The coming year could prove fruitful for US online gambling, with several states potentially poised to unlock sports betting and online casino gaming in 2026. This follows a crucial movement in 2025, when Missouri became the 39th state to legalize sports betting.
While iGaming products have experienced timid growth compared to sports betting, select states – including Massachusetts, Ohio, Virginia and Illinois – have introduced promising motions that could open the door to online casino entertainment.
In this iGaming and sports betting deep-dive, you’ll discover which states might implement successful gambling legislation to allow regulated online casino and sports betting in 2026.
Which US states could legalize sports betting and online casinos in 2026?
The fall of PASPA (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act) in 2018 allowed states to legalize and modify sports betting rules without federal oversight – culminating in the introduction of sports betting across 39 of 50 states (plus Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.).
And, although legal online casino gaming existed long before legal online sports betting, currently, just seven states permit internet-based casino entertainment.
However, the state of play could change throughout 2026, with fresh legislation and a keenness for increased tax revenue potentially swaying lawmakers toward the regulated online gambling industry.
Importantly, each US state is free to create its own rules when it comes to online gambling. In turn, certain states offer sports betting but not iGaming, and vice versa. Here, we evaluate how states might introduce online casinos and sports betting in 2026.
States most likely to legalize online casinos in 2026
In this section, you’ll see which states are most likely to develop legal frameworks for online casinos in 2026.
1. Ohio
- Sports betting: Legal
- Online casinos: Illegal
Ohio should sit at the top of every iGaming watchlist in 2026, with a legalization proposal, Senate Bill 197, expected to be reassessed during the year’s legislative session.
This motion endeavors to legalize online casinos and sports betting – complete with tax stipulations targeting increased statewide revenue. A further iGaming motion, HB 298, is also likely to be discussed this year.
The main sticking point is Governor Mike DeWine’s vocal anti-iGaming stance; he may opt to veto either proposal should they land on his desk.
2. Massachusetts
- Sports betting: Legal
- Online casinos: Illegal
Motions to legalize iGaming products gained momentum but collapsed in 2025, with two bills stalling after public hearings. An additional iGaming legalization proposal, Bill H.4431, currently sits under consideration and may be debated during the 2026 legislative session.
FanDuel, Caesars and DraftKings serve as the primary online sportsbooks now active in Massachusetts. Should the state warm to iGaming, these operators may look to weave their casino platforms into The Bay State.
All in all, Massachusetts sits as a frontrunner to create a new regulated iGaming market in 2026.
3. Virginia
- Sports betting: Legal
- Online casinos: Illegal
Sports betting hit Virginia in 2021, and 2026 promises to be another successful year for the local gambling market. An iGaming bill, SB 827, remains in play for 2026 – with online sports betting and lottery regulation paving the way for legal online casino gaming. Officials will debate the proposed measure this year.
Thus, Virginia is among the most likely to legalize online casinos in 2026.
4. Illinois
- Sports betting: Legal
- Online casinos: Illegal
In 2025, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul hinted that online casino gambling could arrive in the state during 2026.
The longstanding AG predicted that mobile casinos would serve as the next wave of virtual gambling – and legislative officials will meet between January and May, and then again later in the fall, to determine an appropriate path forward. Bills must be prepared by officials to generate any movement ahead of these sessions.
Online casino legalization would accompany Illinois online sports betting, which went live in June 2020.
5. New York
- Sports betting: Legal
- Online casinos: Illegal
New York is on the cusp of major retail gambling expansion through three brand-new licenses for operators issued at the tail-end of 2025.
State legislators understand that casino gambling can benefit the wider region and, despite recent iGaming bill failures, the Big Apple’s increasing dependence on casino revenue may force online casino legalization over the line in 2026.
Comments made by Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr. in December 2025 doubled down on the state’s iGaming compatibility, as the Democrat and online casino advocate underpinned the importance of blocking sweepstakes platforms to make way for regulated operators. An online casino bill is anticipated soon.
Online sports betting has been available in New York since 2022.
6. Indiana
- Sports betting: Legal
- Online casinos: Illegal
Retail casinos are open to Indiana residents and visitors, but recent attempts to establish an online market, such as the 2023 Interactive Gaming bill, have been rejected by legislators.
Financial reports and studies focused on online gambling demonstrate the fiscal strength that a local iGaming industry could bring – lawmakers may leverage these results to push for regulated online casinos in 2026.
Online sports betting launched in 2019, with up to 40 licenses on the table.
7. Kentucky
- Sports betting: Legal
- Online casinos: Illegal
Throughout the 2020s, Kentucky lawmakers have sought to loosen the state’s previously stringent online betting rules.
Success came in 2023 as online sports betting hit the ground running – but a 2025 proposal to unveil online casinos ultimately failed. However, the appetite for Kentucky online casinos remains active. Keep tabs on this state for possible iGaming legalization in 2026.
8. Maine
- Sports betting: Legal
- Online casinos: Illegal
One of the most promising states for online casino legalization in 2026 comes in the form of Maine. In 2025, lawmakers passed a motion to grant the Wabanaki tribes exclusive management of statewide iGaming services.
That proposal, titled LD 1164, could be signed into law by Janet Mills during this legislative session.
Mobile sports gambling is open to all players located within Maine.
9. Maryland
- Sports betting: Legal
- Online casinos: Illegal
Unsuccessful proposals to establish a legal online casino structure in Maryland in 2024 and 2025 were quickly followed by cease and desists against illegal gambling operators as 2026 approached.
Now, the Free State looks set to explore one of two directions: resist iGaming entirely, or welcome a regulated industry sometime soon.
One element working in the state’s favor is that Maryland is no stranger to mobile gambling, following its 2022 sports betting launch.
10. Wyoming
- Sports betting: Legal
- Online casinos: Illegal
Wyoming has shown clear interest in producing a stable iGaming industry – in 2024, the state welcomed a study on the potential impact of mobile casino gaming, and a new committee was formed last year to continue market analysis.
A 2025 motion to legalize online casinos garnered attention, but eventually died following a Committee ballot. If any traditionally conservative state is to legalize iGaming in 2026, it is likely to be Wyoming.
Sports betting is available via mobile only.
States most likely to legalize online sports betting in 2026
Between political discourse, players clamoring for sportsbooks and revenue benefits, there are several reasons that these states may deliver sports betting this year…
1. Hawaii
- Sports betting: Illegal
- Online casinos: Illegal
A bill to legalize sports betting in Hawaii made unexpected progress in 2025 – the state is renowned for its staunch aversion to all gambling.
This year could see lawmakers return with an improved motion, making the island state a must-watch on every online sports betting watchlist.
2. Oklahoma
- Sports betting: Illegal
- Online casinos: Illegal
Oklahoma is one of an increasingly diminishing number of states that have yet to integrate online sports betting. Multiple bills to legalize mobile wagering failed to gain legislative support in 2025 – including tribal-only plans and traditional sportsbook partnerships.
If iGaming legislation were to arrive in 2026, it would mark a steep change of course for Oklahoma’s years-long anti-online-betting perspective. But, with the state Governor outwardly supporting tribal-led sports betting, it would be wise to expect some activity this year, be it simple discourse or concrete motions.
3. Georgia
- Sports betting: Illegal
- Online casinos: Illegal
Georgia came close to legalizing sports betting in 2025, but state legislators missed the deadline to vote on a critical bill that could have green-lit online wagering.
Attention now turns to 2026, when lawmakers will convene to potentially install a follow-up motion. Whether any future proposal includes online casino efforts remains to be seen.
4. Minnesota
- Sports betting: Illegal
- Online casinos: Illegal
Both sports betting and online casinos are prohibited in Minnesota, though not through a lack of legislative effort. Tax-related disagreements led to the death of a promising tribal-led 2024 motion, followed by an unsuccessful sports betting proposal in early 2025.
Could 2026 be the year Minnesota finally opens its virtual betting doors? If lawmakers can finally see eye-to-eye on core rules, legalization is possible.
5. Wisconsin
- Sports betting: Legal (retail only)
- Online casinos: Illegal
A vote on whether to allow mobile sports betting due to take place in 2025 will now be held in 2026, following an Assembly postponement.
According to officials backing the motion, Wisconsin would benefit from improved revenue for public safety, healthcare and roadworks as a direct result of online sports wagering legalization.
However, iGaming has not received the same level of support from lawmakers and a meaningful bid has yet to enter the state.
Never say never: Other US states to legalize online casinos
These states have opted to dip one toe into the market via online and/or retail sports betting, and may leverage that momentum to legalize online casinos. Here, you can explore the states that could modify online gambling rules in 2026.
Arizona
- Sports betting: Legal
- Online casinos: Illegal
The legalization of online sports betting in 2021 represented a significant milestone for Arizona’s gambling scene, with DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM among the entities available in the state.
Yet, there is no clear motivation to cut the red tape on iGaming services in 2026. With that said, stranger things have definitely happened.
Colorado
- Sports betting: Legal
- Online casinos: Illegal
Land-based casino gaming is legal in Colorado through several retail establishments. However, statewide law specifically prohibits online casinos, preventing tangible momentum for virtual slots and table games.
Nevertheless, online sports betting went live in 2020 via BetMGM, DraftKings and more.
Florida
- Sports betting: Legal
- Online casinos: Illegal
Floridians may bet on sports events using Hard Rock Bet’s online sportsbook. Meanwhile, despite solid retail infrastructure, the route to online casino gaming remains decidedly unclear. A state to keep an eye on in 2026, for sure.
Iowa
- Sports betting: Legal
- Online casinos: Illegal
Iowa is home to a diverse range of retail casino venues, but – other than anti-sweepstakes action – the state has made narrow progress in the online arena.
Both online and land-based sports betting have been on the state’s docket since 2019, boasting over a dozen license holders.
Kansas
- Sports betting: Legal
- Online casinos: Illegal
One of the more unique cases in the US online gambling sphere is Kansas – instant win lottery games are permitted, while fully-fledged casino products are strictly banned.
State-owned, privately-operated casinos are also available, though there is little in the way of bills targeting online casino expansion. However, online sports gambling entered the state in 2022 which is always a good sign when it comes to online liniency.
Louisiana
- Sports betting: Legal
- Online casinos: Illegal
Major online sportsbooks operate in Louisiana in 2026, including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetRivers and Fanatics. Up to 41 licenses may be acquired by operators, providing ample room for additional sports betting providers.
Interestingly, lawmakers have shown notable disinterest in launching a stable online casino market. Louisiana’s retail casino successes and fortunate geographic location – in that it is surrounded by states that do not offer online casino products – could pave the way for a solid iGaming framework.
Mississippi
- Sports betting: Legal
- Online casinos: Illegal
Online casinos are not allowed in Mississippi, with officials taking direct action against offshore platforms in 2025. In terms of sports betting, players may engage in mobile-based wagering, but only while physically located inside operator-owned premises.
Missouri
- Sports betting: Legal
- Online casinos: Illegal
Missouri online sports betting platforms went live on December 1, 2025, with eight operators joining the state at launch. A similar breakthrough for online casino gaming has not yet been achieved…but movement should not be ruled out, either.
Montana
- Sports betting: Legal
- Online casinos: Illegal
Mobile sports wagering in Montana operates in the loosest sense – players must travel to lottery-run retail venues to access the online-only sportsbook, Sports Bet Montana.
Recent legislative efforts have focused primarily on protecting retail casinos by punishing illegal online casino operators, with multi-year prison sentences for offshore platform-holders.
Nebraska
- Sports betting: Legal (retail only)
- Online casinos: Illegal
Retail sports and casino gambling represent the only opportunities for betting in Nebraska; the state does not support online wagering.
As always, it’s important not to rule out potential rule changes – demonstrated by Nebraska’s 2020 constitutional amendments that brought about its current gambling framework.
Nevada
- Sports betting: Legal
- Online casinos: Illegal (poker only)
Despite being the nation’s gambling capital, Nevada does not offer iGaming services… bar one exception: poker. The Silver State is one of six states to support peer-to-peer poker rooms. Still, it remains without a fleshed-out iGaming structure.
Given its reliance on land-based casinos, it is unlikely, albeit not improbable, that 2026 will herald meaningful change for Nevada’s absent iGaming scene. Nevada also lags behind other states when it comes to online sports betting onboarding; players must register for mobile wagering in-person at a retail sportsbook or casino.
New Hampshire
- Sports betting: Legal
- Online casinos: Illegal
Senator Timothy Lang’s 2025 bill to legalize online casinos in New Hampshire failed before spring. Its unexpected momentum may inspire similar motions in 2026 – with charitable retail gaming being the sole avenue for casino-style entertainment.
The state’s online and land-based sports betting set-up could serve as a testbed for casino regulation, too.
North Carolina
- Sports betting: Legal
- Online casinos: Illegal
Another state that is slowly warming to online gambling is North Carolina, where mobile sports wagering went live in 2024. Word of equivalent online casino motions is currently subdued – but it’s worth watching this space in 2026.
Oregon
- Sports betting: Legal
- Online casinos: Illegal
DraftKings Sportsbook took over from the state lottery’s sports gambling platform in 2022, and the wagering behemoth now stands as Oregon’s only betting operator.
If online casinos were to become legal in the state – an unlikely event, given the lack of legal inclination – DraftKings should be expected to take the mantle.
Puerto Rico
- Sports betting: Legal
- Online casinos: Illegal
Online sports betting is available in Puerto Rico through platforms like FanDuel and BetMGM. Mobile casino operators are not yet legal – and there are no existing plans to nurture a working iGaming strategy – but the region is not stringently opposed to online gambling. Therefore, a 2026 opening for iGaming could theoretically take place.
Tennessee
- Sports betting: Legal
- Online casinos: Illegal
Unlike other states where sports betting is legal, Tennessee does not allow in-person wagering. Players can place bets online via licensed operators, such as DraftKings and FanDuel.
Retail casinos and iGaming products are strictly outlawed. Should lawmakers seek to incorporate slots and table games, it is likely that they will be available in an online-only format.
Vermont
- Sports betting: Legal
- Online casinos: Illegal
Much like Tennessee, Vermont’s sports betting structure only allows for mobile gambling – retail wagering is not supported.
There are no land-based casinos active in the state in 2026, and evidence suggests that iGaming legislation is highly unlikely, but not impossible, to come forth this year.
Washington, D.C.
- Sports betting: Legal
- Online casinos: Illegal
Sports betting arrived in the capital in 2024, with FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM and Fanatics being market leaders.
On the other side of the coin, D.C. lawmakers are as yet unmoved by the iGaming industry. Insubstantial movement is expected in 2026.
US states most unlikely to legalize online gambling in 2026
Certain states are strongly resistant to online gambling, as outlined below:
Alabama
- Sports betting: Illegal
- Online casinos: Illegal
Lawmakers in the Yellowhammer State presented motions to legalize sports betting and casino gaming in 2024 and 2025. Each proposal fell short, and the state remains unlikely to integrate legal online gambling any time soon.
Alaska
- Sports betting: Illegal
- Online casinos: Illegal
Alaska has stood in firm opposition against online wagering of any kind. For this reason, the state is not expected to emerge as a potential candidate for legal online casino or sports betting in 2026.
California
- Sports betting: Illegal
- Online casinos: Illegal
Despite attempts to create a legal framework for sports betting in recent years – most notably bills brought forth in 2022 – California is unlikely to legalize online wagering in 2026. Tribal casinos are available, albeit on a retail-only basis.
Idaho
- Sports betting: Illegal
- Online casinos: Illegal
Idaho has seen little to no movement on the sports betting and iGaming front since 2018. Anti-gambling sentiments are expected to remain firm in 2026, halting any mobile gambling motions.
New Mexico
- Sports betting: Legal (retail only)
- Online casinos: Illegal
Sports betting in New Mexico is operated by tribal groups – though there appears to be limited traction to broaden wagering functionality to include online. The same is true for online casinos; lawmakers have yet to push for a bill that might legalize iGaming operators.
North Dakota
- Sports betting: Legal (retail only)
- Online casinos: Illegal
All land-based sportsbooks and casinos in North Dakota are run by local tribes with minimal interest in iGaming legalization. In 2025, legislation to open the online market was quickly turned down. The situation is unlikely to shift this year.
South Carolina
- Sports betting: Illegal
- Online casinos: Illegal
There’s very little in the way of tangible iGaming or sports betting legalization bills in South Carolina. Things are unlikely to change in 2026.
South Dakota
- Sports betting: Legal (retail only)
- Online casinos: Illegal
Retail casinos are legal in South Dakota, but no recent motions to introduce iGaming infrastructure have been seen in the state. Legislators are keen to stick with land-based sports betting and casino entertainment for the time being.
Texas
- Sports betting: Illegal
- Online casinos: Illegal
Due to legislative scheduling, Texas will not legalize online casinos or sports betting in 2026.
Last year, Republican representatives announced that they would push back against any upcoming gambling bills. Whether this sentiment continues through to the next legislative session is unclear.
The next session begins in January 2027, preventing lawmakers from voting on gambling-related motions. Officials may develop sports betting and iGaming frameworks throughout this period.
Utah
- Sports betting: Illegal
- Online casinos: Illegal
Utah is one of the states least likely to legalize sports betting or online casinos in 2026. Not only does the Beehive State oppose all forms of gambling, but it also lacks a regulatory body to oversee potential gambling operations.
As such, Utah is considered a no-go zone for sportsbooks and online casinos.
Washington
- Sports betting: Legal (retail only)
- Online casinos: Illegal
In Washington, it is a criminal offense for players to engage in online casino games. Only tribal casinos are permitted to supply casino-focused entertainment through slots, poker and table games.
Mobile sports betting is equally limited – players must visit tribal venues to wager on events.
Major changes must occur for Washington to relinquish land-based tribal control of gambling activities.
Current states with legal iGaming and online sports betting
Right now, in January 2026, there are only seven states – out of 50 – that permit both legal online casino and online sports betting.
Connecticut
- Sports betting: Legal
- Online casinos: Legal
Connecticut stands as one of seven states to allow iGaming entertainment, having legalized online casinos in 2021. Players may also engage in sports wagering through DraftKings, FanDuel and Fanatics.
Delaware
- Sports betting: Legal
- Online casinos: Legal
Both sports betting and online casinos are available in The First State. The former went live in 2024, some six years after retail legalization, while the latter came to fruition in 2013 and is now operated by Rush Street Interactive.
Michigan
- Sports betting: Legal
- Online casinos: Legal
Michigan online casino gaming went live in January 2021, following the successful passage of the Lawful Internet Gaming Act. The state has since clamped down on offshore gambling operators – only allowing licensed brands like DraftKings and FanDuel to serve players.
Also contributing to Michigan’s gambling revenue is a booming online sports betting scene, which was set in motion in 2021.
New Jersey
- Sports betting: Legal
- Online casinos: Legal
New Jersey has delivered iGaming products to players since 2013 and, in 2023, the state extended its commitment to online casino services until 2033. Today, the Garden State is regarded as one of the nation’s most important states for iGaming and online sports betting.
Pennsylvania
- Sports betting: Legal
- Online casinos: Legal
A key state for gambling tax revenue, Pennsylvania’s relationship with sports betting and iGaming is one of the nation’s strongest.
Lawmakers passed a bill to legalize sports wagering before the Supreme Court’s PASPA ruling in 2018 in anticipation of the landmark decision, while online casinos launched one year later.
Rhode Island
- Sports betting: Legal
- Online casinos: Legal
Rhode Island leverages a monopoly-style model for its online casino functionality, with Bally’s granted full-scale ownership of all legal iGaming services within state lines. Sports betting also operates under a singular entity, Sportsbook Rhode Island.
West Virginia
- Sports betting: Legal
- Online casinos: Legal
West Virginia offers both online casinos and sports betting – joining a steadily expanding list of states to support two pillars of the modern gambling industry.
