Ohio Lottery
Former Ohio Lottery Commissioner resigned amid inappropriate texts to employee
In the days before he resigned immediately for medical reasons, Ohio Lottery Commissioner Pat McDonald denied allegations of unwanted behavior, including “text messages expressing inappropriate fondness and innuendo toward two employees” and “unwanted touching of two employees,” according to an administrative review of human resources issues at the commission obtained by OCJ/WEWS. The commission also […]
What changes do Ohio budget drafters have in mind for sports betting?
Sports betting went live in Ohio just five months ago. But lawmakers are already wrangling over small tweaks and big changes for the industry in the state budget. Ohio established its sports gaming system in late 2021, but it didn’t go live until Jan. 1 this year. One of the chief questions lawmakers had to […]
Cranley calls for lottery commission oversight of sports betting
Democratic gubernatorial hopeful John Cranley is calling on state lawmakers to abandon a sports betting measure that has already passed the Senate, and instead establish sports gaming under the Ohio Lottery Commission’s existing authority. Cranley argues that approach would avoid a lengthy court battle and make more funding available for public schools. The Cincinnati mayor […]
New bill proposes legal sports betting at Ohio casinos, lotto retailers
Ohioans may soon have the opportunity to place legal sports bets at casino properties, lottery retailers and possibly even in sports arenas. Lawmakers formally introduced a highly-anticipated proposal to legalize sports gambling in the state. The legislation will move quickly and members expressed hope it could be passed as early as next month. Senate Bill […]
Ohio’s professional sports teams want in on legalized sports betting
Ohio’s professional sports teams are in favor of legalized sports gambling and want in on the action. A coalition of eight pro teams (plus the Memorial Golf Tournament in Dublin) announced support for a legislative effort to legalize sports gambling in the state. A group of lawmakers spent the early months of 2021 hearing testimony […]
Lotto and toll drop-offs show people are staying home
Are you feeling lucky? Even if so, you might have a tougher time finding a lottery ticket these days with some retailers closed during the pandemic-caused shutdown. This is leading to smaller lottery payouts — just one example of the way COVID-19 has affected the government’s coffers in recent months. The Ohio Capital Journal looked […]
Teachers union funds books for Ohio schools, urges State to do the same
What would you do with your piece of a $50,000 grant to help bring back Ohio’s school libraries? Teachers in a Parma school hope to educate middle schoolers about dyslexia, to better understand the challenge some fellow students face. Teachers in Franklin County want to provide bilingual books and expose students to a more diverse […]