Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine Has Buyer’s Remorse With Sports Betting

Posted on: January 30, 2026, 12:21h. 

Last updated on: January 30, 2026, 12:47h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.
  • Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine wishes he hadn’t signed sports betting into law
  • DeWine signed sports gambling legislation in December 2021
  • The Republican says sports betting has increased gambling problems, particularly amongst young men

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) is in the final year of his governorship. As the calendar ticks nearer his exit, the term-limited Republican is beginning to reflect on his eight years in office.

Mike DeWine sports betting Ohio
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine waves to attendees at the Ohio Auctioneers Association’s annual conference on Jan. 9, 2026. DeWine has regrets about signing sports betting into law in December 2021. DeWine’s run as governor of the Buckeye State ends in January 2027. (Image: Governor Mike DeWine)

This week, DeWine sat down with the editorial board of Cleveland.com/The Plain Dealer to discuss the highs and lows of his tenure. The former state attorney general revealed that he has regrets about signing Ohio’s sports betting law in 2021.

“People have asked me, ‘What mistakes did you make?’ And I’ll lead with signing a bill for sports gaming,” DeWine said.

It’s a huge problem among young males up to 45. We have many of them addicted, many of them spending money that they do not have,” DeWine conceded.

This isn’t the first time the governor has expressed remorse about sports betting. In November, DeWine told the Associated Press that sports betting was a bad bet.

“We’ve always had gambling, but the power of these companies and the deep, deep, deep pockets they have to advertise and do everything they can to get someone to place that bet is really different,” DeWine said. “Ohio absolutely shouldn’t have done sports betting.”

Ohio Sports Betting Law 

DeWine’s December 2021 signing of House Bill 29 legalized mobile sportsbooks and in-person sports betting at casinos, racinos, sports stadiums, and bars and restaurants that hold liquor and lottery licenses.  

Today, numerous sportsbooks are operational in the Buckeye State, including DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics, Hard Rock Bet, Caesars Sportsbook, and BetMGM. Last year, Ohioans bet more than $10 billion on sports, a new record, losing almost $1 billion to the oddsmakers.

Ohio takes 10% of the gross revenue, meaning the state benefited from sports betting to the tune of roughly $100 million in 2025. Ohio’s budget for its 2025 fiscal year was more than $100 billion.

Ohio for Responsible Gambling, a government program supported by four state agencies — the Ohio Lottery Commission, Ohio Casino Control Commission, Ohio State Racing Commission, and Ohio Department of Behavioral Health — has reported a significant increase in the number of calls to its gambling helpline since sports betting became legal. 

2026 Odds

Traders on prediction market Kalshi give the Republican candidate the best odds of winning the 2026 gubernatorial election in Ohio. Shares of a GOP win are currently trading at 64 cents.

Former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is the betting favorite for the Republican ticket, with his shares trading at 91 cents. Northwest Ohio small business owner Casey Putsch is a distant second at 7 cents.

On the Democratic side, Dr. Amy Acton is nearly a sure thing, with her shares trading at 95 cents in securing the party’s ticket. Acton is the former director of the Ohio Department of Health.