Several states across the country have been busy this week, as bills related to gambling have been filed, marking a potential desire for stronger regulations or new introductions in the industry.
Representatives across Virginia, Florida, New Jersey, Indiana, New York, Nebraska, Mississippi, and Missouri have made the filings.
Which US states have filed gambling bills in 2026?
Virginia
One of the most significant, if it were to be brought in, is the bill in Virginia, the House Bill 161, which would see internet gaming in the Commonwealth authorized and regulated by the Virginia Lottery Board.
From the US Poker Community Discord, A bill was proposed in the Virginia legislature to legalize online poker, join the MSIGA and ban sweepstakes gaming https://t.co/hdPoa90nEl
— Kevin Mathers (@Kevmath) January 7, 2026
The summary reads: “The bill requires a casino gaming operator that intends to conduct internet gaming to submit a separate notice of intent to the Director of the Virginia Lottery for each internet gaming platform that it intends to offer, up to three, accompanied by a $2 million platform fee that is to be deposited into the Internet Gaming Platform Fee Holding Fund for the purpose of funding start-up costs and other costs associated with the implementation and creation of a gaming commission.”
New Jersey
Moving away from Virginia, the Assembly Bill 6081 has been 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 would establish a self-exclusion list for State Lottery games.
Florida
Over in Florida, Bill 1164 includes tweaks to the gambling codes, with a number of changes included that were proposed previously but were not passed. Within this bill, some of the changes include “deleting language concerning factors to be considered in appointments to the Florida Gaming Control Commission,” as well as “defining the terms Internal gambling and Internet sports wagering”, and more.
Indiana
In Indiana, House Bill 1078 was introduced on January 5 with this potentially authorizing the lottery commission to operate the sale of draw games and eInstant games over the Internet. Also in Indiana, House Bill 1235 aims to authorize wagering on video gaming terminals in certain establishments.
Indiana Rep. Doug Miller is calling for an amendment to HB 1052 that would legalize iGaming. Sounds like the same bill the House passed last year.
Miller’s amendment would also create a problem gambling fund.
Amend. #7 is about regulation, he said
— Steve Bittenbender (@BittGDCG) January 6, 2026
This would also see the establishment of a licensing structure for participants in video gaming, while imposing a video gaming wagering tax 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 an outright ban on sweepstakes casinos.
Nebraska
Similar bills have been filed in Missouri and Mississippi, while Nebraska Bill 421 has been carried over from last year and this aims to allow an authorized gaming operator to conduct sports wagering by means of an online sports wagering platform under the Nebraska Racetrack Gaming Act.
New York
Then, finally, two bills have been introduced in New York. The Bill 2614, which was initially introduced in January of last year, has been referred to racing, gaming and wagering. If passed, this would allow interactive gaming and lottery gaming in the state of New York.
The other, Bill 6030, was introduced on January 7, with this to allow certain interactive poker games to be considered games of skill rather than games of luck. It includes definitions, required safeguards and minimum standards too.
Featured Image: AI-generated via Ideogram
