DeWine signs Ohio sports betting bill into law

COLUMBUS — House Bill 29, a bill that legalizes sports betting in Ohio has been signed into law by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, according to a spokesperson for the governor’s office.

>>PREVIOUS REPORT: Ohio House, Senate send sports betting bill to governor’s desk

The governor’s office announced the sports betting bill was among nine other bills signed into law by DeWine Wednesday. The bill had been on DeWine’s desk since December 8, after both houses of the Ohio Legislature passed HB 29 and sent it to the governor.

According to the legislation, the state will legalize sports wagering no later than Jan. 1, 2023.

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In a one-on-one interview with News Center 7′s John Bedell last week, DeWine showed indications the bill would be signed into law.

“I see no reason that I would not sign it ... I look forward to signing the bill,” DeWine said.

The bill allows for casinos, stadiums, bars, and restaurants to offer sports betting. Cell phone apps that offer sports betting will also be legal in the bill.

State Senator Niraj Antani (R-Miamisburg) was a supporter of the bill and previously told News Center 7 he was hopeful DeWine would sign the bill into law.

“Ohioans should be able to bet in Ohio. They shouldn’t have to go out of state to do it,” Antani said.

He added with 30 other states already allowing sports betting, including neighboring states, Ohio was behind before.

Opponents of the bill said it would provide more avenues for people with a gambling addiction to fuel that addiction.

“We know that the more opportunities there are to gamble in Ohio, more Ohioans will gamble,” Derek Longmeier, Executive Director of Problem Gambling Network of Ohio previously said to News Center 7.

According to Antani, the state will collect a 10 percent tax on sports gambling revenue with most of that money going to public and private K-12 education.

“We don’t know what the exact number will be but, I expect it to be tens of millions of dollars and 98 percent of that is going to education,” Antani said.

We’ll update this story as we learn more.

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