The players

Rep. Riordan McClain

Ohio state representative from Upper Sandusky, one of the sponsors of the new sports betting restrictions.

Rep. Gary Click

Ohio state representative from Vickery, one of the sponsors of the new sports betting restrictions.

Rep. Johnathan Newman

Ohio state representative from Troy, one of the sponsors of the new sports betting restrictions.

Aaron Baer

President of the Center for Christian Virtue, an organization supporting the proposed sports betting restrictions.

Dr. Chris Tuell

Clinical Director of Addiction Services at Lindner Center of Hope, providing expert commentary on the addictive nature of gambling.

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What they’re saying

“The fact is that most betters do not win. That means roughly 95% of Ohioans who are betting make deposits, not withdrawals.”

— Rep. Riordan McClain, Ohio State Representative

“Is it really worth the taxes that we gain to risk people's lives, their mental health, their personal well-being, their families, their homes? I don't think it is.”

— Rep. Gary Click, Ohio State Representative

“Where they're like, hey, just come get a taste, right? And then, you'll see you like it, and then you'll come back for more and more.”

— Aaron Baer, President, Center for Christian Virtue

“Therefore, language that restricts sports betting only within casinos, rather than on a phone while sitting alone at night could prevent that.”

— Tony Coder, CEO, Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation

What’s next

The legislative language for the lawmakers' proposals is still being finalized, but they expect to file two bills: one focused on consumer protections and the other on sports integrity. The bills will then go through the legislative process in the Ohio General Assembly.

The takeaway

This legislation highlights the ongoing debate around the expansion of legalized sports betting and the need to balance economic benefits with concerns over addiction, mental health, and the integrity of sports. As more states legalize sports gambling, policymakers will continue to grapple with how to implement appropriate safeguards and consumer protections.