iGaming, also known as real money gaming, is one of the largest markets in the global gaming industry. Encompassing online casino and poker games, as well as online and mobile sports betting, iGaming has taken the world by storm over the past decade and is set to be worth as much as $127.3 billion by 2027.
Having become much more widespread in the US since the late 2010s, iGaming on American shores is proving to be a popular addition to the country’s online gaming offering.
If you live, work, or simply vacation in the States, it’s useful to stay on top of gaming legislation in the country – particularly when it comes to knowing where and what you can play.
Sports Betting
Online and mobile sports betting takes the traditional activity of placing wagers on sports, political and sociological events, and updates it for the modern consumer. Digital sports betting is popular with a wide variety of consumers, from novice bettors all the way through to pro punters.
In the US, the following states have fully l online and mobile sports betting activities:
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- West Virginia
- Indiana
- Iowa
- New Hampshire
- Nevada
- Delaware
- Oregon
- Colorado
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Michigan
- Virginia
- Montana
- Illinois
- Wyoming
- Washington D.C
- Arizona
Arizona is the latest state to have launched online sports betting platforms within its territory. The state went in on developing the vertical since it was legalized in April 2021, offering a total of 10 licenses for pro sports teams and 10 for tribal organizations.
Online Casino
A staple presence in the iGaming market, online casino platforms have kept gamers entertained for years with a mix of real money and free-to-play games and activities. Casino games are timeless and have a universal appeal, so by combining them with cutting-edge technology, operators have been able to push the limits of what’s possible in a digital gaming environment.
In the US, the following states have fully legalized online casino games and platforms:
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- West Virginia
- Delaware
- Michigan
Michigan holds the title of being the newest state to provide a home for online casino gaming, with platforms launching in January 2021. Unlike other states, the law in Michigan does not permit multi-state gaming for the online casino vertical. There are a total of three commercial operators and twelve tribal casino operators that have been permitted to apply for licensing; however, they’re limited to one online skin per vertical.
Online Poker
When non-gamers think of iGaming the one vertical that typically comes to mind is online poker. Online poker is the quintessential skill-based gaming experience and it’s a huge vertical that includes playing money games, professional tournaments, and online championships.
Compared to online casinos and sports betting activities, there are currently a limited number of states that have fully legislated online poker within their territories. These are:
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- West Virginia*
- Nevada
- Delaware
- Michigan
As the newest US vertical, online poker is only a few years old. However, it’s proving to be the most lucrative for operators. States like New Jersey and Pennsylvania have consistently pulled in record amounts of revenue, even when other sectors of the market have experienced fluctuations.
*online poker was legalized in West Virginia in March 2019. The five land-based casinos have been granted licenses, but so far none have launched an online poker provision.
