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Renewed optimism for online casino legalization has followed the midterm elections, but it may not be justified, according to a Casino Reports analysis by Steve Ruddock published Nov. 9. The article reviews Ohio, Washington, D.C. and online casino bills in several other states.
Ohio: new governor, same legislature
Casino Reports identifies Ohio as a major focus for industry efforts to legalize online casinos. Past expansion efforts there did not gain much traction, the article says. Opposition includes JACK Entertainment and Churchill Downs, both National Association Against iGaming members, and Penn Entertainment, which supports online casino expansion only if it is run through land-based casinos.
Outgoing Gov. Mike DeWine opposed online casinos and criticized sports betting legalization. He said: "This is just not an incremental increase in gaming."
DeWine will be succeeded by Amy Acton. Through a spokesperson, Acton said she is open to online gambling expansion if it is done responsibly and revenue is used for public schools, childcare, and measures reducing costs and property taxes.
Both chambers of the Ohio legislature remain controlled by Republicans, including a Senate supermajority, according to the article. It also says split state governments often do not want to help an opposing-party governor look like a bipartisan bridge-builder.
Washington, D.C. bill moved to a hearing
Casino Reports reports a potential late push in Washington, D.C. to legalize online casinos, but says time is limited and legislative procedure is complicated.
The bill, CB 260656, is titled the Internet Gaming and Consumer Protection Act of 2026. It was introduced in the Council on April 9, 2026, and referred to the Committee on Human Services on April 21. According to the bill page, it would authorize and regulate internet gaming in the District under a licensing, consumer protection, responsible gaming, taxation, reporting and enforcement framework administered by the Office of Lottery and Gaming. It would also require Certified Business Enterprise participation plans for internet gaming operators and establish a Community Reinvestment Fund.
According to Casino Reports, the bill would legalize online casino games and prohibit sweepstakes sites, with a $2 million licensing fee and a 25% tax rate plus a 2% local fee. A hearing was held May 4 and ended without a vote after four hours of debate.
Status of bills in other states
Casino Reports describes the picture elsewhere:
- Illinois: Two bills are active, HB 4797 and HB 4802, the latter described as poker-only. Gov. JB Pritzker called iCasinos an idea worth exploring last year, but the article says the state still faces opposition from the politically powerful VGT industry. In January 2026, Citizens reported that Accel management said "there is no shot" of iGaming legalization in the state. The article also says a March 13, 2025 legislative hearing turned into an anti-legalization struggle session.
- Hawaii: SB 1507 and HB 1434 missed the legislative deadline and are effectively dead for the year.
- Maryland: Sen. Ron Watson introduced SB 884 and SB 885. SB 884 was withdrawn, and SB 885 failed to pass the Senate before the crossover deadline.
- Massachusetts: HB 4431 was sent to study on March 23, effectively ending it for the year. Treasurer Deborah Goldberg said: "I, right now, am firmly against iGaming."
- Virginia: HB 161 and SB 118 advanced to a conference committee but failed to win approval.
- New York: The article reports growing optimism after downstate casino licenses were awarded, but says hurdles remain, including labor unions and cannibalization concerns.
Casino Reports says its bill list will be revised as new bills are introduced and reset at the start of the 2027 legislative cycle.
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Source: As reported by Casino Reports.
