April brought a wave of industry momentum, with significant strides in online poker, jackpot expansion, and sportsbook loyalty features. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing: states like New York are weighing strict betting limits, and Hawaii could soon open its doors to legal gambling for the first time. Here’s what mattered most in the U.S. gambling and sweepstakes landscape this month.

TLDR: a Bite-sized Overview:

  1. Hawaii Approves Online Sports Betting Bill: Hawaii’s Senate passed a bill to legalize online sports betting and fantasy sports, marking its first step toward regulated gambling.
  2. FanDuel Casino Jackpots Expands: FanDuel launched its progressive jackpot feature in Pennsylvania, linking to four jackpots across three states.
  3. Fanatics Boosts Loyalty During NBA Playoffs: Fanatics Sportsbook expanded FanCash Drops and extended Fair Play refunds through the first half of NBA Playoff games.
  4. Online Poker Pools Goes Interstate: BetMGM and Caesars’ WSOP Online added Pennsylvania to their shared player pools, unlocking record prize pools across up to four states.
  5. NY Bill Seeks $5K Daily Cap: A new bill in New York proposes strict sports betting limits, including a $5,000 daily cap and sweeping ad restrictions.

Hawaii Senate Approves Online Sports Betting Bill in Landmark Vote

In a significant policy shift, Hawaii’s Senate passed House Bill 1308, a bill to legalize online sports betting and fantasy sports, marking the state’s first move toward regulated gambling. The bill passed by a 15-10 vote and now returns to the House for final concurrence before heading to Governor Josh Green for potential approval.

The measure allows at least four sportsbook licenses, reinstates a 10% tax on operator revenue, and sets a $250,000 licensing fee. Regulatory authority was moved from the Department of Consumer Protection to the Department of Law Enforcement, raising concerns about implementation readiness before the proposed July 1, 2025 launch date. Despite opposition from several agencies and lawmakers, supporters emphasized the urgent need for new revenue sources amid fiscal strain. If enacted, Hawaii would join 38 other states in legalizing sports betting since the 2018 PASPA repeal.

FanDuel Expands Progressive Jackpot Feature to Third State

FanDuel Casino Jackpots, the operator’s new progressive jackpot system, officially launched in Pennsylvania in April. This marks the third state, following New Jersey and Michigan, where the feature is now available. The product adds four linked jackpots: “Mini,” “Minor,” “Major,” and “Mega” to eligible games, with players opting in by contributing an extra $0.10 per wager for a chance to win.

The system is powered by BeyondPlay, a player engagement firm that FanDuel acquired in February 2024. Since launching earlier this year, FanDuel Casino Jackpots has already produced over 50,000 winners, with over 1,500 players hitting jackpots daily. FanDuel said the feature enhances the player experience by offering more opportunities to win with every eligible wager.

Fanatics Sportsbook Grows FanCash and Fair Play Programs During NBA Playoffs

Fanatics Sportsbook expanded its FanCash and Fair Play programs to boost engagement during the NBA Playoffs in April. The operator introduced FanCash Drop, a new game offering users a chance to win up to $10,000 in FanCash, which can be redeemed on Fanatics.com and the Fanatics app. Over $750,000 in FanCash was awarded during the program’s first week. The drop will be available every Friday, with prize amounts varying by customer.

The sportsbook also broadened its Fair Play protections, which refund player prop bets if a player leaves early due to injury. Coverage has been extended from the first quarter to the entire first half for all NBA Playoff games. Fair Play applies to straight bets, parlays, and Same Game Parlays. Since football season began, Fanatics has paid more than $6 million to users under this policy. A new Fair Play Hub within the app will let players track injuries and payouts in real-time.

Online Poker Booms as BetMGM and Caesars Expand Shared Player Pools

April saw a major leap forward for online poker in the US as BetMGM Poker and WSOP Online integrated Pennsylvania into their multi-state player networks. BetMGM added the Keystone State to its existing New Jersey and Michigan pool, creating the largest liquidity pool in BetMGM Poker history. The expansion kicked off with a $35,000 guaranteed freeroll on April 28 and will be followed by the $1 million GTD May Millions series. BetMGM Poker Championship qualifiers continue through June, with players from all states vying for prize packages to the Las Vegas final.

Meanwhile, Caesars Entertainment’s WSOP Online became the first U.S. platform to connect players across four states: Nevada, New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. The move came just ahead of the 2025 WSOP Online Bracelet series, which features 30 events, a $5.5 million Mystery Bounty pool, and ten hybrid events starting online and concluding live in Vegas. With both brands fully leveraging multi-state liquidity, U.S. online poker players can look forward to larger prize pools, more tournament action, and unprecedented national competition.

New York Bill Proposes Daily $5,000 Wagering Cap and Broad Sports Betting Restrictions

A new bill introduced in the New York Assembly could drastically tighten the state’s mobile sports betting regulations. Assemblymember Robert Carroll filed Bill A07692, which proposes a $5,000 daily wagering cap, a ban on credit card deposits, a five-deposit-per-day limit, and sweeping restrictions on sports betting advertising. Operators would also be required to warn users after $2,500 in deposits and limit users to one account per brand.

The bill aims to introduce stronger consumer protections but has raised concerns among operators and industry groups. Critics argue it could push high-stakes bettors to states like New Jersey or offshore platforms. The proposed ad restrictions would also prohibit terms like “bonus” and “no sweat,” limit broadcast times, and ban targeting of minors. While the bill faces an uncertain path, it reflects a broader national conversation about betting limits and responsible gambling rules.