Handicapping the states that could legalize online casinos in 2026

While 2025 came and went with no US states expanding legal gaming to include online casino play, that doesn't mean 2026 will bear similar results. There is limited momentum toward iGaming legalization in multiple states as 2026 begins, although that motion could be quelled within the first few months of the year.

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Few state lawmakers have been pushing harder to make room for the best online casinos to enter their state than New York Sen. Joseph Addabbo. With the licensing of downstate physical casinos now in the past, it might be time for Addabbo's years-long efforts to pay off in 2026.

Addabbo has already proposed a model for playing casino games online that resembles New York's framework for legal online sports wagering. His previous efforts to change the law to allow New Yorkers to use online casino bonus codes like residents of New Jersey and Pennsylvania can have focused on incorporating iGaming into the state's budget.

Because the legislature focuses on the budget each year in the early months, it could become apparent quickly whether Addabbo will be able to work iGaming into the budget or if he will have to push for a standalone bill later in the year. Either way, Assembly member Gary Pretlow has often filed companion bills to match Addabbo's Senate proposals, so that is something else for New Yorkers to watch for.

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Maine's legislature approved a framework for playing online casino games under the auspices of tribal gaming authorities in 2025 in passing LD 1164. The bill essentially extends the state's existing system for legal online sports wagering to iGaming.

That could be the breaking point for the bill getting final approval, though. Gov. Janet Mills has tabled the bill for now but seems likely to veto it on grounds of opposition to expanding tribal control over gaming in Maine.

The bill did not pass with a veto-proof majority in either the Maine House of Representatives or the Maine Senate. Mills' veto is likely to stand should that be her action, meaning that proponents of LD 1164 will need to revise the bill to garner a different result.

One of the Virginia Senate's most influential members, Sen. Mamie Locke, filed SB 827 late in 2024. Sensing that the time was not right to push for its enactment, Locke convinced colleagues to pass over the bill nearly a year ago.

Since then, there have been legislative hearings on the matter and Virginia Del. Marcus Simon shared a draft of a bill that would legalize iGaming in the commonwealth. Locke targeted 2026 as a potential time to revive her efforts.

With Locke's party building on its majority in Richmond and a new governor sharing the same affiliation, Locke's reading of the room may prove prescient. If she is successful, Virginia could become a place where players can take advantage of offers like the Caesars Palace Online Casino promo code in the near future.

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The momentum in these states makes them more likely to see discussions regarding iGaming in 2026. However, there are no guarantees that the momentum in any of the states will be sufficient to actually push the bills across the finish lines.

With 2026 serving as an election year on the federal and state levels, participants may be reticent to take positions supporting the expansion of gaming. The potential negative view of such platforms across many US states has been strengthened by integrity issues related to sports wagering in the US.

Barring any surprises on the level of Rhode Island in 2024, 2026 will pass much as 2025 did for iGaming. That map is likely to continue to be restricted to MI, NJ, PA, and WV in the US.

Derek Helling