This week is make or break for Ohio sports betting legislation — at least in the state Senate.
State Sen. Kirk Schuring, chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Gaming, took to an Ohio radio station this morning and said they are nearing the finish line. Even with 45 proposed amendments submitted to the committee by last week’s deadline, the hope is to vote and send it to Ohio House by the end of the week. This sets the stage for state lawmakers in both chambers to potentially pass sports betting in Ohio before the end of the month.
Ohio Sports Betting Bill Vote This Week In Senate
“The sports gaming bill is moving in the Senate,” he said during an interview Monday morning on News-Talk 1480 AM in Canton, Ohio.
“The plan is to vote the bill out of committee on Tuesday, and have it on the Senate floor on Wednesday, and then send it to the House for consideration.”
The committee set a deadline of June 11 for all amendments to the legislation, Senate Bill 176. Schuring said the committee received 45 amendments. Committee members and leadership spent the weekend reviewing them all. They plan to offer a dump-all “omnibus amendment” during the hearing tomorrow.
“We will offer it in committee on Tuesday,” he said. The hearing is slated for 3:30 PM on Tuesday, June 15.
Schuring did not offer specifics about what the amendments would entail. But he was clear, that in his mind, he felt it was an all-inclusive bill that comprised multiple components.
“The general themes are free-market approach and no exclusivity,” he said.
The Ohio betting bill will have eBingo, a retail component for the Ohio Lottery, big screen TVs, and restaurants, he said, adding there will be “glitz and glamour.”
Next Steps For Sports Betting In Ohio
The committee has been meeting since the winter to craft legislation. Since it first unveiled the bill in May it has been amended several times. As it stands right now there will be 20 licenses available for the Type A and Type B license. Each of these will be allowed one mobile app for the first year. They can add one additional app after the first year.
Schuring’s office provided a list of all the updates last week.
Once the bill clears the Senate, something that is expected but with all things politics related not a given, it goes to the House. State Rep. Brigid Kelly is expected to handle the issue in that chamber. Her office last week declined to comment on the Senate bill, instead saying she was waiting to see the final product.
Ohio Sports Betting Bill Set To Pass By June 30
Schuring said on Monday that the June 30 timeline he and other advocates put in place for the bill to pass both chambers is still within reach.
“We want to get this done, both the House and Senate, before June 30. So we are on the right track to make that happen,” he said
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