Ohio Governor: Legalizing Sports Betting is 'Biggest Regret'
Published:
Feb 12, 2026
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05:21 p.m.
ET
In today’s American leadership landscape, it is a rare thing to hear a sitting executive admit to a massive miscalculation when it comes to public policy. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine may have just entered the last year of his term as governor, but he has not been shy about vocalizing his disdain for the state of Ohio’s online sports betting market, and the role he had in shaping it.
DeWine recently sat down for a chat to reflect on his tenure. Before discussions shifted to the incursion of ICE in Ohio, the conversation turned toward the digital betting craze that has swept the Buckeye State. DeWine labeled the legalization of sports betting as his "biggest regret" as governor.
24/7 access to gambling via smartphones has created a reality that DeWine admits he simply did not see coming. The frictionless nature of modern wagering, where a bet can be placed in seconds from a couch, combined with overwhelmingly pervasive marketing, has led to a surge in addiction rates and a detrimental swing in how Ohioans, particularly young men, interact with sports.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine regrets legalizing sports betting
Governor DeWine’s admission of fault is a striking piece of political candor. He noted that he underestimated how damaging the industry would become, specifically pointing to the sheer volume of aggressive advertising that has flooded televisions and mobile devices.
He didn’t see that part coming, and he put the onus on himself, acknowledging that the guardrails initially put in place were insufficient to manage the tidal wave that followed.
His concerns envelop financial loss to bettors and the psychological toll of a "non-stop" betting environment. The Governor highlighted that when gambling is no longer confined to a physical casino but lives in a person's pocket, the risk of people "betting money they don't have" skyrockets. In his fifth and final year as governor, DeWine has suggested that if he could go back in time, the bill would look very different, or perhaps wouldn't exist at all.
History of sports betting legalization in Ohio
For much of the 20th century, Ohio was conservative regarding wagers, with the 1973 Lottery and 1975 charitable bingo being the only major exceptions. 2009 marked a dramatic shift with the passage of Issue 3, bringing casinos to Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Toledo.
Following the 2018 Supreme Court decision that struck down the federal ban on sports wagering, Ohio lawmakers spent several years debating the framework before DeWine eventually signed House Bill 29 in December 2021. The market officially launched on January 1, 2023, and the response was overwhelming.
In its first year alone, Ohioans wagered more than $7.5 billion. While the state initially celebrated the tax revenue that was originally intended to fund education and problem gambling programs, social costs became more rampant than anticipated.
Sports betting controversies in Ohio
Some of the consequences of sports betting have directly impacted the integrity of professional sports in Ohio. In late 2025, Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase, a three-time All-Star regarded as one of the game’s most elite closers, and Luis Ortiz, were indicted on federal charges, including wire fraud and conspiracy to influence sporting contests.
Prosecutors alleged a scheme where the pitchers rigged specific "micro-bets", such as the outcome of their first pitch to a hitter in a new at-bat, to benefit an inner circle of bettors. DeWine noted that if fans stop believing the game is fair, the whole thing collapses.
Additionally, after student-athletes at the University of Dayton received gambling-related threats, Ohio became a leader in banning college player prop bets to shield young athletes from harassment.
Gambling addiction treatment options in Ohio today
When a state governor speaks out like this, the words help shift the focus from prevention to harm reduction and recovery. Demand for services has risen sharply across the state, and the infrastructure for support is more critical than ever.
Advocates worry that a future reduction in funding could decrease care convenience, eliminate outreach programs and limit access for those who need help most.
The good news is that Birches Health is available everywhere in Ohio, providing specialized online gambling addiction treatment to residents from Cleveland to Cincinnati. Care is accessible confidentially from the comfort of home and is frequently covered by insurance.
Online treatment options with Birches Health include:
One-on-One Therapy: Individualized sessions with licensed, certified counselors specializing in impulse control.
Clinician-Led Group Therapy: Structured support and accountability in a confidential setting.
Peer Support: Connecting with others who have navigated similar paths to recovery.
Family and Couples Counseling: Healing the relationships often strained by gambling behaviors.
If you, your child, or someone you love is struggling with the pressures of sports betting, help is available now. You don't have to face this alone.
Call 833-483-3838
Email help@bircheshealth.com
