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State of Play
- Maine has become the eighth state to legalize real-money online casinos, marking a significant moment in US gaming expansion.
- This development renews national interest as several other states consider joining the online casino market in 2026, a year poised for potential regulatory changes and growth in digital gambling.
Maine recently made headlines by becoming the eighth US state to legalize real-money online casinos, which includes online poker.
Gov. Janet Mills allowed a tribal-exclusive bill to become law without her signature, paving the way for Maine to launch online casinos possibly within 2026. Existing states where online casinos are legal include:
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Michigan
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- West Virginia
Maine’s decision comes after Rhode Island’s launch early in 2024. While debates continue over further legalization this year, several states are positioning themselves as potential candidates for iGaming expansion.
Who’s next?
Several states are actively pursuing online casino legalization, with New York, Virginia, Massachusetts, Illinois, and Maryland leading the charge.
New York’s legislative push highlights the potential for over a billion dollars in annual tax revenue, though it faces budget and competitive market challenges. Virginia’s political landscape favors progress with bills and discussions ongoing, despite election-year concerns.
Massachusetts is moving legislation towards a possible 2026 launch, while Illinois uses iGaming proposals to address budget issues. Maryland aims for a November vote to leverage its established casino and sports betting infrastructure.
Other states like New Hampshire and Ohio are in early stages, and some, including Indiana and Florida, may take incremental steps.
Based on reporting by Dave Grendzynski for Action Network.
