Ohio House Finance Committee chair Brian Stewart said he will oppose any restrictions on prop betting after Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine publically called for the ban of prop bets in the state.
Key Takeaways
- Stewart will oppose a ban on player prop betting.
- Stewart believes prop bets are a “significant” part of sports betting in Ohio.
- DeWine’s efforts to ban prop betting come after a betting scandal involving two Cleveland Guardians players.
Stewart said he would use his influence to prevent rule changes for Ohio online sports betting sites, although the decision doesn’t rest with him. The Ohio Casino Control Commission changes rules, which then need approval from the 10-member Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review. Stewart is not a member of this group.
“I think that prop bets are a significant part of sports betting in the state of Ohio,” he said. “It’s something that clearly a lot of Ohioans have taken part in and enjoy, and I don’t think there’s something that we should eliminate entirely.”
Ohio governor seeks ban after betting scandal
DeWine’s call to ban proposition bets came in response to a major sports betting scandal involving two Cleveland Guardians pitchers, Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase, both of whom MLB placed on leave. The investigation began after suspicious betting activity on specific pitches thrown by Ortiz triggered integrity monitors.
DeWine said the incident highlights the dangers of prop bets, which allow wagers on individual in-game events like pitches or player stats rather than overall game outcomes.
“The prop betting experiment in this country has failed badly,” DeWine said, urging the Ohio Casino Control Commission to remove all such bets from the state’s sports betting marketplace.
The governor also plans to pursue support from unions, major sports leagues, and players for a nationwide ban on the basis that these bets negatively impact fairness and put players at risk.
Lawmakers deny Ohio sports betting tax hike
Ohio lawmakers have already turned down a significant proposal from DeWine, rejecting his motion to raise the state’s sports betting tax rate from 20% to 40%, leaving the rate unchanged.
The proposed hike, which would have doubled the tax for the second time in two years, aimed to fund stadium projects and youth sports programs. However, legislators showed little interest, passing an amended budget without the increase in a 60-39 vote.
