Which States Will Legalize Online Casinos in 2026?

Last Updated on August 4, 2026 by Maurya

Online casino legalization has moved much more slowly across the United States than mobile sports betting. Although most Americans now live within reach of some form of legal sports wagering, state-regulated online slots, blackjack, roulette and live dealer games remain available in only a small number of jurisdictions.

As of August 2026, eight states have authorized full real-money online casino gaming: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and West Virginia. Nevada permits regulated online poker but does not offer a full online casino market.

So, which states will legalize online casinos in 2026?

The most accurate answer is that Maine has already become the only state to legalize online casinos during 2026. Ohio and Illinois still have theoretical paths to pass legislation before the end of the year, but neither should be considered a strong favorite. New York remains a major long-term candidate, while 2026 proposals in Virginia and Maryland have already failed.

Online Casino Legalization Forecast for 2026

This forecast distinguishes between legalization and launch. A state may pass an online casino law in one year but take another year or longer to approve regulations, issue licenses, test platforms and begin accepting wagers.

Maine: Online Casinos Were Legalized in January 2026

Maine is the definitive answer to the question of which state legalized online casinos in 2026.

Governor Janet Mills announced on January 8, 2026, that she would allow LD 1164 to become law. The measure authorizes Maine’s federally recognized Wabanaki Nations to operate internet gaming under licenses issued by the state Gambling Control Unit. Maine’s official bill tracker records LD 1164 as having passed on January 11, 2026.

Under the new framework, online casino rights are reserved for Maine’s recognized tribal governments. The structure broadly follows the tribal partnership model already used for mobile sports betting in the state.

The law represents more than a conventional expansion of commercial gambling. It was designed as an economic development measure for the Wabanaki Nations, giving tribal governments an additional source of revenue for housing, health services, education, infrastructure, law enforcement and other community programs.

Maine’s authorization may eventually include:

• Online slot games
• Blackjack and other table games
• Online poker
• Live dealer casino games
• Other games approved by state regulators

However, passing the law does not mean licensed casino apps become available immediately. Regulators must establish technical standards, responsible gambling requirements, licensing procedures, cybersecurity controls and geolocation rules before operators can launch.

Maine legalization verdict

Status: Legalized in 2026

Maine is the only state that can be placed in the confirmed category as of August 1, 2026.

Ohio: The Best Remaining Opportunity in 2026

Ohio may have the clearest remaining legislative opportunity, although its chances are still below 50%.

House Bill 298 would legalize and tax internet gambling, while Senate Bill 197 takes a broader approach that also addresses internet lottery gaming and other forms of online wagering. The proposals would allow Ohio’s existing casinos and racinos to participate in a regulated online market.

HB 298 was introduced in May 2025 and referred to the House Finance Committee. It has not developed the momentum normally associated with a bill on the verge of passage.

The reason Ohio remains on the 2026 watchlist is its legislative calendar. The Ohio General Assembly has session dates scheduled later in the year, including dates in December. That leaves open the possibility of a post-election or lame-duck push before the current General Assembly concludes.

Ohio also has several characteristics that make it a natural future iGaming market:

• A mature commercial casino and racino industry
• Statewide mobile sports betting
• Multiple national sportsbook operators already licensed
• An established regulatory body in the Ohio Casino Control Commission
• Lawmakers who have already produced detailed internet gaming proposals

The main obstacle is not infrastructure. It is political agreement.

Lawmakers must decide how many online brands each casino should be allowed to operate, whether online lottery products should be included, how revenue should be taxed and how the state should respond to concerns from retail gaming businesses.

Ohio legalization verdict

Status: Possible, but unlikely in 2026

Ohio has a better remaining calendar than states whose sessions have completely ended. Nevertheless, the absence of meaningful movement since the bills were introduced makes passage before December 31 a speculative outcome.

A more realistic scenario is that lawmakers use the existing proposals as the foundation for a renewed effort in the next legislative cycle.

Illinois: A Late Push Is Possible but Would Be Difficult

Illinois is another large online sports betting state frequently mentioned as a future online casino market.

Two Internet Gaming Act proposals were introduced in 2026:

• House Bill 4797
• Senate Bill 3723

The bills would permit licensed internet casino platforms, including online slots, table games, poker and potentially live dealer products. The proposals include a 25% tax on adjusted gross gaming revenue and would allow qualifying licensees to operate as many as three individually branded online casino skins.

HB 4797 was assigned to the House Gaming Committee in March but was subsequently re-referred to the Rules Committee on March 27, 2026. SB 3723 has remained in the Senate Assignments Committee since February 5.

Those are not encouraging positions for either bill.

Illinois does, however, have a scheduled veto session in November. The Senate calendar lists session days on November 17, 18 and 19, 2026.

Technically, lawmakers could revive an internet gaming proposal during that period. In practice, passing a complex gambling expansion bill during a short veto session would require strong leadership support and an agreement among casinos, racetracks, video gaming interests, labor groups, local governments and lawmakers.

The proposed 25% tax could make online casino revenue attractive to the state. Yet disagreements over retail casino cannibalization, the role of video gaming terminals and the distribution of tax revenue have repeatedly prevented Illinois from reaching a final agreement.

Illinois legalization verdict

Status: Possible, but unlikely in 2026

Illinois has not completely run out of legislative time. Still, its online casino bills have stalled, and the November veto session provides only a narrow opening. Illinois remains a credible long-term candidate rather than a likely 2026 success.

New York: A Huge Market With Little 2026 Momentum

New York is arguably the most valuable potential online casino market in the United States. It has a large population, a successful mobile sports betting industry and legal online casinos operating across the border in New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.

Senator Joseph Addabbo’s S2614 would authorize interactive casino gaming and interactive lottery gaming. Its companion proposal is A6027 in the Assembly. The Senate bill includes licensing rules, responsible gambling provisions, labor protections and a regulatory role for the New York State Gaming Commission.

The bill’s sponsor estimates that legal online casinos could eventually deliver approximately $1 billion in annual state tax revenue and around $150 million in initial licensing fees. These are legislative projections rather than guaranteed results.

Despite the potential revenue, S2614 has not advanced. Its most recent listed action was a January 7, 2026, referral to the Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee.

New York’s immediate gaming priorities have also included the licensing and development of downstate land-based casinos. Policymakers may prefer to finish that process before approving a product that could compete with, or significantly alter the economics of, new casino developments.

Could New York legalize online casinos in a special session or through a late budget agreement? It is technically possible. There is no public evidence, however, of the coordinated legislative and executive support normally required for such a major expansion.

New York legalization verdict

Status: Very unlikely in 2026

New York remains one of the strongest candidates for eventual legalization, but its current bill has made virtually no progress. A 2027 or later effort is considerably more plausible.

Virginia: A Major 2026 Attempt Fell Short

Virginia came closer than several other states during the 2026 session.

Senate Bill 118 would have authorized existing Virginia casino operators to obtain internet gaming licenses and partner with online platform providers. The proposal progressed through both chambers after a series of close and sometimes reversed votes.

At one point, the legislation included a delayed launch date of July 1, 2027, demonstrating that even passage in 2026 would not necessarily have produced immediate access to online casino apps.

Ultimately, SB 118 failed to pass out of conference before the legislative session ended. Virginia’s official legislative system lists the measure as failed.

The campaign was still significant because it showed that iGaming can attract meaningful support in both chambers. The debate also helped lawmakers identify the issues that must be resolved in a future bill, including:

• The number of licenses and online brands
• Tax rates
• Protections for casino workers
• Funding for problem gambling treatment
• The relationship between online and retail casinos
• Whether legalization requires approval in consecutive sessions

Virginia legalization verdict

Status: Will not legalize in 2026

Virginia’s legislative attempt is over for this year. Its progress makes the state one of the most important markets to watch when lawmakers return in 2027.

Maryland: Referendum Proposals Failed to Advance

Maryland considered multiple online gaming proposals in 2026.

SB 885 would have authorized the Maryland State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission to license and regulate internet gaming and online bingo. The bill included age verification, data security, voluntary exclusion and responsible gambling requirements. It was also contingent on approval through a statewide referendum.

A fiscal analysis stated that the measure would take effect only if Maryland voters approved the proposal in the November 2026 election.

SB 885 received a scheduled hearing but did not move beyond the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee. Maryland’s 2026 General Assembly session ended on April 13 without the bill advancing.

Because commercial casino expansion in Maryland generally requires constitutional and voter approval, legalization has more procedural hurdles than it does in some other states. Lawmakers would have to pass referendum legislation, obtain voter approval and then complete a separate regulatory and licensing process.

Maryland legalization verdict

Status: Will not legalize in 2026

Maryland remains a serious medium-term candidate. Another referendum proposal could return, but the failure of the 2026 bills pushes any realistic launch well beyond this year.

Indiana: No Full Online Casino Bill in Play

Indiana was once viewed as one of the most likely Midwestern states to adopt iGaming. The state already has commercial casinos, racinos, mobile sports betting and an experienced gaming regulator.

A 2025 proposal, HB 1432, would have legalized both online casinos and internet lottery products. It advanced from the House Public Policy Committee but failed to receive a hearing in the Ways and Means Committee before the deadline.

Indiana did not revive a comparable full online casino measure in 2026. The state’s gambling debate instead focused on issues such as casino relocation, online lottery sales and the prohibition of sweepstakes-style casino platforms. Current legislative trackers list no active Indiana online casino legalization bill.

Indiana legalization verdict

Status: Not expected in 2026

Indiana has the infrastructure to regulate online casinos, but lawmakers would need to introduce and advance a new measure in a future session.

Why Are States Slow to Legalize Online Casinos?

Online casinos can generate more revenue than sports betting because players can place casino wagers continuously rather than waiting for sporting events. That potential makes iGaming attractive to states facing budget pressure.

However, the same characteristics also make legalization controversial.

Concerns about retail casino revenue

Land-based casinos, racetracks and labor organizations sometimes argue that mobile casino games could reduce in-person visits, food and beverage spending, hotel bookings and casino employment.

Online operators respond that digital gaming can introduce new customers to a casino brand and complement rather than replace retail operations. The political debate continues because the effect may vary according to market design, population and the number of available licenses.

Responsible gambling risks

Online casinos are available around the clock, making robust consumer protections essential. Modern proposals increasingly include:

• Mandatory age and identity verification
• Geolocation technology
• Deposit, wagering and loss limits
• Self-exclusion programs
• Restrictions on advertising to excluded players
• Funding for treatment and research
• Monitoring for potentially harmful behavior

For example, Illinois’ HB 4797 would require platforms to offer daily, weekly and monthly deposit and spending limits. Maryland’s SB 885 included identity checks, voluntary exclusion controls and reporting requirements related to potentially harmful gambling behavior.

Disagreements over taxes and licenses

Setting the tax rate is a balancing act. A high rate may maximize revenue on paper but discourage competition or lead operators to reduce promotions. A lower rate may produce a more competitive market but generate less revenue per dollar wagered.

Lawmakers must also determine whether licenses should be limited to existing casinos, awarded to tribal governments or opened to independent operators through competitive bidding.

These disagreements often prevent a bill from passing even when there is broad support for legalization in principle.

Which State Is Most Likely to Legalize Next?

Looking beyond the end of 2026, the strongest candidates include:

1. Virginia, because its 2026 proposals reached advanced stages in both chambers.
2. Maryland, because lawmakers have repeatedly introduced detailed regulatory and referendum bills.
3. New York, because of the market’s size and the potential tax revenue involved.
4. Illinois, because it already has online sports betting, casinos and recurring Internet Gaming Act proposals.
5. Ohio, because active bills have established a framework that lawmakers could revisit.

The order can change quickly. State budget shortfalls, elections, changes in legislative leadership and agreements among existing casino stakeholders can all transform a dormant proposal into a serious bill.

Final Prediction: Which States Will Legalize Online Casinos in 2026?

As of August 1, the evidence supports a cautious conclusion:

Maine is likely to be the only state that legalizes full online casino gaming in 2026.

Ohio and Illinois still have legislative dates remaining, but their bills have not demonstrated enough progress to make passage the most likely outcome. New York’s bill remains stuck in committee, while Virginia and Maryland have already exhausted their 2026 opportunities.

The year has therefore produced one important expansion rather than a nationwide breakthrough. Maine’s tribal-led model could influence future legislation, particularly in states where tribal economic development and commercial gaming interests must be balanced.

The broader expansion of regulated online casinos is still likely to continue—but on a slow, state-by-state basis.

FAQs

How many states have legal online casinos in 2026?

Eight states have authorized full real-money online casino gaming: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and West Virginia. Nevada permits regulated online poker but not a complete online casino market.

What state legalized online casinos in 2026?

Maine legalized internet casino gaming in January 2026 when Governor Janet Mills allowed LD 1164 to become law. The legislation gives Maine’s federally recognized Wabanaki Nations the right to operate licensed internet gaming.

Will Ohio legalize online casinos in 2026?

Ohio could still consider HB 298 or SB 197 before the end of the legislative term. However, the proposals have made limited progress, so legalization in 2026 remains possible rather than probable.

Will New York legalize online casinos in 2026?

New York’s S2614 remains active but has not advanced beyond committee referral. Without a special-session agreement or major change in leadership support, passage during 2026 is highly unlikely.

Did Virginia pass its online casino bill?

No. SB 118 advanced through much of the legislative process but failed to receive final approval before Virginia’s 2026 session ended.

Are offshore online casinos legal in states without regulated iGaming?

The existence or accessibility of an offshore website does not mean it is licensed by a player’s state. Consumers should verify that a platform is approved by the relevant state regulator before depositing money. State-licensed platforms provide clearer rules for account security, identity verification, withdrawals, dispute procedures and responsible gambling protections.