With the start of the legislative sessions, various proposals to regulate online casinos were presented in Maryland, Virginia, Wyoming, New York, Massachusetts, and Indiana.
United States.- With the beginning of the 2025 legislative sessions in the United States, legislators from various states have introduced proposals to legalize igaming. In Maryland, Virginia, Wyoming, New York, Massachusetts, and Indiana, debates will begin on bills that promote the legalization of online games in their territory.
Maryland legislators are making another effort to legalize online casinos in the state. Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary presented House Bill 17, a new law that seeks to authorize online gambling and regulate it through the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission (MSLGCC). The bill was introduced on January 8 and, if approved, would require a constitutional amendment to proceed, triggering a state referendum.
The proposed bill outlines a licensing fee of USD1m for operators, with licenses issued for a period of five years. Video lottery operators are eligible to apply for online gambling licenses under HB 17. A significant portion of the revenue generated by online gambling would be allocated to public education. Additionally, the bill proposes that 1 percent of the annual online gambling revenue be allocated to the state fund against problem gambling to address related issues.
In Virginia, Senator Mamie Locke introduced a bill that would legalize online casinos in the state. The proposal includes live dealer games. According to the legislation, casinos would pay an application fee of USD1m. Virginia would tax the industry at 15 percent, with 2.5 percent going to responsible gaming initiatives, while 97.5 percent would go to the general fund.
The provisions described in the bill include licenses that remain valid for five years, distinct branding requirements for each platform, including secondary brands for poker platforms, and advertising standards that require the display of responsible gaming information.
Several legislators from Wyoming are pushing House Bill 162, which aims to legalize and regulate interactive games under the supervision of the Wyoming Gaming Commission. The legislative piece was introduced by Robert Davis and is co-sponsored by Representative Landon Brown and J.T. Larson.
Operators interested in obtaining an igaming license would be subject to a fee of USD100,000. Each license would be granted for a period of five years, and after the expiration of that period, the igaming operator would pay a renewal fee of USD50,000.
Meanwhile, in New York, Senator Joseph Addabbo is making another attempt to legalize online casino games in the state. The bill SB 2614 would legalize online lottery and poker sales, as well as casino games.
According to it, licensed operators would be authorized to offer table games, slot games, peer-to-peer poker, and live dealer games. Live dealer games would have to be conducted in a live gaming studio located in New York.
The legislation proposes a one-time licensing fee of USD2m for operators. Independent contractors providing a mobile interactive gaming platform and displaying their brand would have to pay a one-time fee of USD10m. The proposal is almost identical to a bill that Addabbo proposed last year and which did not advance.
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Senator Paul Feeney and Representative Daniel Cahill have proposed legislation that seeks to bring online casino games to Massachusetts. SD 2240 and HD 4084 would allow the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to regulate and grant licenses to online casinos in the state.
According to the proposed legislation, the three existing land-based casinos could each partner with up to two online casino operators (Category 1), while up to four additional operators could receive licenses. Category 2 licenses would allow companies not associated with casinos to enter the market without a physical presence in the state. They could operate poker, blackjack, craps, roulette, cards, slots, and other casino games.
Online casino licensees would pay a fee of USD5m for licenses with a duration of five years. The bills propose a tax rate of 20 percent on revenues.
Indiana Representative Ethan Manning has introduced House Bill 1432, which aims to legalize and regulate both online lotteries and online casinos in the state. If approved, it would allow residents to play digital versions of poker, blackjack, slots, and digital lottery games, such as instant games and drawings.
The Indiana Gaming Commission would oversee online casinos. Casinos and state racetracks would be eligible to obtain a license, which would require an initial payment of USD500,000. Each license would authorize up to three brands per operator.
