Ohio Lawmakers Mull over VLTs at Bars and Restaurants

Ohio lawmakers are considering enabling restaurants and bars across the state to offer gambling machines. This comes amid continued efforts to expand the state’s gaming industry.

VLT Expansion Would Generate Money for Education

The new bill, which was spearheaded by two House Republicans, would allow retailers, such as restaurants and bars to offer video lottery terminals (VLTs) to their customers. If approved, the new measure will allow retailers to house up to 7 such devices.

For context, Ohio currently only allows a small number of veteran and fraternal organizations to offer eBingo machines. These include the likes of American Legions, Eagles and Elks groups, and the VFWs. These organizations are allowed to offer up to 10 machines and share their revenue with their respective communities and charities. VLTs, on the other hand, are exclusively offered at the state’s seven racinos.

Restaurants, bars, grocery stores, liquor stores and other similar shops, on the other hand, will not be licensed to offer VLTs directly. Instead, the de facto license will be held by a non-profit organization other than the retailer. Additionally, such establishments will be required to channel half of their proceeds into the Ohio Lottery Education Fund.

Proponents of the expansion of Ohio’s gaming industry argued that the addition of VLTs to bars and restaurants will tap into a new demography of players, generating more money for education.

Opponents Disliked the Idea of Expanding Access to Gaming

Gayle Manning, one of the masterminds behind the bill, emphasized that it doesn’t seek to “reinvent the wheel” but to expand a “structured, transparent and responsible” vertical that already exists. Manning emphasized that this move will ensure important revenue benefits for schools and communities across Ohio, while still keeping support for veteran and fraternal organizations.

Opponents of the measure, however, questioned Manning’s approach, wondering why he would seek to generate funding for good causes by expanding access to machines that have certain ties with gaming addiction.

Dani Isaacsohn suggested that there might be better ways to create new revenue streams rather than to add gaming machines to lower-income communities where “people can least afford it.”

Ohio Is Also Considering Online Casinos

In the meantime, Ohio lawmakers continue to consider the legalization of iGaming, arguing that it would likewise increase the funding generated by taxes. House Bill 298, which was introduced earlier this year, would legalize iGaming but would introduce a ban on controversial sweepstakes operators.

If the bill passes, Ohio iGaming should launch by the end of March 2026.