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Bill

HB 476

Authorize online raffles under the Charitable Gaming Law

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Monica Blasdel and 10 co-sponsors

HB 476 allows Ohio charities to sell raffle tickets online through licensed platforms, modernizing fundraising but requiring new digital fraud and age-verification safeguards.

Introduced
#gambling
0
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Bill Summary · HB 476

Legislative bill overview

HB 476 amends Ohio's Charitable Gaming Law to permit licensed charitable organizations to conduct raffles through online platforms, expanding beyond traditional in-person raffle operations. The bill establishes regulatory framework for digital raffle sales while maintaining charitable gaming restrictions and oversight mechanisms.

Why is this important

This modernizes Ohio's charitable fundraising infrastructure to match digital consumer behavior, potentially increasing revenue for nonprofits, educational institutions, and community organizations. However, it introduces new regulatory challenges around age verification, fraud prevention, and responsible gaming safeguards in the online space.

Potential points of contention

  • Consumer protection concerns: Online raffles present higher fraud and addiction risks than physical raffles; the bill's safeguards against problem gambling and illegal participation by minors may be insufficient
  • Regulatory enforcement burden: State gaming regulators must monitor digital transactions across multiple platforms with limited resources; compliance verification becomes more complex than in-person operations
  • Competitive fairness: Online raffles could disadvantage small charities lacking digital infrastructure while benefiting well-funded organizations with marketing capacity and technology capabilities

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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