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Ohio sports betting grew fast, but concern inside the statehouse followed just as quickly. Years after signing the bill, the governor now frames the decision as a turning point he would undo if given another chance.
Good to Know
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine now calls the legalization of sports betting the biggest mistake of his seven year tenure. The comment came during a Wednesday meeting with the editorial board of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer, where the governor spoke candidly about outcomes he did not expect when he signed the bill into law.
“People have asked me, ‘What mistakes did you make?’ And I’ll lead with signing a bill for sports gaming,” DeWine said.
The governor described underestimating both the reach of sportsbook advertising and the social impact of mobile wagering. Easy access through smartphones changed betting behavior faster than anticipated, according to his remarks.
Sports betting launched statewide in January 2023 after lawmakers approved legalization in late 2021. Operators entered the market with heavy promotional spending, placing sportsbook ads across television, digital platforms, and live sports broadcasts.
DeWine said the intensity of those campaigns surprised him. Mobile access removed physical barriers that once limited frequency, allowing betting at any time without visiting a casino or retail sportsbook.
That shift, he said, helped drive gambling addiction, particularly among men under 45. Many bettors, according to the governor, spent money they did not have and fell into financial distress.
Ohio residents wagered $7.7 billion on sports during 2023. The total climbed to nearly $8.9 billion in 2024. Participation expanded quickly, but the state response followed a different curve.
DeWine said Ohio has since spent several million dollars addressing problem gambling and funding addiction services. Those costs, he noted, did not factor heavily into expectations during the legislative push.
The governor framed the situation as a lesson in how policy outcomes change once technology removes friction.
During the editorial board discussion, DeWine also raised concerns about sports integrity. Legalized betting, he said, places new pressure on athletes and leagues.
He referenced federal investigations involving professional athletes, including two Cleveland Guardians pitchers indicted on pitch rigging charges. He also pointed to gambling related arrests tied to current and former NBA players.