Overview
- In a meeting with the cleveland.com | The Plain Dealer editorial board, Gov. Mike DeWine said his top regret as governor is signing the 2021 law that enabled statewide sports wagering in 2023.
- Ohioans wagered about $7.7 billion in 2023 and nearly $8.9 billion in 2024, figures DeWine cited as he described rapid growth driven by smartphone apps and relentless marketing.
- DeWine said the state has spent several million dollars on problem-gambling services and warned that younger men are being hit hardest by addiction.
- Citing threats to athletes and high-profile cases, he pointed to integrity risks that include federal indictments of two Cleveland Guardians pitchers and FBI arrests of several NBA players.
- After initially backing a broad prop-bet ban, DeWine accepted MLB’s negotiated limits that restrict pitch bets and cap microprop wagers at $200, is pressing other leagues to act, and says he would sign a statewide prop-bet ban if lawmakers send it to his desk.