Ohio Bill Aims to Ban Online Betting and Limit Sports Bets

Ohio’s HB 971 seeks to limit user bets to $100 per wager and end online wagering. The bill, introduced by Rep. Jonathan Newman and Beth Lear on Wednesday, aims to prohibit several popular betting markets, including college sports, player props, in-play bets, and parlays. HB 971 would limit users to eight bets in 24 hours.

Newman stated, 'Monetizing addiction to fund public education is the wrong direction for Ohio.' He believes that the current system benefits big gambling companies rather than the state's schools. Lear argued that online gambling companies' 'aggressive pay-to-play game' has threatened children in the state, stating, 'Our kids, their physical and mental well-being, are not for sale.'

Gov. Mike DeWine has spoken openly against player props bets, seeing them as a way to undermine the integrity of sports. The bill is divisive, but aspects of it already have some historic backing. 98.5% of sports betting activity in Ohio is funneled through online sportsbooks, according to the Ohio Casino Control Commission’s report for May 2026.