US states are busy filing gambling bills, with nine introduced this year

Several states in the country have been occupied this week, such as gambling bills have been filed, marking a potential desire for stricter regulations or new introductions in the industry.

Representatives from Virginia, Florida, New Jersey, Indiana, New York, Nebraska, Mississippi and Missouri filed the briefs.

Which US states have introduced gambling bills in 2026?

Virginia

One of the most important, if it were to pass, would be the bill in Virginia, Parliamentary Bill 161which would see Internet gaming in the Commonwealth authorized and regulated by the Virginia Lottery Board.

From the US Poker Community Discord, a bill has been proposed in the Virginia legislature to legalize online poker, join MSIGA, and ban lottery games. https://t.co/hdPoa90nEl

-Kevin Mathers (@Kevmath) January 7, 2026

The summary reads: “The bill requires a casino gaming operator that intends to offer Internet gaming to submit a separate notice of intent to the Director of the Virginia Lottery for each Internet gaming platform it intends to offer, up to three, accompanied by a $2 million platform fee to be deposited into the Internet Gaming Platform Fee Holding Fund for the purpose of financing start-up costs and other costs associated with implementing and establishing a gaming commission.”

New Jersey

Moving away from Virginia, the Assembly Bill 6081 was reported and referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee this week in New Jersey, but it was originally introduced in November of last year. This would allow courier services to sell instant lottery game tickets electronically and establish a self-exclusion list for state lottery games.

Florida

In Florida, Bill 1164 includes changes to the game codes, with a number of changes that were previously proposed but not adopted. In this bill, some of the changes include “deleting language regarding factors to be considered in appointments to the Florida Gaming Control Commission“, as well as “define the terms internal gambling and Internet sports betting”, and more.

Indiana

In Indiana, House Bill 1078 was introduced on January 5, potentially authorizing the Lottery Commission to operate the sale of draw games and eInstant games over the Internet. Still in Indiana, Parliamentary Bill 1235 aims to authorize betting on video game terminals in certain establishments.

Indiana Rep. Doug Miller is calling for an amendment to HB 1052 that would legalize iGaming. This looks like the same bill the House passed last year.

Miller’s amendment would also create a problem gambling fund.

To modify. Number 7 is about regulation, he said.

–Steve Bittenbender (@BittGDCG) January 6, 2026

This would also see the establishment of a licensing structure for video game participants, while imposing a tax on video game betting of 30% of adjusted gross receipts. Earlier this week, we also reported that testimony on Indiana House Bill 1052 was heard the same day, calling for a outright ban on sweepstakes casinos.

Nebraska

Similar bills have been introduced in Missouri and Mississippi, while Nebraska Bill 421 was carried over from last year and aims to enable a gaming operator authorized to carry out sports betting through an online sports betting platform under the Nebraska Racetrack Gaming Act.

new York

Then finally, two bills were introduced in New York. THE Bill 2614which was initially introduced in January last year, referred to racing, gaming and betting. If passed, this measure would allow interactive gaming and lottery games in New York State.

The other, Bill 6030was introduced on January 7, to allow certain interactive poker games to be considered games of skill rather than games of luck. It also includes definitions, required safeguards and minimum standards.

Featured Image: AI-generated via Ideogram

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