Ohio Lawmakers Introduce Save Ohio Sports Act to Restrict Online Sports Betting
State Representatives Johnathan Newman from Troy and Beth Lear from Galena introduced the Save Ohio Sports Act on July 7 2026; the legislation seeks to ban online sports betting across the state while preserving retail sportsbooks that operate at physical locations and the bill outlines multiple restrictions including the elimination of collegiate betting along with parlays, prop bets, and live betting plus it establishes a $100 cap on individual wagers and imposes new rules on advertising and payment processing methods.
Core Provisions of the Proposed Legislation
The Save Ohio Sports Act targets several aspects of the current sports betting framework in Ohio by prohibiting all forms of online wagering which would shift activity exclusively to in-person retail operations at licensed venues and the measure also removes options for betting on college sports events while banning multi-leg parlays, specialized prop bets on individual player performances, and in-game live betting that allows wagers during ongoing matches; furthermore the proposal sets a strict per-bet limit of $100 and requires additional safeguards around how operators advertise their services along with controls on payment transactions to prevent certain high-risk methods from being used.
Those who've examined the bill details note that these changes aim to address concerns about consumer protection and the overall integrity of sports competitions by reducing exposure to what the sponsors describe as predatory practices in the digital betting space and the legislation maintains the existing retail sportsbook model so that physical locations continue to offer regulated betting experiences without the online component.
Background on the Bill's Introduction
Representatives Newman and Lear presented the Save Ohio Sports Act during the 2026 legislative session as a direct response to ongoing developments in the state's sports betting market and the bill's text specifies that its primary goals include shielding consumers from potential harms associated with unrestricted online access while upholding standards that protect the fairness of athletic events from undue influence; data from industry reports indicates that online platforms have expanded rapidly since legalization which prompted this targeted regulatory approach according to sources covering the announcement.
What's significant is how the proposal differentiates between online and retail channels by allowing brick-and-mortar sportsbooks to remain operational under current rules yet it eliminates digital alternatives entirely which represents a substantial shift from the broader access model that has operated in recent years and the inclusion of advertising restrictions would require operators to follow new guidelines on promotions and marketing materials while payment limitations could affect deposit and withdrawal processes for any remaining retail activity.
Stated Objectives and Regulatory Context
The sponsors have framed the Save Ohio Sports Act around two main priorities which involve consumer safeguards against aggressive online betting tactics and measures to preserve the integrity of sports by removing certain bet types that could invite manipulation risks such as live in-game wagers or prop bets on specific outcomes and the $100 cap per bet serves as an additional control mechanism to limit exposure levels for participants in the retail environment that would persist under the law.
According to the bill language these provisions collectively seek to create a more contained betting ecosystem focused on in-person participation which could align with broader patterns observed in other jurisdictions where similar distinctions between online and land-based operations have been established and the elimination of collegiate betting removes an entire category that has drawn particular scrutiny in various regulatory discussions across the United States.
Implementation Considerations
If enacted the Save Ohio Sports Act would require operators to adjust their platforms and compliance procedures to meet the new standards particularly around the removal of online functionality and the restricted bet categories while retail locations would need to enforce the $100 wager limit and adhere to updated advertising and payment protocols; the legislation does not specify immediate timelines for rollout but it outlines the structural changes that would redefine how sports betting functions within Ohio borders.
Observers have pointed out that the bill's focus on specific prohibitions like parlays and live betting targets features commonly associated with digital platforms which underscores the intent to curtail those elements entirely while the retention of retail sportsbooks provides continuity for physical venues that already comply with state licensing requirements and this approach could influence how payment processors and advertisers interact with the remaining legal betting channels.
Conclusion
The introduction of the Save Ohio Sports Act by Representatives Newman and Lear on July 7 2026 marks a notable development in Ohio's approach to sports betting regulation with its emphasis on banning online operations and restricting certain bet types along with wager caps and advertising rules and the proposal reflects efforts to balance consumer protection priorities with the continuation of regulated retail options as outlined in the bill text.