Ohio HB971: Enact the Save Ohio Sports Act

What the bill says

To amend sections 718.031, 718.08, 3123.89, 3123.90, 3770.03, 3770.06, 3770.07, 3770.071, 3770.073, 3770.10, 3772.01, 3772.02, 3775.01, 3775.02, 3775.03, 3775.04, 3775.041, 3775.051, 3775.06, 3775.09, 3775.10, 3775.12, 3775.14, 3775.15, 3775.16, 3775.99, 5747.01, 5747.062, 5747.063, 5753.01, 5753.07, and 5753.08; to amend, for the purpose of adopting a new section number as indicated in parentheses, section 3775.051 (3775.05)…

From the introduced text, July 1, 2026:

To amend sections 718.031, 718.08, 3123.89, 3123.90, 3770.03, 3770.06, 3770.07, 3770.071, 3770.073, 3770.10, 3772.01, 3772.02, 3775.01, 3775.02, 3775.03, 3775.04, 3775.041, 3775.051, 3775.06, 3775.09, 3775.10, 3775.12, 3775.14, 3775.15, 3775.16, 3775.99, 5747.01, 5747.062, 5747.063, 5753.01, 5753.07, and 5753.08; to amend, for the purpose of adopting a new section number as indicated in parentheses, section 3775.051 (3775.05); and to repeal sections 3770.23, 3770.24, 3770.25, 3775.05, and 3775.11 of the Revised Code to restrict certain sports gaming activities and to name this act the Save Ohio Sports Act. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO: Section 1. That sections 718.031, 718.08, 3123.89, 3123.90, 3770.03, 3770.06, 3770.07, 3770.071, 3770.073, 3770.10, 3772.01, 3772.02, 3775.01, 3775.02, 3775.03, 3775.04, 3775.041, 3775.051, 3775.06, 3775.09, 3775.10, 3775.12, 3775.14, 3775.15, 3775.16, 3775.99, 5747.01, 5747.062, 5747.063, 5753.01, 5753.07, and 5753.08 be amended and section 3775.051 (3775.05) of the Revised Code be amended for the purpose of adopting a new section number as indicated in parentheses to read as follows: Sec. 718.031. As used in this section, "sports gaming facility" and " [DELETED: type B ] sports gaming proprietor" have the same meanings as in section 3775.01 of the Revised Code and "video lottery terminal" and "video lottery sales agent" have the same meanings as in section 3770.10 of the Revised Code. (A) A municipal corporation shall require …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Johnathan Newman (R, 80) · primary sponsor
• Beth Lear (R, 61) · primary sponsor
• Tim Barhorst (R, 85)
• Jennifer Gross (R, 45)
• Adam Holmes (R, 97)
• Mark Johnson (R, 92)
• Angela King (R, 84)
• Roy Klopfenstein (R, 82)
• Diane Mullins (R, 47)
• Kevin Ritter (R, 94)

Latest actions

1. July 1, 2026: Introduced

Common questions

What is HB971?

HB971 is a bill in the Ohio Legislature (136th General Assembly): Enact the Save Ohio Sports Act.

What does HB971 do?

In its own words: To amend sections 718.031, 718.08, 3123.89, 3123.90, 3770.03, 3770.06, 3770.07, 3770.071, 3770.073, 3770.10, 3772.01, 3772.02, 3775.01, 3775.02, 3775.03, 3775.04, 3775.041, 3775.051, 3775.06, 3775.09, 3775.10, 3775.12, 3775.14, 3775.15, 3775.16, 3775.99, 5747.01, 5747.062, 5747.063, 5753.01, 5753.07, and 5753.08; to amend, for the purpose of adopting a new section number as indicated in parentheses, section 3775.051 (3775.05)…

What is the status of HB971?

Introduced as of July 1, 2026. Latest action: Introduced (July 1, 2026).

Who sponsored HB971?

Johnathan Newman (R, 80), with 9 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB971?

On the Ohio Legislature website: https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/hb971