Could Ohio Pass Sports Betting Legislation in 2020?

The clock is ticking with the holidays nearing. In Ohio, the state legislature will be shutting down for the year on December 17, 2020. Before they close the door on the year, residents are hopeful that the government will finally move forward and pass ongoing sports betting legislation.

Currently, the Ohio Senate General Government and Agency Review Committee are working on a substitute version of SB 111. Bill SB 111 was originally put through the legislature earlier this year before being sent back to the appropriate committees for revisions. It's worth noting that this House bill is markedly different than the Senate bill that was passed back in May.

As of this week, the House has been trying to put the final touches on SB 111 in preparation for presentation to the Senate. The items that are currently being addressed include revenue tax rates, the allocation of mobile "skins" or brands that each provider would be allowed to promote, and licensing fees. While SB 111 designates the Ohio Lottery Commission to serve as the regulator of Ohio sports betting, the House has agreed to defer to the Senate on this issue. In the Senate's sports betting legislation, the Ohio Casino Control Commission would serve as the state's sports gambling regulatory body.

Moving forward, the House would need the Senate to approve Bill SB 111 before the House would take its final vote. If everything falls into place without further delay, it is possible that a final bill could be on Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's desk for signature before Congress recesses for the year. Should a bill make it to the Governor's desk, it's very likely he would sign the bill immediately unless something unforeseen were to happen.

To be clear, there is a sense of urgency to get this sports betting legislation done this year. Failure to do so would result in the House having to refile the bill next year when Congress reconvenes. Should that happen, residents and sports betting enthusiasts would surely be disappointed.

With that said, all would not be lost. Given the amount of progress that has been made this year to bring sports betting to Ohio, it has become increasingly clear that something is going to get done. It's just a matter of dotting all the Is and crossing all the Ts. If it doesn't get done by year-end, it would almost assuredly get done as early as the first quarter of 2021.