Which US States Might Legalize Online Casinos in 2024?

Online casino gambling has been offered in some states since 2013 and currently, there are only 6 states that have legalized it. Connecticut is the most recent to do this in May 2021 and the state scooped $1.7 million in the first month in revenue. Whilst the US online gambling industry as a whole is set to make a revenue of $92.9 billion by 2023.

Delaware and New Jersey were the first trailblazers to legalize online casino gambling in the US almost a decade ago. Whilst Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia followed after. This then leads us to the question of which US states will be the next to legalize online casinos?

Will Illinois Continue Stalling?

You might find conflicting opinions on this state, but we have a feeling that it won’t be long before Illinois legalizes online casinos. The desire is there from the people and politicians and lengthy discussions have taken place. Online sports betting was legalized in 2019 and it’s already a thriving industry. 

Issues around online casino gambling arise from the local land-based casinos who rightly so, don’t want online operators taking away their business. 2021 saw the Internet Gaming Act look favorably toward getting online casino gambling off the ground due to the covid pandemic lockdowns. However since the House Bill stalled in the Rules Committee and Assignments phase, progress has waned since April 2021. 

We haven’t written Illinois off just yet though. And if the bills are passed it would mean regulators could issue temporary gambling licenses within 30 days of application.

What's Next for Louisiana?

Sports betting was legalized in the Bayou State in October of 2021 and mobile betting went live in January of this year. Promising signs for the launch of online casinos, but whilst things are looking up, Louisiana still remains on our ‘might legalize’ list for 2022.

When it comes to the gambling laws in this state, things are pretty complicated. Making online casinos legal in Louisiana “would require the favorable passage of legislation by the La. legislature” stated the chairman of the Louisiana State Gaming Control Board. The Governor would then need to pass this legislation, if he vetoes it then the actual legislature could override the Governor. So all hope is not necessarily not lost.

The next legislative session of 2022 is set to be held on March 14th and this will last until June 6th. A bill would need to be passed during this time for online casinos to become legal. With land-based casinos expanding fast and consumers' thirst for online gambling, it’s only a matter of time before Louisiana goes live.

Will 2022 Be the Year for Georgia?

This state is seriously tricky but we aren’t giving up hope. Georgia has a pretty straight and strict history when it comes to gambling and as a whole is highly conservative. Despite this, it launched the first online instant lottery in the US in 2012.

Sports betting isn't live here - yet. Expanding on the current gambling laws fell flat in 2020 discussions, which is still considered progress where Georgia is concerned. This passed at a 5-2 on a Senate Special Judiciary Committee and still needs to pass a two-thirds vote before it can be handed to the Governor to sign off.

Just like California's Silicon Valley, Atlanta is a hub for entertainment in the USA. Legalizing online casinos in Georgia could generate huge revenue from taxes. November 2022 is looking like a promising month for Georgia with the possibility of the state's lottery awarding online gambling licenses. It was commented recently by the Tipico US Head of Business Development that “there is optimism that 2022 could be the year” with Georgia voters having the final say.