Ohio set to become 18th state to regulate DFS
Bill H 132 sent to Governor John Kasich for approval after sailing through the legislature
The Ohio legislature has passed a daily fantasy bill which would make the state the eighteenth to pass DFS legislation.
Bill H 132 was sent to Governor John Kasich on Tuesday, who is expected to sign it into law.
The bill is considered pro-industry, with a sliding scale on licence fees up to a maximum of $10,000 and no specific operational taxes.
It also includes the now-standard consumer protections, including age verification, self-exclusion, and segregation of funds.
Ohio, which has a population of 11.6 million would become on the largest states in the US to regulate DFS, behind only New York and Pennsylvania.
The legislation passed the House by a massive 86 votes to 3, thanks in part to support from the Cleveland Indians, Columbus Crew and Cincinnati Reds as well as the Fantasy Sports Trade Association.
Peter Schoenke, chairman of the FSTA, said in testimony that just under 1.9 million Ohioans participate in fantasy sports contests each year.
“States have shown that fantasy sports is an activity that can be regulated to ensure a fair and balanced playing field,” he said.