The Ohio House Finance Committee has endorsed several proposed amendments to sports betting bill HB 194. The bill was introduced in the House chambers in April by Rep. Dave Greenspan and Rep. Brigid Kelly.
Among the latest changes is a clause allowing sports leagues to request the Ohio Lottery Commission to ban or restrict some types of wagers. In the event that this happens, the Commission will consider the request and decide if there is a reason to ban the specified wager or event. The clause further establishes that sports leagues can ask for a hearing to table more evidence in support of their demand if the Commission declines their initial request.
This proposal has drawn the attention of various stakeholders in the industry, including the head of government relations at William Hill US, Danielle Boyd. Testifying before the House Finance Committee on Tuesday, Boyd objected to giving third parties the power to restrict and impose limits on wagering operations.
In her argument, the executive said that imposing limits on betting options could create a bad experience for the fans and encourage them to bet with illegal operators.
Greenspan, on the other hand, was quick to say that the amendment was the most sensible way to address the concerns of some leagues like NCAA women’s volleyball and minor league baseball. The bill, however, does not give the leagues the infamous data mandate.
More Proposals
Besides allowing leagues to call for restrictions on some events or betting types, HB 194 has been modified to allow statewide mobile betting. The proposal further clarifies that online wagering will be available to bettors who are located within the state borders.
Various stakeholders have applauded the addition of mobile wagering language to the House sports betting bill. Among them is Dan Dodd of iDea Growth, who testified on behalf of the association during a Wednesday session.
Addressing the House Finance Committee, Dodd lauded Greenspan and Kelly’s efforts to legalize sports betting in the Buckeye State. However, Dodd asked legislators to consider the possibility of creating a free market for online operators.
The idea is that mobile operators should not be required to tether to existing gambling venues like casinos and racinos to obtain a sports gambling license. Alternatively, the state could allow brick-and-mortar venues to partner with at least three online operators for mobile wagering.
The other amendment is the inclusion of a clause that limits in-person wagering to casinos and racinos.
Following the two-day hearing, Greenspan said that he expects the House Finance Committee to advance HB 194 shortly and that the legislation could clear the House by the end of the month or early November.
Ohio Sports Betting Status
Efforts to legalize sports gambling in the Buckeye State started with the introduction of a Senate bill in mid-March. The bill, SB 111, seeks to authorize the Ohio Casino Control Commission to regulate wagering in the jurisdiction.
A month later, the House introduced a competing bill in its chambers, causing confusion among legislators in the state. The House bill, HB 194, tasks the Ohio Lottery with the regulation job.
The state Governor, Mike DeWine, is on record supporting the Casino Control Commission to do the regulation work.
At the moment, the Ohio Senate is waiting for HB 194 to advance and pass out of the House before beginning official discussions on its legislation.
