No Action on Ohio Sweeps Ban in 2025, Says Speaker
HB298 Stalls, Keeping Ohio Open for Sweeps—for Now
Efforts to ban sweepstakes casinos in Ohio appear to be dead in the water for 2025. According to House Speaker Matt Huffman, there’s little appetite for further gambling expansion or restriction this legislative session.
The proposed House Bill 298 would have banned sweepstakes casinos as part of a broader push to legalize real-money online casinos in the state. But Speaker Huffman said last week that he sees no movement ahead, citing market saturation.
“There’s a group of people who don’t gamble. There’s a group of people who do,” Huffman said. “Maybe some people participate in different ways.”
HB298: A Dual Threat to Sweeps and iGaming
HB298 proposed a ban on “online sweepstakes games” that use a dual-currency system—the backbone of social sweepstakes casinos like WOW Vegas, Stake.us, and Fortune Coins.
The bill also targeted games simulating gambling, such as lottery-style games, bingo, horse racing, and slots. But it’s seen zero legislative activity since its May 21 introduction.
While this effectively keeps Ohio sweeps-friendly through the end of 2025, it doesn’t stop state regulators from issuing cease-and-desist orders at any time.
Gov. DeWine Not Backing Expansion Either
Governor Mike DeWine echoed Speaker Huffman’s stance during the summer, stating bluntly:
“I’m not for it. Basically, to put a casino in everybody’s hands 24/7… is probably not a great idea.”
DeWine also rejected efforts to expand gambling terminals in bars and restaurants, calling the state’s current offerings “enough.”
Why Ohio Matters More Than Ever
With California officially exiting sweeps on January 1, 2026, and New Jersey already off-limits since June, Ohio remains one of the few top-tier markets still in play.
It ranks as the 7th most populous U.S. state, and most major sweeps casinos still operate there. With Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New York either hostile or uncertain, Ohio’s continued availability is crucial for the industry.
The current top active markets for sweeps include:
Ohio also benefits from having legal online sports betting, making its residents more familiar with digital gaming platforms unlike Texas and Georgia, where such access is limited.
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