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The summer is usually a quiet time for online casino legislation.
Still, there’s some newsworthy tidbits to stay up on in states that have given thought to expanding online gambling.
One state is still pushing toward being the next to launch legalized online casinos, while others are hitting more roadblocks through other forms of gambling expansion.
Maine Still In Holding Pattern
Maine did officially legalize online casinos back in January when Gov. Janet Mills let LD1164 pass without taking action on the bill.
At that time, Maine became the eighth state in the US to legalize iGaming.
The four Wabanaki Nations tribes will be able to provide Maine online casino licenses to one operator a piece, with iGaming revenue being taxed at 16%.
It was announced in late June that Caesars would take up three of those four licenses, as it agreed to deals with three of the tribes to have Caesars Palace Casino, Horseshoe Casino, and Caesars Sportsbook & Casino each receive one of the available licenses.
When legislation for iGaming originally passed, the bill stated it could begin as soon as mid-July if proper regulations were put in place. That has yet to occur as the state continues to face a lawsuit from Oxford Casino Hotel over accusations of violating the Equal Protection Clause, as the state’s two commercial casinos won’t be eligible to offer online casino gaming.
Until this lawsuit gets situated, it’s hard to know just when legal online casino gaming will be available in Maine.
Virginia Makes Progress, But Doesn’t Legalize
If you’re looking for the next state that could legalize online casinos, Virginia has to be among the favorites.
Both the Virginia House and Virginia Senate each passed their own respective iGaming legalization bills, but were not able to come together on a mutually agreed upon bill.
Virginia House Bill 161 and Virginia Senate Bill 118 each called for the state’s land-based casinos to be able to issue up to three online casino licenses. A 20% tax on each online casino’s adjusted gross revenue would be put in place.
The issue came with how the tax revenue would be spend and how regulations would be put in place.
One key part of both bills was the inclusion of a reenactment clause that would require any legislation to go through two years of passage from the House and Senate before going into law.
Should that hold for future bills, Virginia online casinos wouldn’t see any form of legalization until 2028.
Massachusetts Cools on iGaming, Launches Online Lottery
After years of effort, the Massachusetts Lottery launched its online platform this week.
Mass Lottery Online offers online sales of draw games and eInstant tickets, which have a similar look to an online slot game.
The step toward adding an online lottery could create some speed bumps for Massachusetts to legalize iGaming anytime soon.
The state lottery will now strongly oppose any kind of online gambling expansion, as it could cut into their new venture and impact the tax revenue it generates for the state.
Rep. David Muradian introduced HB4431 to legalize iGaming in 2025, but it hasn’t made much traction and didn’t get serious consideration in 2026. Muradian and indicated he will file the bill again in 2027, but it will continue to face an uphill climb.
Don’t look for Massachusetts to pass any kind of online casino bill in the next few years.
New York Begins Retail Casino Expansion, iGaming Next?
New York has approved licenses for three downstate casino projects and the first steps toward that expansion have begun.
In April, Resorts World New York City opened up the first table games casino in the history of NYC. Over 240 table games were available when the debut took place.
Resorts World New York City will be continuing its expansion plans into late 2030 and early 2031. In the meantime, Bally’s Bronx and Hard Rock Metropolitan Park also have multi-billion-dollar projects in the works that are slated for 2030 openings.
New York lawmakers are likely to let these project play out before any serious consideration for iGaming expansion.
Legalizing online casinos before these commercial casinos can even get off the ground doesn’t make a lot of sense.
Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr. has been consistent in his efforts to legalize online casinos and will likely continue to introduce new legislation, but I don’t see them gaining much momentum.
Should online casinos ever get legalized in New York, the state could immediately become the US leader in iGaming revenue, pushing for $5-6 billion in its opening years of operation.