Ohio Governor Mike DeWine says that approving the bill that legalized sports betting in the state stands as the biggest mistake of his seven‑year tenure, expressing regret over the rise in gambling‑related harm that followed.
DeWine: “I Shouldn’t Have Signed It”
DeWine signed the legislation in December 2021, paving the way for statewide sports wagering, which officially launched in January 2023. Fueled by aggressive marketing from major operators, Ohioans wagered $7.7 billion in 2023 and nearly $8.9 billion in 2024. By late 2025, the market continued to surge, with FanDuel, DraftKings, and others driving record activity.
But DeWine now says the rapid expansion has come with serious consequences. He pointed to a rise in gambling addiction—particularly among young men—and noted that the state has spent millions on treatment and support services.
The governor said he did not anticipate the scale of advertising that accompanied legalization, nor how widespread and accessible mobile betting would become.
Efforts to Address the Fallout
This is not the first time DeWine has voiced regret. After several college baseball betting scandals last fall, he again said he should not have signed the bill. At the time, he also raised concerns about proposition bets, or “prop bets,” and their impact on sports integrity.
Following discussions with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, DeWine agreed to support a national approach led by professional leagues. MLB subsequently worked with operators to restrict betting on individual pitches and cap “microprop” wagers at $200.
DeWine called the compromise imperfect but better than no action at all. He has since urged the NFL and other leagues to adopt similar restrictions.
Even if leagues move independently, DeWine said he would still support legislation banning prop bets in Ohio. So far, lawmakers have shown little interest in advancing new restrictions before he leaves office early next year.
Other Gambling Expansion Efforts Have Stalled
In 2025, state legislators briefly considered legalizing additional forms of online gambling and digital lottery products to help fund an income‑tax cut. The proposal was ultimately abandoned after opposition from DeWine and key lawmakers, with the tax cut instead funded through spending reductions and the elimination of certain state taxes.
