Industry Confident President Trump Will Back Online Casino Legalization

Industry experts in favor of the legalization of online casinos have been encouraged by President Donald Trump’s visit to Las Vegas less than a week after his second inauguration.

Trump toured the casino floor at the Circa Resort & Casino in America’s entertainment capital and shook hands with gamblers during his visit. 

Gaming industry leaders are pressing for the elimination of the federal sports betting excise tax, and a raise in the slot tax threshold. Derek Stevens, co-owner and CEO of the Circa facility, who hosted the President, vowed before Trump’s visit to raise those key issues. 

The response from the American Gaming Association was positive. Bill Miller, president and CEO of the AGA, said it was exciting for the industry that Trump had made such a trip so early in his second term. 

Miller said: “Today’s event is a testament to the President’s commitment to making sure that the tax code not only encourages job creation, but also ensures workers keep more of their hard-earned money.

“President Trump’s tremendous support for the gaming industry during his first term was unprecedented – for the first time in history our industry was able to obtain federal economic relief in the wake of the COVID-19 shutdowns. 

“We look forward to further engagement with President Trump throughout this year on critical tax policy and other important industry priorities.”

One of those priorities is, Esports Insider understands, likely to be encouraging various states to legalize online casino gambling. Only seven states currently permit the activity, compared to nearly 40 where online sports betting is legal. 

Several states, including New York, Indiana, and Wyoming, could see renewed efforts in 2025 to put online casinos on the statute book. There is a push for legalization across the US, with Indiana one of the latest states to look to widen the iGaming offering.

While legalization will always be a state issue, the perceived support of the White House – and a President who used to own and operate several casino hotels – would surely assist the cause, particularly in red states. 

That is certainly the hope of campaigners who believe the time has come for a more widespread legal acceptance of online casinos. They take heart from the presence in the seat of power of a man clearly sympathetic to their industry, and the issues it faces.