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The online casino industry is slowly spreading through some states in the USA, but there are many regions that are sticking firmly to their stance. There has been some discussion in California about legalizing online casinos, but there haven’t been any proposed bills yet.
California has traditionally been steadfast, but it’s hard to ignore the success of other regions. States that have recently introduced online casinos have enjoyed immediate success and could inspire others to follow suit.
Could Pennsylvania’s Online Casino Boom Act as a Model for California?
There are certain states that California will be looking at enviously, with Pennsylvania acting as an example of what happens after online casino legalization. Online casinos were made available to people in the state a few years ago, and now some of the biggest names are operating there. There are even pages that provide coverage on all Pennsylvania online casinos, explaining who’s new to the area and where the best deals can be found. The main players include BetMGM, Jackpot City, and Spin Palace.
Legalizing online casinos has meant a massive surge in revenue for Pennsylvania. It was recently reported that the state has set a new standard for the iGaming market in the country, with $294 million generated in March this year. This was a new record for the country, smashing the one that Pennsylvania had previously set in December last year.
There are various aspects that have helped the iGaming market tin Pennsylvania to flourish. For example, there are various partnerships between online operators and land based casinos, and there’s a competitive market environment that encourages growth and innovation.
Lessons From Other States That Have Legalized Online Casinos
There are plenty of other states that have legalized online casinos already, and these could also inspire California to act. New Jersey was the pioneer in the country, having allowed iGaming since 2013. Michigan and Connecticut both launched in 2021, and have both enjoyed great success from doing so.
New Jersey reported more than $2.39 billion in revenue from online casinos in 2024, which was a 24.1 percent increase from the previous year. Michigan raked in $2.9 billion in the same year and also collected $466.1 million in taxes from the industry. These impressive figures suggest that California could post similar numbers if it decided to follow in the footsteps of these states.
What Seems Most Likely for California?
Given the current landscape in the USA, it’s hard to say what will happen in California. There are the obvious benefits of iGaming that have been seen in other states, but there are numerous people opposed to the legalization of the industry as well.
Currently, California allowed social and sweepstakes casinos, which offer casino games without real-money wagering. This highlights how there’s an interest in the industry in the state, and that real money online casinos could easily take off.
For the legal process to go through in California, there would need to be discussions with tribal gaming operators, along with the drawing of strict regulations. It could happen in the future, but it’s not close yet.
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