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A groundbreaking legislative proposal at the Ohio Statehouse sets the stage for legalizing internet casino gaming at a suggested tax rate of 15%. This initiative, comprising Senate Bill 312, aims to transform digital entertainment by legalizing various online casino games for Ohioans.
Legislative insights: the push for legal online gambling:
State Senator Niraj Antani (R-Miamisburg), the bill’s primary sponsor, expressed his enthusiasm for the bill’s potential to evolve gaming in Ohio. “I think that this is the next progression of gaming in Ohio,” Antani remarked. His vision includes enabling Ohio residents to legally engage in a range of online games, including poker, roulette, slot machines, and card games like blackjack. “Blackjack, any sort of card game, table game, you’ll see allowed. That’s the idea here,” Antani elaborated.
The bill assigns the Ohio Casino Control Commission the responsibility to collaborate with licensed casinos to specify which games can be offered online. This move seeks to ensure a regulated and safe environment for online gambling enthusiasts.
However, the proposal has stirred concerns among some stakeholders, notably from the traditional brick-and-mortar sectors. According to WCMH TV, David Corey, executive vice president of the Bowling Centers Association of Ohio, voiced apprehensions about the negative impacts on physical businesses. “It is definitely worrisome for our clients,” Corey said, concerned about potential job losses and reduced customer visits to physical locations. Despite these concerns, Corey acknowledged the need for a balanced approach that includes benefits for the hospitality sector, such as the potential expansion of gambling kiosks.
In contrast, Antani reassured that the introduction of iGaming would not undermine traditional gaming venues. “This is not going to affect them at all,” he asserted. “This is simply another entertainment option on people’s phones, just like every other game they play, just like every movie that people watch.”
The senator also recalled the initial objectives of sports betting, which aimed to create a level playing field between online platforms and traditional industries. However, the rapid dominance of online sports betting platforms raised concerns about market equity, prompting ongoing discussions for equitable solutions.
The path forward: regulation and public safety:
Amid these debates, Antani remains a staunch advocate for the legalization of iGaming, which he believes will curtail illegal online gambling activities and provide a regulated, safe framework for the practice. “People want iGaming,” he noted. “They do it illegally now. They do it on the black market. I believe we should be able to do it safely and in a regulated way and its time to legalize this practice.”
As WLWT reports, Senate Bill 312 proposes a tax rate of 15% for online casino games, which is 5% lower than the current tax rate for online sports betting in Ohio. The bill’s introduction marks the beginning of a legislative process, with the first hearing anticipated in November. If successful, The Buckeye State would join the seven US states, including Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and West Virginia, that currently offer legal iGaming.
