NCLGS to Discuss Online Casino Legislation

PITTSBURGH — This week, the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) conference will spotlight the burgeoning topic of online casino legislation. Over three dedicated panels, legislators, regulators, and industry experts will discuss, but not finalize, a model legislation framework for iGaming.

The conference, held in Pittsburgh, aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the key issues surrounding online casinos, including potential cannibalization, tax rates, and optimal licensing structures. “Our goal is to outline the major issues we're addressing in the model legislation,” said NCLGS President Shawn Fluharty, a West Virginia delegate. “We plan to finalize the legislation before legislative sessions begin in the fall and winter.”

The iGaming Model Legislation Committee, formed at the last NCLGS meeting in January in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has been working diligently to create a structural framework for the legislation. The committee has conducted several virtual meetings, incorporating feedback from industry experts, regulators from states with legal iGaming, and international input from the UK.

Rhode Island's legalization of online casinos in 2023 marked the seventh state to do so, joining Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Michigan, and Connecticut. However, no new states passed online casino legislation in 2024. Fluharty highlighted the importance of this collaborative effort, stating, “Legislators and regulators need to work together to understand what has been successful in other states. This conference is the perfect platform for that collaboration.”

Path Forward

While the final report from the iGaming Model Legislation Committee will not be released at the conference, the suggestions and feedback gathered will be used to draft a model legislation. This draft will be available for a 30-day public comment period in the coming months. “Our aim is to provide a framework that our members can use to bring back to their districts, offering a clear model for future iGaming legislation,” Fluharty explained:

In some states, passing iGaming legislation has been challenging. This blueprint could be the catalyst needed to move forward.

The NCLGS conference, spanning four days starting Wednesday, will cover a range of topics beyond online casinos. Sessions will include discussions on responsible gaming, Pennsylvania’s gaming success, skill games, NCAA player protections in sports wagering, sports bettor protections, and Indian gaming. The online casino model legislation panels are scheduled for Thursday.

The conference will see attendance from over 40 legislators representing 18 states and Puerto Rico. Spectrum Gaming Group serves as the executive director of NCLGS, an organization that has been facilitating these meetings since 1995.