The US gambling sector has been in a constant state of change following the end of the federal ban on sports betting in May 2018. States are now embracing gambling like never before, with even historically conservative regions understanding the benefits that embracing the sector can bring.
We decided to look into our crystal ball to predict some of the regulatory changes that 2025 might bring both in the US and overseas. Be sure to check back at the end of the year to see how right or wrong we got them.
Eventual issuance of NYC casino licenses
The topic of downstate New York casino licenses has been on everyone’s lips since 2022. The prediction is that the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) will finally reveal the three successful bidders by the end of 2025.
While they’ll carry hefty license fees of around $500m, almost a dozen interested parties are still battling for approval.
favorites are MGM’s Empire City and the Genting-owned Resorts World New York City
The two favorites are MGM’s Empire City and the Genting-owned Resorts World New York City, although the latter’s recent troubles with its Las Vegas resort have reportedly caused some concern within the NYSGC ranks.
The delay in considering casino licenses is good news for certain applicants who are still trying to untangle zoning issues. The most prominent of these proposals is one from billionaire Steve Cohen, who wants to build an $8bn casino adjacent to the New York Mets’ Citi Field. Local lawmakers stood in his way, so he’s now looking at workarounds to get his bid back on track.
With Cohen so well-connected in the city it wouldn’t be surprising to see him join Empire City and Resorts World as successful applicants.
Tighter regulation of sweepstakes casinos
One of the big issues in the closing months of 2024 was the prevalence of sweepstakes casinos. These supposedly free-to-play platforms are becoming big business across the US, with the sector worth an estimated $2.5bn. The established gambling industry is now taking notice due to certain aspects of their operations.
Some people believe they’re offering a form of unlicensed gambling, as players can enjoy online slots and table games while having the ability to spend real money to buy virtual tokens and build up enough on-platform currency to conduct real money payouts.
tribes originally raised the issue as they saw the threat it poses to their exclusivity
California’s gaming tribes originally raised the issue as they saw the threat it poses to their exclusivity over certain types of casino games. Gaming operators that previously battled against the tribes on other issues are allying to combat sweepstakes platforms.
The American Gaming Association (AGA) commented on the matter in November, detailing how sweepstakes casinos only came onto their radar recently after realizing just how much money these platforms make. It seems inevitable that a big crackdown on these platforms is coming next year.
Texas sports betting
As the second most-populated US state with millions of residents, Texas would be a massive sports betting market. Attempts to legalize the activity have been consistently shot down in the state Senate, with conservative Republicans led by Lieutenant Dan Patrick not wanting to expand gambling.
Another push is likely when the 2025 legislative session begins in January. While the appetite for change is certainly growing, legal sports betting in Texas is still a ways off.
make room for someone in the Texas Senate who’s a bit more sympathetic
Seemingly, the only chance is for incoming US President Donald Trump to appoint Patrick to his administration, which would make room for someone in the Texas Senate who’s a bit more sympathetic to the idea of sports betting. Trump hasn’t indicated so far if he will make such an appointment.
Explaining the tricky situation, UTSA political scientist Jon Taylor said: “Texans love to gamble, and they love to elect lawmakers to prevent them from doing so.”
Thailand getting casinos
Casino gambling is gradually expanding globally, with integrated resorts now under development in Japan and the UAE after approvals in recent years. Thailand appears to be the next tourist hotspot to get casinos.
With 28 million people visiting the country in 2023, the potential impact of such facilities would likely be a massive boom for the area. Lawmakers debated the topic throughout 2024 and appear to be planning to finalize legalization in 2025.
Not much iGaming movement
Online casinos are still only available in seven US states, which is surprising given how some form of legal sports betting is now legal in 39 states.
hesitant to expand laws for what they see as more addictive forms of gambling
Lawmakers are more hesitant to expand laws for what they see as more addictive forms of gambling. Regions with existing commercial and tribal casino industries also don’t want to cannibalize the land-based revenues.
No states look likely to pass iGaming legislation in 2025, although the usual suspects will likely attempt to do so. For example, Assemblyman Gary Pretlow and Senator Joseph Addabbo have filed bills over the past few years to try to get the measure over the line in New York to no avail.