Ohio Governor Signals Buyer’s Remorse Over Sports Betting Legalization

The second-term Republican stated that if he could reverse the timeline, he would “absolutely” choose not to unleash the industry on the state.

DeWine admits he would willingly sign legislation to repeal the law entirely, though he acknowledges the political reality makes this impossible. “I can count,” DeWine noted, conceding that the Ohio Statehouse lacks the votes necessary to dismantle the market.

The Power of the House

DeWine argues that the legalized environment is fundamentally different from the illicit gambling that existed previously. He pointed to the “deep, deep, deep pockets” of operators and their aggressive advertising strategies as the primary source of the problem.

According to the Governor, these companies utilize their financial power to do everything possible to induce wagering, a dynamic he believes the state legislature failed to fully anticipate.

The Governor’s concerns materialized shortly after the market launched in January 2023. His office received reports of bettors directing threats at members of the University of Dayton basketball team.

In response, DeWine worked with the Ohio Casino Control Commission to remove prop bets involving collegiate athletes from the betting menu. This regulatory adjustment was the first step in a broader campaign to tighten the rules of engagement for operators in the state.

Targeting Micro-Betting Mechanics

Unable to repeal the law, DeWine has shifted his strategy to restricting specific gameplay features, particularly “micro-betting.”

These are wagers placed on momentary outcomes, such as the result of a single pitch in baseball. DeWine recently facilitated a negotiation between Major League Baseball (MLB) and authorized gaming operators to limit these markets.

The resulting agreement capped wagers on individual pitches at $200 and prohibited them from being included in parlays.

DeWine views these limits as a compromise, stating he would have preferred to “completely done away with” micro-prop bets.

However, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred credited the Governor’s intervention as a crucial service to the sport. Matt Schuler, Executive Director of the Ohio Casino Control Commission, observed that DeWine is effectively using his “bully pulpit” to force these adjustments where direct legislation falls short.

Warnings of Systemic Risk

The Governor is now pushing for a “holistic” and “universal” ban on micro-betting across all major U.S. sports leagues. He characterized the current reliance on these high-frequency wagers as leagues “playing with fire.”

As a baseball fan, DeWine argued that the sport is “playing with dynamite” and that the integrity of the competition is at stake. He warned that failing to address these mechanics is simply “asking for more and more trouble” regarding player safety and game fairness.