Maine made headlines by becoming the eighth U.S. state to legalize real-money online casinos, also known as iGaming.
This move came when Governor Janet Mills allowed a tribal-exclusive online casino bill to become law without her signature. With this new law in place, Maine could launch its online casinos as early as this year.
The states where iGaming is already legal include:
It's been a while since the last addition to this list—Rhode Island joined in 2024—so Maine's decision is getting a lot of attention.
As we look forward to the rest of the year, there is debate about whether more states will legalize online casinos.
Some analysts believe little will happen because of complex laws, political issues in an election year, and opposition from traditional casinos and anti-gambling groups. Others, however, think there will be ongoing talks and possibly some progress.
States With a Chance To Legalize Online Casinos in 2026
A few states are often mentioned as candidates for iGaming legalization in the coming years:
New York
Lawmakers are bringing back bills to take advantage of the state's large market.Sen. Joseph Addabbo has refiled his iCasino bill for 2026, suggesting it could bring in at least a billion dollars in tax revenue each year. This bill would connect licenses to existing sportsbooks, casinos, video lottery terminal operators, and racinos. But there are challenges, such as budget constraints and competition from nearby states like New Jersey and Connecticut.
Now that downstate casino licenses have been given out, there's a chance iGaming could be included in the 2026–27 budget, though union resistance is still a major challenge.
Virginia
Delegate Marcus Simon introduced HB 161 this week, which aims to legalize online casinos.
Bills from 2025 are also being looked at again, and new ones have been prepared for 2026, planning for a possible launch later that year. Sen. Mamie Locke’s bill, SB 827, was put on hold for more study, aiming for 2026. New drafts of this bill are being shared in the House too.
With the current party strengthened in Richmond and a governor from the same party, Virginia is seen as having a good chance for iGaming, even though there are concerns about expanding gambling during an election year.
Massachusetts
Bills are making progress, helped by issues related to sweepstakes casino restrictions. A past House bill, HB 1319, passed in 2024 with a 55% tax and a ban on credit card deposits, but it got stuck in the Senate and would need a constitutional referendum. This has delayed any launch until at least 2026.
But enter H4431, which is moving through the legislative process.
In 2026, there is talk about whether leaders will try again and aim for a November vote. If that happens and voters approve, Massachusetts could act quickly thanks to its existing casino and online sports betting setup.
Illinois
The Prairie State has been reviewing proposals for a while, with some lawmakers supporting iGaming for regulatory oversight and tax revenue. Companion bills for iGaming were introduced in both chambers in early 2026, following comments from Gov. Pritzker suggesting iCasino as a way to help address the budget deficit.
Illinois already has a developed environment for land-based and online sports betting. Analysts say it’s one of the big states that’s ready for iGaming if political will supports it due to budget needs.
Maryland
Lawmakers plan to try again with a November vote. If voters approve, the Old Line State could move quickly, thanks to its existing casino and online sports betting setup.
New Hampshire and Ohio (with House Bill 298), have also shown some early interest, though their efforts are still in the early stages. Although New York and Virginia are gaining momentum and Maine is already on board, no state is a sure bet to legalize online casinos.
Other States to Watch in 2026
Several additional states may also move toward legalizing online casinos, but they might take smaller steps first, such as discussing bills or studying the topic. These steps still matter if you're trying to figure out the future of online gambling.
Indiana
In the past, efforts to legalize online casinos in Indiana didn't go through. However, in 2026, lawmakers might revisit the idea. Experts see Indiana as less likely than states like New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Maryland, but it's still worth watching.
New Hampshire
Although previous efforts have failed, Senator Tim Lang has brought back a revised online casino bill, changing key parts from past efforts. New Hampshire is seen as a state that could move quickly to add online casinos if leaders want to boost revenue.
Arizona
Like Ohio, the Grand Canyon State is mentioned in bill trackers as a place where discussions and studies could lead to a new online casino bill in 2026. Both have existing online sports betting markets and feel pressure to increase revenue.
Arkansas and Florida
Commentators have grouped Arkansas, Florida, and a few other states as "long shots" for online casinos in 2026. These states face political challenges rather than straightforward paths to legalization.
Florida, for instance, is often mentioned for its potential, mainly through deals with tribal casinos, but any real change there is expected further down the line.
The Road Ahead for The Legalization of Online Casinos
Despite these discussions, many experts remain skeptical about any new states officially legalizing iGaming by 2026.
Why? The process of passing gambling expansions can be slow and complicated.
In short, while there are active discussions and legislative efforts in several states, the path to legalization for online gambling in 2026 remains uncertain. For now, Maine celebrates its new status while other states cautiously consider their next moves.
With the year being a big election year and recent focus on sports betting issues, many predictions say that, aside from Maine, only one more state might legalize online casinos—unless something unexpected happens, like in Rhode Island.
