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Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is making one of the bluntest public reversals we’ve seen from a sitting governor on regulated betting: he says signing the bill that legalised sports wagering in Ohio was his biggest mistake in seven years in office.
DeWine made the comment on Wednesday during a sit-down with the cleveland.com / The Plain Dealer editorial board, saying he now leads any “mistakes” conversation with his decision to approve sports gaming.
His core concern was the potential, and actual, harm it had caused to citizens, according to his statement. DeWine pointed directly to what he described as a major problem among younger men, warning about addiction and people spending money they don’t have.
From signature to launch: what DeWine signed
DeWine signed Ohio’s sports betting bill, House Bill 29, in December 2021. That law required wagering to be available by 1 January 2023, which became the statewide launch date for both retail and online betting.
In other words, his criticism was on point, as this is a proposal he fully backed. Ohio sports betting exists because he put his name on it.
Why he’s turned so hard against it
DeWine’s change in tone has been building for a while, but it’s getting stronger as betting-related integrity stories keep popping up across U.S. sports.
In late 2025, DeWine told the Associated Press he “absolutely” regrets signing the law, saying the marketing is everywhere and sportsbooks can keep nudging people to wager around the clock. In local coverage from that same period, he again called the legislation a mistake and expressed concerns about integrity and the fallout from betting-related controversies.
No immediate panic from operators and regulators
DeWine can’t rewind legalisation on his own, and a full repeal would be politically brutal. But with his heavy stance, it adds weight to the “limit the riskiest bet types” argument that’s gaining traction nationally, especially around micro-betting and certain prop markets that can encourage fast, repetitive wagering.
If Ohio’s governor is publicly calling legal sports betting a mistake, the practical outcome isn’t likely to be an overnight shutdown. The more realistic next move is another push by lawmakers for restrictions. Better guardrails on products, stronger responsible gambling measures, and closer scrutiny of advertising and promotions.
Source: Cleveland
