The first few weeks of the second Donald Trump administration have been eventful, to say the least. Barely a day goes by when the President isn’t signing a new executive order that causes debate around the world.
Among the many areas of business waiting for Trump’s next move is the casino industry. It has been felt that the President, who has a long background in casino ownership, would introduce changes to boost the sector.
Slow Progress
While other areas of gambling have experienced considerable growth since 2018, the United States casino industry has been slow to follow. As of March 2025, only six US states have legalized digital casino play, and these are Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. While it’s possible to find the best online casino USA from that small list, it’s clear there is room for growth. The big question is whether Donald Trump will introduce measures that will boost the US online casino sector.
Those inside the industry who want to see growth remain hopeful, and the focus of that hope centers around the President’s history with the sector.
Committed to Casinos
Donald Trump first became involved with casinos in 1982. This was the year that the New Jersey Commission granted him a license to operate a gaming hall in Atlantic City. The subsequent property was named the Trump Plaza Casino and Hotel, and three years later, he purchased another casino from the Hilton Hotel chain.
His gaming empire continued to grow, but his ventures weren’t always successful. Donald Trump hasn’t owned a casino for some time, but that long association with real money gaming suggests that he might look favorably on future legislation.
Early Moves
In the early days of his second term, Donald Trump has focused on business as a whole, without specifically addressing the casino industry. As expected, the new President has promised to introduce a series of tax cuts, which are intended to stimulate growth across several industries.
These measures will aid the six states where online casino play is already legalized. Greater revenue could be generated, and the cuts should encourage more operators to open up, giving players in those states a wider choice. It’s a promising start, but in order for the sector to develop, more state governments need to open their digital doors to online casinos.
The Key States
Much of the early discussion about the future of US online casinos focuses on two of the biggest states in the Union. Arkansas and Texas have, up until now, resisted the calls to legalize gambling in their regions, but changes in administration may force a different outlook.
The Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, has previously stated that he would consider passing a bill on gambling, and if he ends up inside the Trump administration, the state could move quickly to legalize online casinos.
It’s felt that if Texas and Arkansas allow casino play, other regions will follow, but there are more key states to consider. It may seem surprising that Nevada, with its multitude of physical casino halls, has yet to allow digital play. Elsewhere, California and Minnesota are also being closely watched. It may be a case of one state passing legislation before many others follow.
Early signs from Donald Trump’s second term indicate a focus on generating revenue and cutting unnecessary costs. If the president needs a model to suggest the potential for online casinos, he only needs to look at global income figures.
This is a billion dollar industry, and the potential is enormous. Since day one, President Trump has been concerned with several key global issues, and there is a focus on war with Ukraine, along with tariffs on overseas imports.
The casino sector has yet to see any real movement, but that is likely to change moving forward. Donald Trump is a supporter of a free market economy, and he understands the potential for online casino revenue. As his attention turns to the sector, it seems likely that more states will open up to digital casino play.
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