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A bill in Ohio aims to ban online betting and stop college, prop, and parlay bets.

Ohio's HB 971 aims to introduce extensive reforms to the online gambling industry, primarily restricting many aspects of the current sector. The main proposals suggest capping user bets at $100 per wager, discontinuing online betting, and removing a signi

Written by Casino House Group Editorial Team

Published on July 2, 2026

Summary

Ohio's HB 971 aims to introduce extensive reforms to the online gambling industry, primarily restricting many aspects of the current sector.
The main proposals suggest capping user bets at $100 per wager, discontinuing online betting, and removing a significant number of markets.
The bill has an ambitious scope, but it's unlikely to pass through the legislature because it aims to impose too many restrictions at once.

Online sports betting is often cited as the most crucial element in legalizing sports gambling across the United States. It enables local jurisdictions to compete with offshore markets and ensures that most players place their bets with a licensed operator.

Ohio bill wants to end Internet wagering

A new bill introduced by Republican Rep. Jonathan Newman and Beth Lear on Wednesday aims to end online sports betting and restrict it to physical locations only. Newman explained, Monetizing addiction to fund public education is wrong for Ohio. Who really benefits when predatory gambling targets the vulnerable? Certainly not our schools. The winners are the trillion-dollar big gambling companies. How is this good for Ohio? House Bill 971 poses a potential major setback for the sports betting industry, since currently, 98.5% of this activity occurs through online sportsbooks and their mobile platforms. This percentage comes from the Ohio Casino Control Commission’s report for May 2026, with similar figures noted in previous months. The bill also seeks to ban several popular betting markets, including college sports, player props, in-play bets, and parlays, which could significantly reduce gambling options and potentially impact revenue and overall gambling spending. Lear argues that gambling is a serious societal issue and criticizes online gambling companies for their aggressive pay-to-play game that she believes endangers children in the state. Our kids, their physical and mental well-being, are not for sale, Lear stated firmly. While the bill is divisive, some of its components have historical support. For instance, Gov. Mike DeWine has been outspoken against player prop bets, viewing them as a threat to sports integrity, especially amid recent high-profile scandals involving the NCAA, NBA, and MLB.

Limiting users to protect them

HB 971 aims to impose stricter limits on gambling by capping individual wagers at $100 and allowing only eight bets within 24 hours. While this is presented as a measure to protect players and seems reasonable at first, it might actually deter people from participating, rather than enhancing safety. Despite its ambitious nature, HB 971 faces a tough journey through the House of Representatives and the Senate before it can reach Governor DeWine's desk. The governor, known for his cautious stance on certain aspects of sports gambling, might hesitate to overturn the progress made in previous sessions.