As U.S. sports betting advances rapidly, iGaming remains stagnant. Initiatives to legalize internet casinos encounter significant opposition from legislators, casino proprietors, and labor organizations. Several states are advancing; nonetheless, the path remains ambiguous.
The contention around US iGaming legislation persists, showing little momentum in 2025, as casino owners, unions, and politicians remain fragmented. Certain states are keen to legalize, although advancement is sluggish.
US States Dipping Their Toes in iGaming
While states like New York, Florida, Illinois, and Louisiana have continuously pushed for iGaming legalization over the past few years, others are beginning to test the waters.
Maryland: is where an iGaming advanced in 2024 but encountered a standstill in the Senate. Two prominent casino operators opposed the legislation. Labor unions expressed apprehensions over employment stability. Although advocates may advocate for another endeavor in 2025, a necessary referendum precludes any possible initiation prior to 2026. Maryland legislators must contend with resistance from terrestrial casinos that perceive iGaming as a direct rival rather than a supplementary offering. Maryland has recently introduced Senate Bill 860, which seeks to prohibit sweepstakes casinos and enforce more stringent regulations on firms engaged in offshore marketplaces.
Colorado: may enact iGaming legislation for the first time. Legislators and industry executives have engaged in conversations, but voter consent is necessary. A slim majority approved a 2019 vote concerning sports betting. Online casino gaming may encounter more opposition from conservative voters. The state’s gaming legislation has always been prohibitive, rendering progress challenging.
Wyoming: will present iGaming legislation in 2025. Recent research indicates that iGaming will not diminish current gaming income. Nonetheless, several tribal gambling operators continue to express skepticism. Although Wyoming expedited the implementation of mobile sports betting, internet casinos may encounter greater resistance. Due to the state’s limited population, the income potential is diminished compared to larger markets; yet, it may function as a regulatory model for other states.
Arkansas: is examining regulatory modifications that may facilitate online casino expansion without requiring comprehensive legislative endorsement. Although negotiations remain in their preliminary phase, this regulatory strategy might position Arkansas prominently in the iGaming sector by 2025.
A recent report by Gambling.com shows concern for Arkansas’ iGaming hopes
A prominent Arkansas senator has expressed skepticism that the state’s legislature would pass a bill to authorize internet casinos this year.
In a text message sent to Gambling.com on Tuesday, March 25, state Sen. Bart Hester (R-Cave Springs) informed the website that House Bill 1861, which would legalize internet casino gaming, had “no chance” of receiving legislative support. Hester serves on many Senate committees, including the Revenue and Taxation Committee, and is also the Senate president pro tempore.
According to Hester’s text message, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Attorney General Tim Griffin would “vigorously” fight the measure that would legalize iGaming, or internet casino gaming. According to Hester, this makes it physically “impossible” for the bill to pass the legislature. He went on to say that it would be tough to get enough support from lawmakers to ensure its passage through both houses of Congress. April 11 is the scheduled conclusion of the legislative session.
We Have an Unregulated iGaming Issue in Arkansas
The unregulated landscape of iGaming in Arkansas proves that states will face the reality of casino gaming, whether they legalize it or not.
Saracen’s chief market officer, Carlton Saffa, has led the campaign to legitimize internet gambling in Arkansas and outlaw unlicensed, untaxed sweepstakes casinos. As reported, and according to Saffa, the measure would restrict internet gambling to licensed resorts and prohibit unlicensed sweepstakes casinos, leading to a decline in the quantity of online gaming in Arkansas.
Despite this, the Social and Promotional Games Association recently published a declaration opposing iGaming legislation in Arkansas.
The emergence of sweepstakes casinos and associated legal issues
Sweepstakes casinos are flourishing in jurisdictions where iGaming is prohibited. These sites function within established legal parameters; nonetheless, California officials indicated an increasing interest in these platforms in late 2024, suggesting that the sector may see heightened scrutiny in 2025. These methods allow players to purchase virtual money and convert winnings into cash prizes. Nonetheless, legal challenges are on the rise.
Regulated gaming companies perceive sweepstakes casinos as inequitable competition. Legislators are commencing deliberations on prohibitions. Certain states may implement additional limitations to curtail their expansion. Litigations concerning sweepstakes gaming may influence iGaming discourse in 2025. If states neglect to control iGaming, alternative models will persist in expanding.
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