Reps. Sweeney, Isaacsohn Move to Secure Funding for K-12 Education, Child Care if iGaming Legalized in Ohio
COLUMBUS – State Reps. Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Westlake) and Dani Isaacsohn (D-Cincinnati) have introduced legislation to ensure any future state revenue generated through the legalization of internet gaming (“iGaming”) in Ohio is dedicated to K-12 public education, publicly funded child care, and programs to address problem gaming.
States that have already legalized iGaming have reported significant increases in state tax revenue as a result, in many cases surpassing revenues generated at traditional brick-and-mortar venues. In 2024, Michigan’s Gaming Control Board reported collecting $451.4Min state revenue from iGaming alone.¹ Another neighboring state, Pennsylvania, reported generating $841M in tax revenue from iGaming last year.²
This opportunity to generate additional tax revenue comes at a time when statehouse leadership is advancing budget proposals that shortchange core priorities like public education and affordable child care, claiming the state doesn’t have enough money to meet the need. The House-passed version of the state’s biennial state budget, House Bill 96, walks away from the bipartisan Fair School Funding Plan, threatening to underfund public education in Ohio by billions of dollars. When the State doesn’t pay its fair share of the cost of education in Ohio, it forces local communities to either raise property taxes or cut vital programs for students. Cost studies approved by the Republican led legislature that were conducted by the Republican Governor’s Department of Workforce and Education revealed that we are underfunding our schools in almost every aspect, from the base cost to special needs students,³ gifted students,4 and English language learners.5
“Every state legislator swears an oath to uphold the Ohio Constitution, which includes a clear mandate to adequately fund Ohio’s public schools. But the budget passed by the Ohio House betrays that oath,” said Rep. Sweeney. “The Republican Majority may say we can’t afford to do better, but this is a fundamental question of priorities. They are choosing to deliberately defund our children, our families, and our future. If the state is going to legalize iGaming and in doing so create a new source of tax revenue, that money must go where it is needed most–our kids. Ohio’s children and families are suffering and they must be our first priority.”
Ohio also consistently ranks among the lowest states for public investment in child care, which continues to be the biggest household expense for families with children. While child care costs have risen by an estimated 40% in the last 10 years, the state has reduced investment and failed to adjust for inflation. Compared to neighboring states, Ohio’s state investment is significantly lower than its peers; Pennsylvania, for example, invests $819M annually compared to Ohio’s $141M. Failure to fund childcare is a failure to fund our workforce. Over 1M working parents in Ohio have been forced to reduce their work hours due to child care barriers and 6 out of every 10 non-working Ohio moms with children under age 6 report that they would return to work if they had access to affordable child care. A recent study from the US Chamber of Commerce found that Ohio is losing out on more than $5B in untapped economic potential due to our lack of investment in child care.6
“I’m not convinced that iGaming is right for Ohio, but I am absolutely sure that if Ohio is going to legalize iGaming then the General Assembly should commit to investing the additional revenue into educating and taking care of our kids,” said Rep. Isaacsohn. “This isn’t just the right thing to do, it is the smart thing to do. Making sure the next generation can read, engage in critical thinking, and learn in safe environments is the best thing we can do to invest in our future.”
The legislation would mirror a similar provision in the Ohio Constitution that requires Ohio Lottery profits be used to support K-12 education, vocational, and special education programs in Ohio. The constitutional amendment creating the funding requirement was overwhelmingly approved by Ohio voters by a 4-to-1 margin in 1987.
The bill now awaits a bill number and referral to a House committee for further consideration.
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¹ https://michigangaming.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Vol31-Issue-2.pdf
² https://gamingcontrolboard.pa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-12/PGCB%20Annual%20Reportfinal.pdf
4 https://oagc.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/2018-ODEOERC-Gifted-Cost-Study.pdf
6 https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/solutions/early-childhood-and-k-12-education/untapped-potential