Sports Betting in Ohio May Wait a Bit More

Most bookies defer to a pay per head software to help them with their sports betting businesses. This is an advantage, as most of them, like PricePerPlayer.com software, can offer wagering options to anyone across the world. Having an open international market can allow bookies to not rely on local communities to make money. Especially in the US, where the legalization of sports betting happens slowly. Each state’s legislature has to come up with a bill acceptable to all, or the majority, for it to pass and become law.

And in some cases, like in Ohio, the path to legalized sports betting is not smooth at all. With a bill each from each house, legislators are having trouble finding a consensus on the terms for gambling bills to pass.

Sports Betting in Ohio

House Bill 194, or HB 194, wants the Ohio Lottery Commission to regulate the industry. This could mean overseeing as many as a thousand sportsbooks in the state. Meanwhile, Senate Bill 111, or SB111, wants oversight to go to the Ohio Casino Control Commission. They also want sports betting to be limited to just the 11 casinos and racetracks that have licenses in the state. Taxes will be 6.35%, with a $10,000 initial license fee and $100,000 every 5 years.

Also, the senate bill looks to allow online and mobile sports betting sites. The risk for the bill, however, is the limitation on the number of licensed operators to be allowed. The House version opens the market to much more licensees. This is to open the market enough to generate a collection of tax revenue that will benefit the schools of Ohio. The bill states the initial licensing fee will be $100,000, then an annual renewal fee of $100,000 as well. But bet and fraternal organizations will only pay $1,000 annually. As for taxes, the gross gaming revenue will be 10%.

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