Industry News For The Week Of February 2, 2025

By iDEA | February 6, 2025

Florida

On Monday, the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) announced that it has sent cease and desist orders to three companies operating online casinos that Floridians can access. The recipients’ gambling websites include some of the most well-known offshore casinos, including Bovada. This is not the first time the relatively young FGCC has tried to interrupt online gaming it views as violating state law.

Maryland

Maryland legislators could consider banning online sweepstakes games as they also consider legalizing online casinos. Sen. Paul Corderman introduced SB 860 last week, a bill prohibiting online social sweepstakes games. The legislation comes as Maryland lawmakers also consider legalizing online casinos. The bill defines an online sweepstakes game as an internet platform that uses a dual-currency system and simulates casino-style gambling, sports betting, and lottery games.

Mississippi

The Mississippi House has made quick work of an online sports betting bill, sending the issue to the Senate for the second year in a row. With an 88-10 vote, lawmakers in the Mississippi House on Monday sent forward Rep. Casey Eure’s House Bill 1302, which would legalize online sports betting in Mississippi. The bill passed the House Gaming Committee last week.

Ohio

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is pushing to raise sports betting taxes again. In his 2026-27 budget, DeWine proposed doubling the Ohio sports betting tax rate to 40% from 20%. In his budget in 2023, DeWine doubled the tax rate to 20% from 10%. Ohio lawmakers legalized sports betting in 2022 with a 10% tax rate. The proposed increased tax revenue would go toward youth sports and stadium projects.

Pennsylvania  

On Sunday, the Philadelphia Eagles‘ second Super Bowl appearance in three years is expected to set a handle record for Pennsylvania sportsbooks. Once again, the Eagles are facing the Kansas City Chiefs, hoping to halt the NFL’s first three-peat. Legal Sports Report (LSR) lead writer Eric Ramsey is projecting Pennsylvania to generate $88.2 million in total bets during the Big Game.

On Tuesday, Gov. Josh Shapiro included Pennsylvania skill games regulation and a tax structure in his FY 2025/2026 budget address. However, his plan is slightly different from what he proposed last year. The machines have been operating in a gray area throughout the Keystone State for years. Gov. Shapiro proposed a 52% tax on the revenue, which is near the price Pennsylvania casinos are paying on slot revenue.

Texas

With momentum continuing to build for Texas sports betting, Gov. Greg Abbott has changed his tune. Earlier this year, Abbott was neutral on legalizing Texas sports betting. This week, on the Texas Take Podcast, the governor said he has no objection to legalization. The Texas Constitution prohibits gambling expansion. Therefore, legislation must be approved by two-thirds of the legislature before being sent to voters.

Wisconsin

This month, the Wisconsin Policy Forum released a report detailing the concerns lawmakers need to consider before expanding sports betting in Wisconsin. Legalizing statewide commercial sportsbooks would require a constitutional amendment. Wisconsin is one of five states that allows sports betting only through operations run by the state’s tribal nations. The Badger State only allows in-person sports betting on tribal land.

Wyoming

A Wyoming legislative committee has snubbed a bill to legalize online casinos in the state. Interest in discussing the proposal was markedly absent during a committee meeting on Monday. With this development, prospects continue to dim for any new US jurisdiction regulating iGaming in 2025. However, the debate over the issue in Wyoming could continue into future years.

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