Ohio Gubernatorial Candidates Back Online Gambling Expansion

Ohio’s gubernatorial candidates have recently shared their views on expanding online gambling in the state, just before the primary election. Democrat frontrunner Amy Acton and Libertarian candidate Donald Kissick have both expressed support for expanding online gaming in Ohio. Ohio legalized online sports betting in 2021.

With a population of 11.9 million people, Ohio presents an interesting case if online poker was legalized in the state. Ohio would become the second most-populous state in the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), which includes Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Jersey, Nevada, West Virginia, and Delaware.

Amy Acton supports additional iGaming options as well as increased consumer safety measures and oversight of sports betting. Donald Kissick favors expanding the industry in the state, bringing players into a regulated environment and curbing offshore gaming. Ohio’s four commercial casinos and seven racinos combined to bring in a record $3.5 billion in revenue, generating $1.03 billion in taxes in 2025. About one-third of that is earmarked for the Ohio Student Fund, and nearly all of sports betting tax revenue is distributed to the education fund. Ohio has been a key swing state in federal elections, and legalizing online gaming could possibly mark a broader legislative shift for the industry.