The bill, introduced by Senator Blessing, aims to amend the Revised Code to establish a fee on gross sports gaming wagers, with the revenue directed towards publicly owned professional sports facilities and interscholastic athletics. Key provisions include the creation of sections 123.282 and 5753.022, which define and regulate cultural and sports facilities, and set financial requirements for state funding, limiting state contributions to 15% of initial construction costs. The bill also introduces new terms such as "professional sports franchise" and "minor league sports franchise," and outlines the conditions for utilizing state funds, including local contributions and approval from the Ohio facilities construction commission.

Additionally, the bill establishes the Sports Venue Redevelopment Commission to oversee projects funded by the Sports Venue Redevelopment Fund, which is designated for the renovation or construction of publicly owned sports facilities. It introduces a privilege fee on gross wagers from sports gaming to support interscholastic athletics and details the distribution of these funds. The bill also amends existing regulations concerning casino operators and sports gaming proprietors, broadening their financial obligations by including the term "fee" alongside "tax." It establishes compliance measures, such as penalties for non-filing and immediate tax liabilities upon the sale of gaming facilities, while repealing certain sections of the Revised Code to streamline enforcement within Ohio's gaming industry.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 123.28, 123.281, 5753.01, 5753.031, 5753.04, 5753.05, 5753.06, 5753.07, 5753.08, 5753.12