Which States Could Be Next to Legalise Online Casinos?

Nevada sticks to online poker. Delaware is small but steady. Everyone else is circling the question: who’s next?

Texas is called a sleeping giant for a reason. Thirty million residents. A booming economy. A sports culture that borders on obsession. The potential revenue is staggering, and operators know it. Lobbying by Las Vegas Sands and DraftKings has already intensified, with both eager to shape the market for Texas online casinos if lawmakers finally open the door. Currently, Texan gamblers rely on offshore casino options, like the ones highlighted by Djordje Todorovic.

At the moment, commercial casinos don’t exist. Tribal casinos do, and so does the lottery. But voters rejected propositions for expansion in 2022, a reminder that Texas politics can be unpredictable. Even so, people close to the process say it’s a matter of “when,” not “if.” Sports betting has already softened the ground. Online casinos are the logical next step, though probably not before another fierce legislative fight.

Florida has money, tourism, and big-name operators eager to get in. What it doesn’t have is an easy pathway. The Seminole Tribe controls much of the existing casino landscape, and any expansion typically runs through them. Add in the state’s requirement for constitutional amendments on gambling, and the process gets messy fast.

Still, the numbers are too tempting. Florida’s population rivals Texas, and the blend of tourists and retirees makes it a dream market for casino operators. Sports betting already exists through the tribe’s compact, though legal challenges continue. Expect online casinos to become part of the same conversation, but only through careful, drawn-out negotiation.

New York rolled out online sports betting in 2022 and immediately started printing money. More than $1.5 billion in tax revenue has already flowed into the state’s budget. Those figures speak louder than any lobbyist.

Casinos already operate in upstate regions and around New York City. Lawmakers know that expanding to online casinos would plug further holes in the state’s finances. The opposition will argue problem gambling risks, but ask around Albany and most admit the fiscal logic is hard to resist. It’s not a question of whether New York looks at iGaming; it’s how soon.

Illinois has a track record of saying yes to gambling expansion when the money makes sense. Riverboat casinos, racetracks, and sports betting are all part of the picture. The state’s sports betting market now handles billions annually, and mobile apps are thriving.

Proposals for online casinos have floated through Springfield more than once, though none reached the finish line. The Chicago market alone makes Illinois a likely contender. The political machinery tends to move slowly, but the structure is in place, and operators are pressing the case.

Indiana doesn’t grab national headlines, but it has steadily built a reputation as a pragmatic gambling state. Sports betting launched in 2019 with little drama, and revenues have been consistent. Lawmakers haven’t shown strong resistance to expansion, and casino operators have significant influence at the Capitol.

The population isn’t huge, so it wouldn’t match the tax windfall of New York or Texas. But Indiana could become a regional leader, especially with neighbors like Michigan already cashing in. Think of it as a “likely yes,” just not a blockbuster market.

A few others are circling the debate. Some are bigger long shots, some could surprise:

California: Enormous population, but tribal gaming politics make progress extremely slow. If it ever happens, it would instantly be the world’s largest online casino market. Observers say no other state carries the same combination of scale and influence.

Massachusetts: Sports betting went live in 2022. Lawmakers are cautious but pragmatic, and online casinos are a natural extension. The state tends to move methodically, but pressure from operators is rising.

Maryland: Voters approved sports betting in 2020. Casino operators there are vocal about iGaming, though legislators are cautious. A fresh push could emerge if tax revenue targets fall short elsewhere.

Colorado: Known for innovation. Sports betting thrives, and a tech-savvy consumer base makes it a potential candidate down the road. The open attitude toward new digital industries gives it an edge.

Kentucky: Recently joined the sports betting wave. If revenue numbers look strong, expect pressure to expand. Some see it as an early test case for how smaller states approach online casinos.