iGaming hearing draws casino operators and trade groups; witnesses press consumer protections, warn against high fees and tight license limits

The House Finance Committee convened a lengthy first hearing on substitute House Bill 298, a proposal to legalize online casino gaming (iGaming) tethered to Ohio’s land-based casino and racino operators. The hearing drew witnesses from trade groups, online operators and casino companies who discussed consumer protections, illegal “sweepstakes” sites, taxation, license fees and market structure.

Scott Ward of the Sports Betting Alliance told the committee that an unregulated illegal market already exists in Ohio and urged the legislature to create a regulated alternative. Ward said legalization would “provide consumer protections to Ohioans, who already engage in iGaming, stamp out illegal online gaming happening in the state now, and provide significant tax revenue without raising taxes.” He cited a study he summarized as estimating roughly $5,000,000,000 annually is currently spent on illegal online casino gaming in Ohio and said experience in Pennsylvania and Michigan shows the legal market can capture a meaningful portion of that activity.

Industr…