To amend sections 718.031, 2915.01, 2915.02, 2915.07, 2915.09, 2915.091, 2915.093, 2915.094, 2915.10, 2915.101, 2915.13, 2915.14, 3770.06, 3770.99, 5739.02, 5747.064, 5753.01, 5753.04, 5753.05, 5753.07, 5753.08, and 5753.12 and to enact sections 3770.31, 3770.32, 3770.33, 3770.34, 3770.35, 3770.36, 3770.37, 3770.38, 3770.39, 3770.40, 3770.41, 5753.022, and 5753.032 of the Revised Code to expand the locations and manner in which electronic instant bingo may be conducted, to authorize and establish regulations for retailer video lottery terminals, and to levy a tax on electronic instant bingo.
HB344 would substantially expand Ohio’s legalized gaming framework in three main ways. First, it broadens where and how electronic instant bingo may be offered, including by charitable instant bingo organizations, veteran’s organizations, fraternal organizations, and sporting organizations, and it creates a new regulatory structure for electronic instant bingo systems, hosts, distributors, reporting, licensing, and enforcement. Second, it authorizes a new category of gaming device called retailer video lottery terminals, establishes licensing and operational rules for manufacturers, distributors, operators, and establishments, and places those terminals under state oversight. Third, it creates a new tax on electronic instant bingo and directs the resulting revenue into new state funds for arts, sports facilities, veterans, and administration.
The bill also revises existing gambling, bingo, lottery, sales tax, municipal income tax, and income tax provisions to fit these new gaming categories. It adds withholding and reporting rules for municipal income tax and state income tax on winnings from casino gaming, sports gaming, video lottery terminals, and retailer video lottery terminals, and it treats electronic instant bingo sales and retailer video lottery terminals as taxable transactions under the sales tax code. It further preempts local regulation of retailer video lottery terminals, reserving regulatory authority to the state lottery commission and the Ohio Casino Control Commission, while preserving local income tax withholding on winnings where applicable.
If enacted, HB344 would create a new legal market for retailer video lottery terminals and expand the lawful conduct of electronic instant bingo beyond the current framework. It would impose detailed licensing, inspection, surveillance, recordkeeping, and anti-tampering requirements on gaming operators and establishments, while also creating new enforcement tools, penalties, and license suspension authority. The bill would also establish new state revenue streams and dedicated funds tied to electronic instant bingo taxation and would amend several existing statutes governing charitable gaming and lottery-related taxation.
The general sentiment reflected in the bill materials is that the proposal is expansionary and regulatory rather than prohibitive: it seeks to legalize and structure additional gaming activity while adding tax and compliance controls. Because there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes provided, there is no documented public debate in the supplied materials to show support or opposition. Based on the text alone, the bill appears designed to open new revenue opportunities for charitable and commercial gaming participants while ensuring state-level oversight and tax collection.
The main points of contention likely to arise from the bill are the expansion of gambling opportunities, the introduction of retailer video lottery terminals, and the extent to which the state should preempt local control. Potential concerns include whether the new devices resemble slot machines, whether expanded electronic instant bingo could compete with or blur existing charitable gaming rules, and whether the new tax and licensing regime is sufficient to prevent abuse. The bill’s detailed restrictions on advertising, age limits, surveillance, and reporting suggest an effort to address those concerns, but the scope of legalization itself is likely to be the central issue.
HB344 would amend multiple sections of the Revised Code to legalize and regulate retailer video lottery terminals, expand electronic instant bingo, and impose a new tax on electronic instant bingo. It would create new licensing, operational, enforcement, and confidentiality provisions for the new gaming category, and it would add new tax collection and withholding rules for municipal income tax, state income tax, and sales tax. The bill also preempts local regulation of retailer video lottery terminals, while preserving municipal income tax withholding on winnings and creating dedicated state funds for electronic instant bingo tax revenue.
No committee testimony or vote history was provided, so there is no recorded public sentiment in the supplied materials. From the bill text itself, the proposal appears to be a pro-expansion, pro-regulation measure: it authorizes new gaming activity and new revenue sources while layering in detailed oversight, reporting, and enforcement requirements. The overall tone is permissive but tightly controlled.
The likely areas of contention are the expansion of gambling, especially the authorization of retailer video lottery terminals, and the legalization of broader electronic instant bingo operations. Opponents may object to the similarity of the terminals to slot machines, the potential social impacts of expanded gaming, and the bill’s preemption of local regulation. Supporters are likely to emphasize charitable fundraising opportunities, state revenue, and the bill’s extensive compliance and anti-fraud safeguards.