Online casino gaming in the US isn’t as widespread as sports betting, with only a few states, such as New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, offering regulated casino apps today. For the rest of the country, the question is: who’s next?
Several states have started looking into bills that would legalize online casino gaming. Each state is considering this in its own way, either through state budget planning, existing casino networks, or tribal agreements. There’s a lot of anticipation about what the outcome will be, but for now, let’s look at five states that are considered the most likely candidates.
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What Is the Current Legal Landscape of Online Casino Gaming?
Right now, only a small number of states allow regulated online casinos. Players in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Connecticut, Delaware, West Virginia, and Rhode Island can legally access online slots, blackjack, roulette, and poker at the best online casinos. Nevada is a partial case, since it only permits online poker rather than a full range of casino games.
Sports betting and online casinos often get mentioned together, but they have moved at very different speeds. Sports betting has been legalized in 39 states, while online casinos are allowed in seven states. Would that be changing soon?
In 2024, regulated iGaming markets generated billions in revenue, with New Jersey and Michigan at the top of the list. Rhode Island recently joined in, becoming the seventh state to launch online casinos. This trend shows how lawmakers are gradually revisiting the laws on iGaming, with some considering how tax revenue from these operators could support public services like education and infrastructure. It may set the stage for more states to follow.
Who’s Next to Legalize Online Casinos?
While we can’t say for a fact which states will come on next, we can speculate on the states that are actually closest to making the move based on their active bills, political climate, and market potential. And Illinois, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine seem to be right on track. Let’s take a closer look at each one.
Illinois
In February 2025, lawmakers in Illinois introduced matching bills in the House and Senate to set up rules for legal online casinos.
The Prairie State is already one of the top gambling markets in the US, generating more than $2 billion in annual tax revenue from sports betting, casinos, lottery, and video terminals. Analysts believe online casinos could add more than that figure each year. Chicago’s huge population and a well-established gambling scene show that Illinois has what it takes to be one of the first major states to legalize online casinos.
New York
The Empire State has already shown how fast it can embrace new forms of gaming. Mobile sports betting launched in 2022, and it has turned New York into the largest market in the country, with over a billion dollars in taxes last year alone.
Building on that success, lawmakers returned in January 2025 with a new iGaming bill. The idea is, if sports betting apps work this well, online casinos could be just as good if well-regulated, like the sports betting apps.
New York’s size and interest in online gaming are hard to ignore, especially when nearby states like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut are already offering online casinos.
Additionally, the Big Apple has an impressive history of mobile sports betting, so it seems likely to take the next step and bring full casino play online.
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Massachusetts
Massachusetts has always been comfortable with innovation, whether in technology, education, or gaming. The state already has a successful lottery and has three full-scale casinos, so the groundwork for online play is in place.
Several bills were filed early this year that would extend casino gaming into the digital space. The proposals include letting each land-based casino partner with multiple online brands, with tax rates designed to have a similar structure to what’s in place with sportsbooks. Lawmakers have also built in safeguards like deposit caps and self-exclusion options to address concerns about gaming problems.
Massachusetts is seen as one of the most natural fits for online casinos with its tech-savvy population, history of strong regulatory oversight, and the cultural pull of Boston as a gaming hub. If its current bills move forward, the Bay State could be ready to launch sooner than expected.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire has a history of taking bold steps in gaming. It was the first state to launch a state lottery back in the 1960s. In January this year, lawmakers reintroduced an updated iGaming bill after a previous attempt stalled in the House. The proposal lowers the minimum age to eighteen, ties licenses to existing gaming facilities, and sets aside a share of revenue for education and community programs. It passed the Senate once before, and backers believe the changes improve its chances this time.
Maine
And then there is Maine, where the conversation around online casinos looks a little different. Here, the push is being led by the state’s tribal nations, who have the right to run sports betting and are now aiming to extend that win into full iGaming.
A bill was introduced this Spring that would give the four Wabanaki tribes exclusive control over online casinos. It includes an eighteen percent tax, with portions earmarked for addiction services and community programs. The measure cleared both chambers, though final approval still hangs on the governor’s decision.
Rhode Island is already offering online casinos, and New Hampshire and Massachusetts are working on their own plans, so Maine is well-positioned to join in.
Which States Are Next Likely to Legalize Online Casinos? Interesting Months Ahead
The next chapter for online casinos in the United States is still unfolding. Illinois, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine all have ongoing bills or debates. None is certain, but the conversations seem to be moving in the right direction.
If you’re like me and are watching closely, the real question may not be if online casinos spread further but when. Each new state that allows iGaming nudges its neighbors to consider the same path, and states with online casinos have shown that regulation can work. There’s no certainty of the outcome, but the coming months will tell. If you are looking for a legal platform in your state, choose one of the recommended sites available on the banners.
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