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Ohio gubernatorial candidates Amy Acton and Don Kissick support expanding online gambling, while Vivek Ramaswamy has not committed to a specific expansion plan, according to Action Network’s Nov. 3 report. Their positions could shape the next online casino debate as Ohio voters choose a governor on Nov. 3, 2026.
Acton and Kissick support expansion on different grounds
Acton supports online casino-style gambling expansion with consumer protections and revenue directed toward public schools, childcare, and measures aimed at reducing household costs and property taxes, according to Action Network.
She also supports keeping Ohio’s current 20% sports-betting tax rate while restricting certain advertisements and some microprop bets.
Kissick supports expanding online gambling on personal-freedom grounds and prefers keeping Ohio’s existing sports-betting laws.
Ramaswamy’s campaign did not answer earlier questions from Cleveland.com about gambling expansion, sports-betting rules and problem gambling, Action Network reported.
Ohio lawmakers would still need to approve online casinos
Ohio allows regulated online sports betting, which launched Jan. 1, 2023. State-regulated real-money online casinos and online poker are not authorized.
Legalizing those products would require approval from the Ohio General Assembly and a regulatory framework. A governor can influence budget proposals, legislation and oversight, but the election itself would not authorize online casinos.
Outgoing Gov. Mike DeWine has been a prominent opponent of further gambling expansion. According to Action Network, he said signing Ohio’s sports-betting law was his biggest regret as governor.
Past Ohio online casino proposals have differed on tax rates, eligible operators and which forms of online gambling to include.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-589-9966.
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Source: As reported by Action Network.
