The Republican governor, who championed the effort when it passed in 2021, now finds himself among the most vocal critics of how the industry has evolved. In recent weeks, betting probes have ensnared two Cleveland Guardians pitchers and an Ohio-born guard for the Miami Heat, reigniting debate over the risks of legal wagering’s explosive growth.
“What we’re seeing is exactly what I was afraid of — sports and gambling becoming far too intertwined,” DeWine said during a press availability at the Statehouse on Monday. “If I had a do-over, I wouldn’t sign that bill.”
Ohio launched legal sports betting in January 2023, joining more than 30 states in embracing the industry after a 2018 Supreme Court ruling allowed wagering nationwide. Since then, operators have flooded the airwaves with promotions, while the state’s regulators have scrambled to keep pace with compliance concerns and player-protection measures.
DeWine now says his administration is moving to tighten restrictions, particularly on “prop bets,” or wagers on individual player performances. Critics—including college athletic leaders and gambling addiction advocates—argue that prop betting exposes athletes to undue pressure and harassment from bettors angry over lost wagers.
Earlier this month, DeWine directed the Ohio Casino Control Commission to explore new limits on such bets, saying he won’t stop at partial reforms. “This isn’t about tinkering,” he said. “It’s about protecting integrity—of the games, of the players, and frankly, of the public.”
Industry groups warn that limiting bet types too strictly could push bettors back to illegal offshore markets. But lawmakers from both parties have signaled willingness to revisit the 2021 law, citing a lack of foresight on how legalized sports gambling might infiltrate locker rooms and college campuses.
As investigations continue, DeWine’s change of heart marks a rare moment of repentance from one of the early architects of Ohio’s sports betting boom—one he now worries may have been built on shaky moral ground.
