The US gambling industry remains in a state of flux, with many states still to sign off on legislation to allow online casinos to operate in their jurisdiction.
However, with the likes of New Jersey and Pennsylvania enjoying great success in this area, many other states are working hard to jump on the bandwagon.
Read on as we take a look at how things have been developing in Connecticut, Louisiana and Texas over the past few weeks.
Connecticut set to join the party
Governor Ned Lamont signed House Bill 6451 into law at the end of May, making Connecticut the sixth state to legalise online casinos.
His signature was seen as a formality after the state senate passed the bill with an overwhelming 122-21 vote in favour.
The move to allow online casinos to operate in Connecticut has been ten years in the making, with former Governor Dannel P Malloy kick-starting the process in 2011.
It is estimated that the new bill will generate around $30 million in taxes during the next fiscal year, with experts predicting this could rise to $83m annually by 2026.
Only the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes will initially be allowed to offer online casino and poker games, but this may change in the future.
LA operator eyeing bumper Louisiana investment
Peninsula Pacific Entertainment (P2E) has been eager to relocate its Louisiana casino license from Bossier City to Slidell, but there are still some hurdles to overcome.
The Louisiana Senate Judiciary Committee recently backed legislation to allow residents in St Tammany Parish to vote on whether want to allow commercial gambling.
If the outcome is positive, P2E plans to build a $250 million casino resort at the Lakeshore Marina, close to the Blind Tiger restaurant.
Senator Gary Smith supports the plans, while his wife Katherine has been lobbying heavily on behalf of P2E since they made their intentions known.
Smith has argued that Louisiana has been losing significant tax revenues as players flock to Mississippi to play their favourite casino games.
Texas still facing legislative challenges
Las Vegas Sands Corporation (LVS) have ploughed millions of dollars into promoting the introduction of gambling legislation in Texas, but they have little to show for their investment.
The company poured money into a massive advertising campaign and paid for more than 50 lobbyists to argue the case.
However, the proposals have floundered at the legislative committee stage, leaving LVS to ponder what might have been in Texas.
Despite the failure on this occasion, industry experts have predicted that gambling will be back on the agenda for the next regular legislative session in 2023.
Having laid the foundations this time around, it would be no surprise to see LVS or other interested parties make a much stronger case in Texas two years from now.
