From the Desk of…Howard Glaser, Global Head of Government Affairs and Legislative Counsel, Light & Wonder

“From the Desk Of…” is a series from the G2E Insider written by G2E community members to share their knowledge with the wider gaming industry. Howard Glaser, Global Head of Government Affairs and Legislative Counsel for Light & Wonder, writes about what’s next in the world of iGaming, including what’s happening legislatively and how he sees legal, regulated iGaming growing across the U.S. and the world.

iGaming in the U.S. is the most successful launch of a casino product in history. An industry that did not exist just a few years ago produced $6 billion in gross gaming revenue last year, all from just six states. Compare that to sports betting, which produced about 35% more revenue, but did so across 38 states. The runaway success of online casino gaming raises an obvious question: why haven’t more states adopted iGaming? That’s a topic we will surely discuss in depth at G2E in October, but the short answer is that the industry has more work to do in educating lawmakers.

The argument is compelling given the fact illegal iGaming is already prevalent in the U.S., to the tune of $338 billion wagered according to the American Gaming Association. States would benefit by creating a regulated market, capturing tax revenue, and establishing robust customer protections and responsible gaming standards. Yet the industry needs to do more to rebut concerns about the impact on land-based gaming and promote the job growth and positive economic impact associated with live dealer studios.

Though prospects for iGaming in the U.S. in 2024 are murky, the long-term outlook leaves little doubt that online casinos will see broad adoption as states recognize the iGaming revenue opportunity. Legislation is pending in multiple states, including New Hampshire, Iowa, Illinois, Maine, Indiana, New York, and Maryland, and typically casino sector expansion is a multi-year effort.  

Internationally, Latin America shows promise, particularly with Brazil's recent legalization of iGaming expected to go live in the first half of this year. Future markets include Chile and Uruguay, where iGaming legislation is pending.

As Mark Twain said, “prediction is difficult, particularly when it involves the future.” What’s certain is this: turning on the digital channel is essential for the casino industry to compete and thrive in a world filled with online entertainment options. With the huge financial benefits states have realized from the casino industry, it remains inevitable that they will seek to protect that economic engine – as long as the industry continues to make the case with data and common sense.