Ohio: Proposed gambling legislation puts fee on sports wagers

Friday, April 17, 2026 2:39 PM
Image aggregated from WSYX.
  • WSYX

A bill has been proposed by Republican State Senator Louis Blessing, III, based in the Cincinnati area, that would put a 2-percent fee on sports wagers.

The bill is similar to Gov. Mike DeWine’s plan from last budget season.

The revenue it generates would fund public sports stadiums and also K-12 education.

The 2-percent fee is in addition to Ohio’s existing 20 % tax on sports gaming receipts.

Blessing said this could raise an additional $200 million per year.

Others like Columbus-area Democratic State Senator Bill DeMora are skeptical of the amount of revenue it could bring.