5 days ago
Central Ohio Republican lawmaker vows to push back on DeWine effort to ban prop bets
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A central Ohio Republican lawmaker is vowing to push back on Gov. Mike DeWine's efforts to ban prop bets for professional sports.
Rep. Brian Stewart (R-Ashville) said prop bets should not be banned in Ohio. A prop bet is a form of sports wagering where people can bet on specific events within a game, such as how many passing touchdowns an NFL player will have or if an MLB player will hit a home run.
'Ohio legalized sports betting with bipartisan support,' Steward wrote in a post on X. 'It's a popular activity that adults should be free to enjoy. Prop bets are a big part of that plus they make up a substantial % of Ohio's tax revenue. They should not be banned & I'll be working to make sure they aren't.'
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Stewart said Ohio has made $359 million in state tax revenue on sports gaming since January 2023.
DeWine called on the Ohio Casino Control Commission to ban prop bets in Ohio after two Cleveland Guardians pitchers were placed on leave as part of a gambling investigation. DeWine also cited increasing threats to athletes.
'The harm to athletes and the integrity of the game is clear, and the benefits are not worth the harm,' DeWine said in a statement. 'The prop betting experiment in this country has failed badly.'
In a statement to NBC4, the commission said it works closely with DeWine's office and the general assembly to protect the integrity of gambling.
'To that end, staff is gathering information for the Commission to consider,' a spokesperson said. 'The Commission with announce its next steps in the upcoming days.'
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Previous rules removed prop betting from college sporting events, but those rules do not apply to professional sports. Stewart also replied that he would like to see prop bets be allowed for college sports again, but said he doesn't see that happening with the 'current leadership in the executive branch.'
'I think it's a bit silly that Ohio State's QB can be paid more than $1 million each season but you can't bet $5 on whether he throws 1 touchdown or 2,' he said in a follow-up social media post.
NBC4 has reached out to Stewart's office for additional comment.
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