OPINION: Game On, Ohio.
Mike Sylvester, owner of Hide-A-Way Buffalo Grill in Canton, Ohio stands by a sports betting kiosk, Dec. 2022. Photo by Julie Vennitti Botos, The Canton Repository.
Zach Donaldson is a sophomore studying political science and an opinion writer for The New Political.
Please note that these views and opinions do not reflect those of The New Political.
Despite not having a team in this year's Super Bowl, Ohio saw a lot of winners and losers. With this year’s implementation of House Bill 29, a bill to legalize sports betting online and at brick and mortar locations, Ohioans had their first chance to gamble on the outcome of the game, with over 12.8 million transactions placed.
But as stories of broken televisions, multi-thousand dollar losses and budding addictions dominate the forefront, it is easy to wonder whether the state made the right move.
Like many hobbies, sports betting in excess can become a vice. However, moderated, regulated and responsible play can provide a fun outlet for fans and a steady stream of revenue for the state. With its inevitable rise nationally and an array of benefits, legalizing sports betting was a sound decision for Ohio and should continue to expand across the country.
The potential capital of the industry cannot be denied. The global sports betting market was valued at $83.65 billion in 2022 and only stood to rise, with predictions of it reaching up to $129 billion in five years. Early estimates have Ohio as a large chunk of that share–$9 to 12 billion–and the state's 10% tax will rake in hundreds of million of dollars in its own right. Those funds can be redirected towards bolstering infrastructure, public education, combatting homelessness and a slew of other reforms to the social safety net. The need for abundant resources to ensure the safety and general welfare of Ohioans has never been more apparent with the Norfolk Southern derailment. It would be irresponsible for the state to block any easy revenue source for aid.
Furthermore, it is not likely that we will see the buck stop with Ohio. Public support for sports betting has risen tremendously in the past few years, with a recent Washington Post-University of Maryland poll finding that 66% of Americans approve of the practice being legalized. The continued expansion and marketing of games provide all the more incentive for new players to join the fray, promising a fun medium to spend money.
Max Brunke, a senior studying journalism at Ohio University, got the chance to place his first bet on the Super Bowl this year and notes that Ohio is lucky to have hopped on the trend.
"Sports betting is quite literally just getting started. I believe it'll sweep the entire nation in due time, and it'll be normalized in stadiums across all kinds of sports,” Brunke said.“Ohio is honestly lucky to be one of the first to enable sports betting, ahead of the game."
Without question, concern for increased gambling addiction is a serious factor to consider. However, much like the decriminalization and legalization of marijuana and other substances, legalization and harm reduction tactics could be effective tools to destigmatize and treat these problems head-on. Some of the biggest deterrents for those seeking help are the shame and guilt associated with addiction. Providing them a reasonable legal medium for harm reduction, whether that is facilitating access or limiting wagers, could begin to crack this barrier.
Sports gambling will continue to take place whether state governments choose to recognize it or not. Legalization provides a path for revenue and destigmatization. So I say to Ohioans, “game on.” House Bill 29 was a bet worth taking.
