Ohio Representatives Introduce Legislation to Restrict Online Sports Betting Options
State Representatives Johnathan Newman from Troy and Beth Lear from Galena introduced the Save Ohio Sports Act on July 7, 2026, which sets out specific changes to how sports betting operates within the state, and lawmakers presented the measure as a way to address concerns around certain betting formats while preserving retail options at physical locations.
Details of the Proposed Restrictions
The legislation targets online sports betting by proposing a complete ban on that format, whereas retail sportsbooks located at casinos and other approved venues would continue under existing rules, and this distinction forms a core element of the bill's structure since supporters argue it maintains some access while limiting digital expansion.
Additional measures eliminate several categories of wagers including collegiate betting, parlays, prop bets, and live betting, which means bettors would face narrower choices at the remaining retail sites, and the bill also includes a cap of one hundred dollars per bet along with new rules on advertising and payment processing methods that operators must follow if the measure advances.
Background on the Bill's Introduction
Representatives Newman and Lear, both Republicans, brought the Save Ohio Sports Act forward during the July 2026 legislative period, and observers note that the timing aligns with ongoing discussions in Ohio about how sports betting has developed since legalization, while the bill references consumer protection and sports integrity as primary goals amid reports of various betting practices that some groups have flagged as potentially problematic.
According to the bill text, these restrictions aim to reduce exposure to what the sponsors describe as predatory elements in online environments, and the proposal keeps retail sportsbooks operational so that physical venues retain their role in the state's gaming framework without the digital components that have grown in popularity elsewhere.
Key Elements Addressed in the Legislation
The Save Ohio Sports Act outlines several concrete changes that would take effect if passed, starting with the prohibition on all forms of online sports betting, and this clause directly impacts mobile apps and digital platforms that currently handle wagers from Ohio residents while leaving brick-and-mortar books untouched.
Collegiate sports events would no longer qualify for any betting activity under the proposed rules, and the elimination of parlays, prop bets, and live in-game wagering further narrows the product range at retail locations, whereas the one-hundred-dollar maximum bet size applies uniformly to remaining options as a way to control wager amounts across the board.
New advertising restrictions would limit how operators promote sports betting products, and payment processing changes would require additional safeguards or limitations on transaction methods, which together create a more regulated environment for the activities that survive the proposed cuts.
Stated Goals and Legislative Context
Sponsors framed the bill around protecting consumers from what they view as high-risk betting features and safeguarding the integrity of sports competitions, and data from various state monitoring programs shows increased participation in sports wagering since Ohio expanded its gaming offerings, while concerns about certain online practices have surfaced in regulatory reviews.
The measure reflects a targeted approach that distinguishes between online and retail channels, and it builds on existing state laws by adding layers of restrictions rather than overhauling the entire system, which allows retail operators to maintain their physical presence even as digital options face elimination.
According to information released with the bill introduction, lawmakers cited examples of betting behaviors that prompted the changes, and the July 2026 timing places the proposal amid broader conversations about responsible gaming standards across multiple jurisdictions.
Potential Implementation Path
If the Save Ohio Sports Act advances through the Ohio legislature, it would require approval from both chambers before reaching the governor for signature, and the process typically involves committee reviews where details receive further examination, whereas stakeholders such as retail operators and regulatory bodies would provide input during hearings.
The bill's structure focuses on immediate prohibitions for online activities alongside adjustments to retail offerings, which means any transition period would center on shutting down digital platforms and updating in-person betting rules to match the new caps and restrictions on bet types.
Conclusion
The introduction of the Save Ohio Sports Act by Representatives Newman and Lear on July 7, 2026, marks a specific legislative effort to reshape sports betting in Ohio through bans on online formats and reductions in available wager types at retail sites, and the proposal includes measures such as bet caps plus advertising and payment rules that would apply if enacted.
Details from the bill text highlight protection of consumers and sports integrity as central aims, while the distinction between online and retail channels remains a defining feature of the approach, and further steps in the legislative process will determine whether these changes move forward into state law.