Ohio’s next governor will inherit an online casino debate that has drawn legalization sponsors, political opposition, and growing questions about gambling on phones.
- Amy Acton supports considering online casinos with youth protections and advertising safeguards.
- Vivek Ramaswamy has not publicly committed to supporting or opposing online casino legalization.
- Recent polls show Acton leading Ramaswamy 50%-44%, while Republican control of the legislature remains a potential obstacle to expansion.
Democrat Amy Acton supports considering regulated iGaming expansion with protections for young people and limits on predatory advertising. Republican Vivek Ramaswamy has emphasized "responsible decision-making" in his campaign without committing to legalizing online casinos.
The candidates are competing Nov. 3 to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, whose gaming opposition has complicated expansion efforts. DeWine even went so far as to call signing legislation that legalized online Ohio sports betting his "biggest mistake" in office.
Prediction markets and recent independent polling favor Acton, but either nominee would still need agreement with a legislature expected to remain Republican controlled. The governor’s race is one part of a broader election picture; Covers’ 2026 midterm prediction market odds tracker follows market probabilities for control of the House and Senate, as well as key races.
Acton pairs online casino support with safeguards
Acton has expressed openness to online casino legalization, a departure from DeWine's opposition, without endorsing a specific licensing or tax structure.
The former Ohio Department of Health director has said internet gambling could lead to revenue for public services and proposals to lower living costs. Her position builds on earlier support for online gambling expansion alongside additional consumer safeguards and tighter sports betting rules.
Acton’s published campaign priorities emphasize affordability, health care, education and consumer protection. Her gambling remarks reflect those priorities, balancing potential tax revenue against concerns about consumer protection and easier access to gambling.
That leaves important decisions unresolved. Her comments do not establish which companies would receive licenses, what tax rate they would pay, or how promotional offers would work. Those questions have divided Ohio gambling businesses and lawmakers, making the details consequential even with a supportive governor.
Ohio already permits sports betting and land-based casinos. Only eight states have approved real-money online casino gambling.
An Acton victory would therefore change the executive branch’s posture without settling the legislation. With Republicans positioned to retain legislative control, an Acton administration would need to negotiate with GOP lawmakers over licensing, taxation, and consumer protections.
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Ramaswamy leaves expansion decision open
Ramaswamy’s gambling position remains less specific, leaving uncertainty about whether a Republican successor to DeWine would support online casinos.
His campaign did not answer gambling-policy questions for the August reporting on the candidates’ positions. In a subsequent public television interview, he discussed bringing a fresh perspective and protecting Ohioans, without saying whether he would sign an iGaming bill.
A promise to consider the issue responsibly does not establish support for expansion, but it also falls short of a pledge to veto it. The available remarks leave room for negotiation without providing operators a firm commitment.
His official campaign plan centers on reducing costs, cutting property taxes, and phasing out Ohio’s income tax, starting with capital gains taxes. It does not identify online casino revenue as a funding source for those proposals.
Republican lawmakers have nevertheless connected gambling expansion with their own budget goals. Rep. Brian Stewart has outlined an approach that would reserve licenses for existing casinos and racinos and direct promotional incentives toward in-person play. Stewart has presented potential gaming revenue as relevant to broader tax discussions.
Those are Stewart’s proposals, rather than an announced Ramaswamy platform. Republicans are split about iGaming, and gambling more broadly.
A group of his fellow GOP lawmakers have backed legislation to repeal Ohio's authorization of online sports betting, underscoring opposition to further gambling expansion.
DeWine’s departure removes one prominent opponent from the governor’s office. Whether Ramaswamy would replace that opposition with support, additional conditions, or another rejection remains an unanswered part of the election’s gambling implications.
Republicans likely to retain legislative control
Republicans are strongly positioned to keep both General Assembly chambers, leaving online casino legislation dependent on negotiations within the GOP and, likely, cooperation with Democrats.
All 99 House seats and 17 of the Senate’s 33 seats are on the November ballot. The governor’s race is more competitive than the contest for legislative control, so an Acton victory could produce divided government rather than Democratic control of gambling policy.
The recent legislative record shows why party control alone offers little certainty. Sen. Nathan Manning’s 2025 online casino proposal drew disagreements over taxes, fees, and competition with existing properties. A subsequent three-hour hearing ended without a vote, with most speakers opposing the bill or seeking changes.
Ohio gambling legislation timeline
| 2026 | Rep. Brian Stewart outlined an iGaming approach reserving licenses for existing casinos and racinos and directing promotional incentives toward land-based play. |
| 2025 | Sen. Nathan Manning’s SB197 proposed legalizing and taxing internet gambling. A May committee hearing ended without a vote amid opposition and requests for changes. |
| 2024 | Sen. Niraj Antani introduced SB312 to legalize online casinos, but the proposal did not become law. |
| 2023 | Ohio’s budget doubled the sportsbook revenue tax from 10% to 20%, effective July 1, just six months after legal wagering launched. |
Stewart’s more recent proposal addresses one of those disputes by steering promotional benefits toward casinos and racinos. It does not resolve opposition based on addiction, constant smartphone access, or fears that online play would reduce business at existing properties.
Prediction markets favor Acton, with polling showing a lead
As of Tuesday afternoon, Kalshi displayed a 76% probability of a Democratic victory and 24% for Republicans. Polymarket displayed Acton at 79% and Ramaswamy at 21%, with approximately $458,000 traded. For additional context on why polling and market prices can diverge, see Covers’ analysis of 2026 midterm polls vs. prediction markets.
Independent polling also gives Acton an advantage. Bowling Green State University’s survey with YouGov, conducted Sept. 29-Oct. 9 among 1,000 likely Ohio voters, put her ahead 50%-44%. The university reported a margin of error of plus or minus 3.95 percentage points.
Marist’s Sept. 24-27 survey likewise showed Acton leading 50%-44% among 1,298 registered voters, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.8 points.
Covers’ 2026 Senate control odds coverage also tracks Ohio as one of the battleground states relevant to the balance of power in Washington.
