Rep. Brennan Introduces Legislation Establishing Ethical Standards for Prohibiting Public Employees from Engaging in Event-Wagering Platforms

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Sean Patrick Brennan (D–Parma) today announced forthcoming legislation titled the Ohio Public Employee Event-Wagering Ethics Act, aimed at protecting public trust and preventing conflicts of interest involving emerging event-based wagering and prediction market platforms.

The legislation comes as online platforms increasingly allow users to wager on the outcomes of sporting events, elections, public policy decisions, and other matters connected to governmental action and regulatory activity.

“Ohioans deserve confidence that public officials and state employees are acting solely in the public interest,” Rep. Brennan said. “As these new wagering platforms rapidly expand, we must ensure that public servants are not placed in situations where access to government information or influence over public policy could create real or perceived conflicts of interest.”

The bill would prohibit public officials and employees from participating in event-based wagering platforms or maintaining accounts on such platforms. It would also establish additional restrictions for individuals serving in sensitive regulatory, enforcement, and policymaking roles, including employees of the Ohio Casino Control Commission and statewide elected officials.

In addition, the legislation:

• Prohibits the use or disclosure of nonpublic government information for wagering purposes;
• Requires disclosure of prior participation in event-wagering platforms through annual ethics filings;
• Restricts certain financial relationships between public officials and event-based wagering companies; and
• Authorizes enforcement by the Ohio Ethics Commission.

Rep. Brennan emphasized that the proposal is focused on ethics and public confidence, not traditional recreational sports betting, which is already regulated by state law.

“This legislation is about preserving integrity in government and staying ahead of emerging technologies and financial platforms that create new ethical concerns,” Rep. Brennan said. “Ohio’s ethics laws should evolve alongside these rapidly changing markets.”

The Ohio Public Employee Event-Wagering Ethics Act is expected to be formally introduced in the coming weeks.