The legal landscape of gambling in the United States is complex, ever-shifting, and shaped by individual state choices. There's no federal green light or red light—what you can or can't legally wager on depends entirely on where you live. Over the past decade, more states have loosened restrictions on casinos, sports betting, and online gambling, creating a patchwork of legislation that rewards those who stay informed.
In 2025, the momentum hasn’t stopped. More legislative proposals are hitting the floor, regulatory agencies are tightening standards, and states are racing to cash in on the tax revenue potential. But to understand where we are, you have to understand where gambling has been—and how gambling laws in your state can vary wildly from the next.
Gambling Is a State Game
There’s no single rulebook for gambling in the US. Every state is its own regulatory body. The result is a fragmented legal framework. Some states allow commercial casinos, others tribal only. Some permit sports betting but ban online poker. And a handful still ban nearly all forms of betting.
As of 2025:
- Nevada, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania remain the gold standards for full-scale gambling. They permit land-based casinos, online casinos, and sportsbooks.
- States like Utah and Hawaii ban all forms of gambling, including lotteries. Zero tolerance.
- Thirty-eight states now allow some form of sports betting, whether online, retail, or both.
- Online gambling (casino-style games) is legal in only seven states, with Michigan and West Virginia recently joining the list.
- Tribal casinos operate under compacts that are separate from commercial gambling laws, creating an additional layer of complexity.
Why It’s Not Uniform
The federal government allows states to determine their own laws regarding gambling. The Wire Act of 1961, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), and PASPA (which was overturned in 2018) once tried to restrict or guide gambling, but in the modern landscape, it’s state gambling sovereignty that rules.
This autonomy is why US gambling laws remain inconsistent. For instance, New York legalized sports betting in 2022 but only allowed online casinos under strict geofencing and data-sharing agreements in 2024. Meanwhile, California—despite having massive tribal casino networks—still has no legal online sports betting due to failed ballot initiatives.
The 2025 Regulatory Wave
While there were no changes to federal online gambling laws in 2025, several states introduced or passed new legislation to expand legal online casino gaming, sports betting, and multi-state online poker. States also focused on strengthening consumer protections and increasing tax rates on existing legal gambling.
Federal law: No new changes
Regulation of online casino gaming and online poker remains a state-level decision.
- Status quo held: Despite ongoing discussions and suggestions for federal oversight, the federal framework for online gambling did not change in 2025.
- Individual state control: Following the 2018 Supreme Court decision that overturned PASPA (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act), each state maintains the authority to regulate online gambling within its borders.
State-level changes (new or pending) in 2025
Several states saw legislative efforts to expand online gambling in 2025, continuing a trend of exploring new revenue streams.
- Ohio: Bills introduced in the state legislature proposed the broad legalization of online casinos, poker, and lottery games, with a potential launch by March 2026.
- Maryland: Bills were active in 2025 to allow existing casinos to expand into online casino offerings, though legislative hurdles, including a required voter referendum, may push a final decision to 2026.
- Virginia: Legislation was under consideration to permit retail casinos to partner with online platforms for online casino and poker games.
- Maine: New legislation sought to empower tribal gaming authorities to partner with online operators for online poker. The bill has broad support but still requires administrative rule-making before launch.
Regulatory updates for existing markets
States with existing online gambling markets strengthened their regulations to protect consumers and capture more tax revenue.
- Increased taxes: Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, and New Jersey all passed laws increasing taxes on online gaming and sports betting to address budget needs.
- Expanded liquidity: The multi-state online poker market grew. Pennsylvania joined the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), allowing players there to compete against players in Michigan and New Jersey. BetRivers Poker also launched its platform in several MSIGA states, including Delaware and West Virginia.
- Stronger oversight: States like Connecticut, which already have regulated online casinos, focused on increasing oversight and consumer protections.
- Targeting sweepstakes: Some states, including Michigan, Maryland, and West Virginia, took action against online sweepstakes platforms, often using cease-and-desist letters to crack down on their operations.
Why You Should Pay Attention to Gambling Laws in Your State
If you're operating or considering a move into the gambling or sports betting space (whether as an affiliate, platform provider, or even a user), state-level updates can make or break your strategy. A single law change can unlock millions in new opportunities or block you from operating altogether.
For instance, a content publisher that generated traffic from New York sports bettors in 2023 saw a big traffic drop when the state banned certain affiliate structures in 2024. Conversely, a betting tech firm based in Austin secured a lucrative contract this year when Texas opened the gates to regulated sports betting.
Gamble Away
Gambling in the United States is not governed by a single law. It’s a state-by-state game where timing, regulation, and local politics dictate everything. Whether you're a developer building betting apps, a marketer launching affiliate sites, or a legal consultant tracking compliance, keeping up with changes in us gambling law is no longer optional.
The shifts in 2025 show that the landscape is getting tighter, more strategic, and increasingly data-driven. Understanding the trajectory of state gambling laws isn't just about knowing where to play. It's about knowing how to win.
