HB 476 Ohio House · 136th Legislature (2025-2026)

Authorize online raffles under the Charitable Gaming Law

HB 476 amends Ohio's Charitable Gaming Law to allow charities to conduct raffles online, rather than only in-person. It specifically updates sections 2915.01, 2915.092, and 2915.14 to authorize this new method of fundraising. The bill directly affects Ohio-registered charities that currently use raffles as a fundraising tool. The law declares an emergency to expedite implementation, making online raffles a legal option under the state's charitable gaming rules.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Sep 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2026
House Passage
Nov 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Sep 29, 2025 Last action Feb 11, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

As Introduced As Passed by the House · 7 edits · Nov 19, 2025
MODERATE
The bill was significantly expanded in scope and detail as it passed the House. It now authorizes online raffles in addition to online bingo, adds numerous new cosponsors, and substantially rewrites the definitions and regulatory framework for charitable gaming. The changes include new sections covering online raffles, expanded definitions of gaming devices and organizations, and updated licensing requirements for distributors and manufacturers.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from only online raffles to include both online raffles and online bingo, with new sections added to the Revised Code to govern these activities. The bill also added many new cosponsors and reorganized the legislative text structure.
SCOPE

Added authorization for online raffles in addition to online bingo, creating new sections 2915.17-2915.20 to govern these activities.

DEFINITION

Added numerous new definitions including 'online raffle platform,' 'electronic instant bingo system,' 'skill-based amusement machine,' and various types of charitable organizations.

ELIGIBILITY

Expanded the list of eligible charitable organizations to include youth athletic organizations, youth athletic park organizations, and community action agencies.

REQUIREMENT

Added new licensing requirements for distributors and manufacturers of bingo supplies, including fingerprint checks and criminal background investigations for electronic instant bingo endorsements.

ENFORCEMENT

Added new provisions for civil fines, license revocation, and suspension for violations of the chapter, with specific penalties for illegally operating as a distributor.

FISCAL

Added new provisions specifying how fees and receipts from various gaming activities shall be used, including allocation to the charitable law fund and for law enforcement purposes.

TECHNICAL

Changed the bill's title and formatting from 'As Introduced' to 'As Passed by the House,' added numerous cosponsors, and reorganized the legislative text structure with new section numbering.

Floor votes · House Nov 18, 2025

How they voted

260
Passed
Total votes 26
Nov 18, 2025
D Democratic8
8 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican18
18 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
7
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Feb 11, 2026
Committee
Referred to committee
upper
Nov 25, 2025
Introduced
Introduced
upper
Nov 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
Nov 18, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (26-0)
house
Oct 1, 2025
Committee
Referred to committee
lower
Sep 29, 2025
Introduced
Introduced
lower
2 primary · 9 co-sponsors

Sponsors