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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Examining the Ohio Senate bill that would legalize and tax internet gambling
CLEVELAND (WJW) — Legislators in the Ohio Senate are considering the conditions of a proposed piece of legislation that would legalize and tax internet gambling. In a nutshell, it would allow users to gamble on table games like blackjack or poker, or on digital slots, which could create a large pot of taxable revenue. Senate Bill 197 was introduced by Nathan Manning of District 13, a large portion of our viewing area west of Cleveland. Kent State to close LGBTQ+, women's, multicultural centers It would create two new forms of gambling: iGaming and iLottery — functions possible through the internet or smartphone applications. This could create large revenue for casinos or other online gaming websites and, in turn, tax revenue that would go back into the general fund or other designations still being considered. The bill currently sits in Senate committee, where opinions are mixed. 'With iGaming, you can sit on your back patio and lose all your money,' Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman said. 'And for addicts, that's a problem.' 'I think a lot of times Ohioans want to have a little bit more choice as to how they spend their money and spend their recreational time,' Ohio Senate President Rob McColley said. 'Not everyone is affected by addiction, and for some people it is recreational,' Ohio Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio said. 'But I think we all always need to have an awareness.' In fiscal year 2024, gross casino tax revenues were more than $330 million across the state. That money goes to various funds benefiting counties, schools, host cities and more. Lawmakers are also split on dedicating tax revenue to gambling addiction services. Recovery resources in Cuyahoga County said there's already a growing need. 'In Cuyahoga County alone, we have enough people to fill Browns Stadium and have people standing outside who are middle risk or have a disorder for problem gambling,' said Nora Larson, supervisor of prevention for recovery resources. Some taxpayers may receive tax refunds in June: When payments could arrive Larson said that estimate was calculated before sports betting was legalized. She said having table games or slots at your fingertips could be problematic. 'So some people, similar to alcohol, can have one drink and be okay,' Larson said. 'Some people can gamble with friends and be okay. Some people can't. Some people need to keep going.' Governor Mike DeWine's office said the governor has no stance on the proposed legislation. Both JACK Casino and MGM Northfield Park declined to comment for this story. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ohio lawmakers introduce separate bills to regulate online gambling
Stock photo from Getty Images. Ohio Republican lawmakers in the state House and the Senate have introduced separate bills that would legalize online gambling. Ohio state Sen. Nathan Manning, R-North Ridgeville, introduced Ohio Senate Bill 197 last week and Ohio state Reps. Brian Stewart, R-Ashville, and Marilyn John, R-Richland County, introduced Ohio House Bill 298 this week. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX There is overlap with the bills. Both pieces of legislation would regulate online gambling through the Ohio Casino Control Commission and internet gambling would start by March 31. Nearly all of the tax proceeds from internet gambling would go to the state's general revenue fund and 1% would go to the Problem Gambling Fund. Both bills only allow an Ohio casino or racino to be licensed as an internet gambling operator. Someone would have to be at least 21 and physically in Ohio to participate in internet gambling. The lawmakers behind these bills say Ohioans are already participating illegally in online gambling. 'It is important to highlight that online gambling is already occurring in the state of Ohio,' Manning said during his sponsor testimony last week in the Senate Select Committee on Gaming. 'It is difficult to quantify an exact number, but it is clear there is significant illegal online gambling going on in the state, as there was illegal sports betting before it was legalized.' Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia all have legalized online gambling. The 700-page bill would authorize three types of online gambling — internet gambling, iLottery, and online betting on horse racing. The bill levies a 36% tax on an operator's internet gambling receipts. There would be a $50 million initial fee and a $5 million renewal fee for Ohio casinos and racinos. Manning predicts this could generate at least $500 million per year for Ohio. S.B. 197 would move all Ohio gambling regulations under the Ohio Casino Control Commission. This would nix the State Racing Commission and the Casino Control Commission would take over their responsibilities. Ohio Sen. Bill DeMora, D-Columbus, questioned the horse racing aspect of the bill. 'I don't think the Casino Control Commissioner knows anything about how to regulate horse racing,' he said. In response, Ryan Soultz, vice president of governmental affairs for Boyd Gaming Corporation, said other states have found a way to have one regulatory body that oversees both. Trevor Hayes, vice president of government relations for Caesars Digital, supports the bill. 'Our experience shows that regulated iGaming provides a significant new source of state tax revenue, provides consumers with a strictly regulated and fair gaming option, and protects vulnerable populations,' he said this week to the Senate Select Committee on Gaming. When compared to the senate bill, H.B. 298 is smaller in scope. It would not allow online Ohio Lottery games nor would it legalize online betting on horse racing. 'This bill would authorize Ohio to take the next logical step in generating state revenue by authorizing internet gambling in the state of Ohio,' Stewart said this week to the House Finance Committee. 'It's reasonable to take the next logical step, technological step, and allow Ohioans to play these games online, as well as in person.' The bill would impose a 28% tax on internet gambling receipts, which is the same as Michigan. Stewart and John estimate this could general between $400-$800 million a year in revenue. 'There's a lot of things that we want to do in the state of Ohio that require increased revenues,' John said. 'This is one way that we can go about expanding the consumer base of players who prefer an online setting.' Democratic lawmakers raised concerns in committee that this could lead to more people under 21 participating illegally in online gambling. 'If we can bring regulations to this market, then it is my feeling that we will be able to help, hopefully, curb the underage participation,' John said. There are more than 250,000 problem gamblers in Ohio and 1 in 5 problem gamblers attempt suicide, said Ohio state Rep. Dani Isaacsohn, D-Cincinnati. This data is from the 2022 Ohio Gambling Survey. 'Where is the line?' Isaacsohn asked. 'At what point do we say this isn't worth it anymore, that it's not worth the additional revenue that could fund a tax cut or a stadium or whatever else it goes towards.' John said regulating online gaming could help put measures in place to help people 'before they get to the point of making a decision that they can't return from.' Follow Capital Journal Reporter Megan Henry on Bluesky. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bill raises marijuana limit for OVI charges in Ohio
[Watch related FOX 8 News coverage in the player above.] COLUMBUS, Ohio (WJW) — A new state Senate bill would give Ohio drivers who may have recently consumed cannabis — but who are not under the influence — more leeway under state OVI limits, acknowledging that recent use doesn't always indicate impairment. Senate Bill 55, introduced late last month by state Sen. Nathan Manning of North Ridgeville, R-13th, changes the evidentiary standard by which state law enforcement officers determine whether a person is driving while under the influence of THC, and raises the concentration limit that would trigger an automatic citation. 'With medical and recreational marijuana use legalized in Ohio, under current law, marijuana users could be convicted of an OVI even if they are not under the influence,' Manning testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee earlier this week. Ohio marijuana sales continue to grow one month into 2025 'This is because inactive marijuana metabolites can remain in a person's system for up to 30 days. Someone who last used marijuana as long as a month ago can fail a drug test for metabolites and be guilty of OVI without any way to prove their sobriety. Even a single use of marijuana can cause a person to fail a drug test for as long as three days afterward.' Right now, the state only tests drivers for inactive metabolites from cannabis, which can stay in a person's system for days or weeks after consumption, Manning said. The bill amends state code to 'reflect the science of impairment,' he said. According to a Legislative Service Commission analysis, under current state law, a driver is considered to be operating a vehicle under the influence if they: Are under the influence of marijuana or a combination of alcohol and marijuana Have a concentration of at least 10 nanograms of marijuana per milliliter of urine or at least 2 nanograms per milliliter of blood, blood serum or plasma Are under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse or a combination and have at least 15 nanograms of a marijuana metabolite per milliliter of urine or at least 5 nanograms per milliliter of blood, blood serum or plasma Have a concentration of at least 35 nanograms of a marijuana metabolite per milliliter of urine or at least 50 nanograms per milliliter of blood, blood serum or plasma The bill would raise the legal blood-level limit of Delta-9 THC — the psychoactive chemical in cannabis — from 2 nanograms per milliliter to 5 nanograms per milliliter. It also removes the above metabolite limits as well as the testing standards for urine, blood serum and plasma from state law, but leaves the standard for whole blood tests. The bill instead establishes a new evidentiary standard for officers to infer if someone is under the influence of marijuana: A driver would have to have at least 25 nanograms of delta-9 THC per milliliter of urine or between 2 and 5 nanograms of delta-9 THC per milliliter of blood. Under the bill, the inferences may still be disputed in court, as can the method and reliability of the test or the equipment used — just as in a drunk driving citation. A measurement above 5 nanograms per milliliter of blood would be an automatic citation — what's called a 'pro se' or 'by itself' offense. How Ohio lawmakers are trying to change marijuana rules The bill is now before the Senate's Judiciary Committee and had its first hearing on Wednesday, Feb. 19. Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers have been trained since 2011 to detect impairment from not just alcohol but also marijuana, patrol Sgt. Bridget Matt told FOX 8 News in November. At the end of the last General Assembly, lawmakers allowed law enforcement agencies to use saliva tests to determine impairment, Manning testified on Wednesday. Lawmakers are now working with experts to determine the proper limits authorities should use to infer impairment or that would trigger an automatic citation. Manning cited a 2017 congressional report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that stated it's 'impossible' to determine how impaired a person is based on how much THC is in their system. That's because of how the substance is metabolized in the body. 'After working with experts and interested parties to find a compromise, we did our best to come up with what we think is an appropriate per se level, though many in the scientific community do not believe per se levels are always appropriate in these types of cases,' Manning testified. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ohio lawmakers look to increase THC limits for driving
Photo by WEWS. A new bill in Ohio would double the amount of THC a driver can have in their system. Recreational marijuana is now widely available for adults across Ohio, but state Sen. Nathan Manning, R-North Ridgeville, said laws are outdated and negatively impacting innocent drivers. 'Whether you like it or not, marijuana is legal,' the Republican, a former prosecutor, said. 'We don't want to punish people for doing something that's legal.' In November 2023, voters overwhelmingly passed Issue 2 — which allowed adults 21 years of age and older to smoke, vape, and ingest weed. Individual Ohioans are able to grow up to six plants with up to 12 per household. Dispensaries have been able to sell recreationally since Aug. 6, 2024. 'Marijuana users could be convicted of an OVI even if they are not under the influence,' Manning continued, referencing the crime of operating a vehicle impaired. THC, the psychoactive substance in cannabis, can remain in your system for weeks without affecting you. Case Western Reserve University medical law professor Sharona Hoffman explained that drug tests aren't always practical with timing. They can show inactive metabolites, which may not accurately show impairment. 'If you have a tiny bit of marijuana in your body, you may be able to still drive safely,' Hoffman said. 'So we need experts to determine at what level you really become a danger on the roads.' Research compiled by Healthline shows that cannabis can be detected: • In blood for up to 12 hours unless you are a 'chronic heavy user,' showing it has been detected for 30 days. • In saliva for up to 24 hours unless you use it frequently, which could lead to detection at 72 hours. • In urine for three to 30 days, depending on usage. • In hair follicles for up to 90 days, no matter usage. This is why Manning introduced Senate Bill 55, which would double the amount of THC a driver can have in their system. Although he is the sole sponsor of it, numerous lawmakers on each side of the aisle said they would support it. This bill changes the 'per se' and 'evidentiary' criminal amounts related to THC. Per se, in this context, means that if law enforcement finds a certain amount, it's automatically a violation of law. The bill also talks about evidentiary standards or inferences, so if police find a specific amount, the judge can infer a violation even though it's not automatic. Right now, a driver will be arrested for two nanograms of THC per milliliter in their blood or 10 nanograms in urine. Working with medical experts, Manning proposed raising the amount from two nanograms of THC in a person's blood to 5 nanograms. The bill takes away the measurement in the urine count for an automatic violation, instead making a new evidentiary standard of 25 nanograms. In English, this means that if someone has 25 nanograms of THC in their urine, prosecutors can argue to a judge that they were intoxicated. 'It's just not accurate for recent usage,' Manning said. The bill also says that the same evidentiary argument could be made for someone who has between two but less than five nanograms in their blood. Law enforcement officials say that this could make their jobs harder. 'Our concern is always public safety first,' Jay McDonald with the Fraternal Order of Police said. 'We don't believe that increasing the levels of marijuana you're allowed to have in your system is conducive to increasing public safety.' Prosecuting Attorneys Association's Lou Tobin added that deciding the amount of THC that actually causes impairment for each person will be tough. 'Certainly, we don't condone people driving while they're intoxicated,' Tobin said. 'We don't condone people driving while there's marijuana in their system.' But a new, quicker way to determine high drivers is in progress. Last year, Ohio lawmakers passed a bill to allow police to use rapid roadside saliva testing. But it isn't widely available — and Tobin said it will come at a price. 'We need more money for enforcement,' he said. 'Law enforcement needs to update their technology to do improved testing of marijuana-impaired driving.' Manning said he plans to work with experts and police to ensure safety matters more than the cost since these tests will cost local governments or the state money. 'I certainly would support trying to find funding to help, whether it's the troopers or local law enforcement, get those tests available,' the Republican said. Tobin had another idea, one that many legislators agree with. 'I think using a portion of the [marijuana tax] funds to pay for law enforcement and to protect our roadways should be a priority,' he said. Currently, the Ohio legislature is debating whether to dramatically change marijuana policy. One of the changes would be to revise the tax and revenue structures. Manning has also been working for years on other legislation to help expunge low-level marijuana convictions. In this bill, helping prevent innocent people from facing OVIs and easing the load on law enforcement is his goal. 'I think law enforcement is probably seeing an uptick in usage, obviously, — that's normal with it being legalized,' the lawmaker said. '[Police are] doing a really good job of trying to weed out those situations where they might have a suspicion somebody uses marijuana.' Follow WEWS statehouse reporter Morgan Trau on X and Facebook. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
