As state legislators get back to work in 2025, several bodies will debate on allowing online casino gambling — including online poker — to be run in their jurisdictions. Politicians in Wyoming, Indiana, Massachusetts and New York will decide the fate of online poker and casino games this session.
Wyoming
Lawmakers in Wyoming have introduced a bill that would regulate all forms of online casino gambling throughout the state, and not only includes framework for online poker, but also includes language that would approve sharing player liquidity with other states by joining the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA).
HB01262 doesn’t mention MSIGA directly, but makes it clear that if approved, lawmakers would apply to join the agreement that allows online poker sites in members states to share player pool among each other. Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, Delaware, and West Virginia make up MSIGA. Pennsylvania is currently in the process to join.
New York
A New York legislator submitted a bill to expand online gambling in his state that includes online poker. Sen. Joseph Addabbo’s (D) Senate Bill S2614 would allow the state’s nine online sports books and brick and mortar casinos to spread online casino games, including poker.
This isn’t the first time Addabbo tried to bring online poker and casino gambling to New York, but his last several attempts died in committee. Online sports books handled more than $23 billion in wagers last year, generating about $1 billion in taxes for New York.
Gross online gaming revenue would be taxed at 33.5%, which is smaller than the 51% tax on mobile sports betting.
Massachusetts
Two bills have been introduced in Massachusetts that would allow companies to set up online casinos that also include poker. Massachusetts iGaming bill, HD 4084, was introduced by MA State Representative Daniel Cahill, while the complementary Senate version, SD 2240, was introduced by State Senator Paul R. Feeney.
There’s no language in the bills that would direct the state to apply to join MSIGA. Without becoming a member of the pact, it’s doubtful that online poker sites would set up shop there thanks to the small amount potential customers.
Indiana
Indiana State Rep. Ethan Manning has once again introduced a bill that would allow companies to spread online casino games and poker. Online sports betting has been legal in the state since 2019. House Bill 1432 has already made it through the House Public Policy Committee.
“Hoosiers are already playing casino games online – just Google it,” said Manning, chairman of the House Public Policy Committee, told the Indy Star. “This is happening already. Let’s authorize it, let’s regulate it, let’s make it appropriate, and obviously we see huge potential for tax revenue as well.”
Indiana is already the home to 13 casinos. While the gambling industry as a whole supports online gambling expansion in Indiana, Churchill Downs and Penn National registered their opposition to the bill through lobbyists, according to the Indy Star.
