Ohio bettors were expected to wager $8 billion during the first year of legalized sports betting, and with only three months of spending data, it looks like that eye-popping projection was a lowball.

Driving the news: Ohioans bet nearly $2.5 billion through the end of March, per state data — around $212 for every resident.

• And that's with the Buckeyes football season still months away.

Why it matters: Our sports-obsessed state is already a betting powerhouse, with the resulting millions in tax dollars flowing toward education causes.

• Sportsbooks have recorded $387.5 million in net revenue so far — the state taxes 10% to fund K-12 education and problem gambling resources.

The latest: Gov. Mike DeWine proposes to double that tax rate, but Ohio House members have thus far rejected the idea.

The big picture: It's been five years since a U.S. Supreme Court ruling launched the nationwide sports betting industry that has become all but inescapable to fans, Jeff Tracy writes for Axios Sports.

• Ohio is already the No. 14 state for total wagers handled, ahead of states like Connecticut and West Virginia that legalized betting well before we did.

Zoom in: Nearly all of Ohio's action (97%) has occurred on digital betting apps like DraftKings and FanDuel.

• Most other bets were placed at brick-and-mortar sportsbooks within casinos, racinos and arenas.
• Just $3.2 million (0.1%) was bet at the growing number of kiosks inside restaurants, bars and bowling alleys.

Meanwhile, Ohio regulators have stayed busy these first few months, fining DraftKings and Barstool a combined $750,000 in February for marketing to underage players and improperly promoting "free bets."

What they're saying: The state gambling helpline has seen a spike in callers since sports betting launched in January, Problem Gambling Network of Ohio executive director Derek Longmeier tells Axios.

• But not all of these new callers are sports bettors — a testament, he says, to the efficacy of a state law requiring sportsbooks to promote addiction resources in their marketing campaigns.

Half of parents believe their child's mental health has suffered during the past year due to social media use, per a new national survey of 2,000 parents.

Why it matters: Kids are using social media more than ever, leading to ongoing public discussions about limiting screen time and how being online impacts their development.

• May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

What they're saying: On Our Sleeves, the Nationwide Children's Hospital campaign that commissioned the study, encourages parents to have regular conversations with their kids — and not just to speak, but listen.

• Families can also use a template to create a social media plan.
• "Taking an active role in their social media engagement, instead of simply limiting their exposure, can help them feel comfortable to ask questions, report concerns and seek help when they need it," pediatric psychologist Ariana Hoet said in a statement.

Of note: Earlier this year, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted championed legislation that would require social media and gaming platforms to receive parental consent for Ohio users under 16 years old.

Yes, but: Enforcement would be complicated. Lawmakers removed the proposal from the state budget bill that passed the House last month and has moved to the Senate.

🖊 Gov. Mike DeWine condemned the recent neo-Nazi protest against a local drag brunch in a guest column denouncing "discrimination, hate, and bigotry." (Dispatch)

🏛 A GOP-backed bill would create an "intellectual diversity" center at OSU and the University of Toledo meant to counter a faculty base lawmakers see as being predominantly liberal. (Ohio Capital Journal)

🤸‍♀️ Momi Land, an indoor playground for kids with trampolines and an "epic 40,000+ ball pit," is opening a new location in Gahanna. (614 Magazine)

🏳️‍🌈 A new "Pride Caucus" plans to support LGBTQ+ candidates for local and state political office. (WCMH-TV)

The first-round results of our brewery bracket are in — and you have our permission to crack open a cold one in celebration if your favorite made it to Round 2.

State of play: Ale-ite Eight match-ups include ...

• Wolf's Ridge vs. BrewDog
• Columbus Brewing vs. Land-Grant
• Hoof Hearted vs. North High
• Seventh Son vs. Gemüt Biergarten

Between the lines: Several victories were blowouts in Round 1, which means tough competition for the next round of voting.

• 🙏 Thanks to the 253 of you who voted!

What's next: Vote here in the Ale-ite Eight. (Closes 4pm today.)

🔥 Hot and fresh local job listings.

1. General Utility at Packaging Corporation of America.
2. Director, Supply Chain, Commercial Products at Safecor Health.
3. Director, Content Acquisition Strategy & Operations at ACS.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Use code FIRST50 for $50 off your first job post.

Matt Farley is the most prolific songwriter you've never heard of — and odds are he's devoted a song to your hometown.

Driving the news: The Massachusetts native counts over 24,000 songwriting credits, including an exhaustive list of ditties about practically every U.S. city.

• Most feature him talk-singing non-sequiturs to a basic drum and bass riff, though he occasionally throws in some local flair.

Zoom in: He's written about Columbus and 10 area suburbs with tracks like "Respect Reynoldsburg" and "Marysville Is a Fine Ohio Place to Be!"

• "They got the Brewery District, they got downtown, they got German Village and other nice sections," he sings in "Columbus, Ohio."

The intrigue: Can you guess the title Central Ohio cities from sample lyrics? Answers at the bottom of this newsletter.

• "It's where yesterday meets tomorrow. It's where golf aficionados go golfin', havin' a lot of fun at all of the country clubs."
• "They've got the A.G. Grant Homestead on 4124 Haughn Road, what a wonderful historic place."
• "They call it the Shaded City, oh, yes they do!"