The State of iGaming Legislation Across the U.S.A

While the process of legalizing sports betting appeared to be pretty seamless and fast, it has been a completely different story for iGaming regulations in the USA.

Although states were allowed to permit online casinos within their borders by creating their own regulations, there has been a very slow uptake. As of the beginning of 2025, only seven states have made it legal.

To further amplify the state of iGaming legislation in the US, 2024 didn’t see a single state legalize the activity, although discussions were held in locations.

Which states have legalized iGaming in 2025?

As mentioned, just seven states have decided to legalize iGaming activities within their borders. These are:

• Connecticut (legalized online gambling in 2021)

• Delaware (one of the first to do so, having introduced regulations in 2012)

• Michigan (embraced online gambling activities in 2021 using strong legislation)

• New Jersey (adopted regulations for iGaming in 2013)

• Pennsylvania (legalized the activity in 2017)

• Rhode Island (entered the market in 2019 but only focused on online casinos in 2024)

• West Virginia (started to regulate iGaming in 2019)

Of these seven, only three of the top 10 legal sports betting states (in terms of revenues) provide players with the opportunity to legally play at the best online casinos available in the US. Michigan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania each have huge gambling markets and have allowed the top gambling brands to operate within their borders when following the regulations that they have set.

What movements were made in 2024 toward legal iGaming in the US?

When taking a look at the last year, there was very little progress in regard to more states introducing bills to make iGaming legal within their borders.

As noted, there wasn’t a single state that had legalized the activity, although there had been some movement. Maryland was perhaps the closest to making anything happen, as its lawmakers had held several discussions, hearings, and votes to permit the activity. However, there were several challenges and obstacles that continued to be faced that stopped getting it to the governor’s desk.

Ohio had also witnessed some movement toward the possibility of legalizing the activity in the future, with a legal bill being filed in September. Notably, there have been other states that have seen lawmakers talk about how it's an issue that they will tackle in the future, although it doesn’t seem to be that high of a priority at the moment.

It’s interesting to see very little movement, as some states have taken notable actions in the past. New York and Iowa are said to have the support needed for the activity to be pushed through by lawmakers. Iowa has legislation already in place and pending approval, while New York has continually tried to push through a bill due to the strong state support. Its close proximity to other states that have legalized the activity has helped to give the activity the backing it needs.

What will push iGaming forward in the US?

With Donald Trump having recently been sworn in as President of the US once again, there could be some changes that could impact the iGaming industry going forward.

In his first term, his administration saw the Wire Act of 1961 be reinterpreted. In 2019, the DOJ expanded the scope of what activities were banned under the order after confusion about what was and wasn’t permitted in 2011. However, while he was in office, The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992 was also repealed by the Supreme Court in 2018, allowing sports betting to be brought in. Although his administration had no direct influence on this ruling, it is suggested that their stance made it easier for the ruling to happen.

Trump’s second term could see more changes take place, with some believing there could be a favorable impact on the industry, at least at the federal level.