Over in the Old Line State, online casino gaming will once again be on the ballot for voters to check out in this calendar year. Per a recent report, legislation to authorize online casino gambling in Maryland was filed earlier this month by the same House lawmaker who last year unsuccessfully fought for internet casinos and table games. House Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary (D-Howard) pre-filed House Bill 17 ahead of the Maryland General Assembly convening for its 2025 session on Wednesday, January 8th. More specifically, HB 17 seeks to legalize online casino gambling, with skins available to the six commercial operators that currently run brick-and-mortar casinos in the state. Atterbeary’s legislation also proposes qualifying sportsbook licensees for online gaming privileges. The Maryland State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission, which would govern the expanded gambling, would also be allowed to grant five iGaming licenses through two competitive bidding rounds.
For this report, SBS will be going over the latest gaming notes and news coming from the state of Maryland along with some additional thoughts and notes only at SBS.
Noted in the same article, Atterbeary’s measure says “an appropriate tax sufficient to provide an amount of revenue for elementary and secondary public education purposes” would be determined at a later time. Last year, Atterbeary suggested an effective tax of 55% on iGaming gross gaming revenue – money that would mostly go to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. Additionally, the report says, each iGaming license would cost $1 million for a five-year duration. HB 17 includes responsible gaming mandates, including that all iGaming platforms provide responsible gaming messaging and clearly display resources for those seeking help. Noted in other reports, Atterbeary’s 2024 iGaming bill passed the House in March but stalled in the Senate.
Moreover, the article also points out some other updates regarding HB 17 as it relates to social equity. Specifically, Atterbeary’s online casino bill takes a page out of Maryland’s liberation of sports betting in seeking to provide racial and social equity through the new industry. Maryland’s 2021 sports betting law instructed the seven-member Sports Wagering Application Review Commission “to seek racial, ethnic, and gender diversity” through its awarding of online and in-person sports gambling licenses. Though the sportsbook law led to a lengthy delay in getting mobile sports betting operational, a so-called “disparity analysis” by an independent third party took considerably longer than expected. Per the same article, Atterbeary thinks iGaming should be rolled out similarly. HB 17 would encourage the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission to favor iGaming bids that qualify as a “social equity applicant.” Such a class would need to meet two of four qualifying criteria.
Also covered in the same article, the qualifiers include companies controlled by a person(s) living in an economically disadvantaged area for at least five of the 10 years immediately preceding the application submission. This clause also includes “or having attended a public school in an economically disadvantaged area for at least five years.” Additionally, applicants can also gain social equity status by having attended a four-year institution of higher education in Maryland where at least 40% of the students are eligible for a federal Pell Grant. This also includes any person whose net worth does not exceed “an amount to be determined by the Commission to encourage, equity, and inclusion in the internet gaming industry.”
Moreover, legal iGaming remains confined to seven states – Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia. Noted in the same article, with sports betting facing much criticism for its quick rollout, with calls in Congress for federal intervention for the public’s good, there is definitely pushback in the state. Also, gaming analysts are not convinced the odds are good any state will join the seven in bringing internet casinos online this year. Also, Cordish, which operates Maryland Live!, has opposed iGaming.
Noted above, Maryland voters would have the final say if Atterbeary’s measure finds favor in both chambers. Such gambling expansion would require an amendment to the Maryland Constitution through a statewide ballot referendum. Of course, there have been developments across the country where states have created new laws that approve of online gaming. However, there are various states like California and Texas that have not made total online gaming legal overall in these areas. However, noted in this space and other forums, there is definitely a push and consensus that it is only a matter of time before widespread legalization.
Once you are all up to speed in relation to the latest gaming news and notes coming from the Old Line State, make sure to check out the awesome array of info available to you at SBS. Of course, for even more analysis on the topic covered here, make sure to peruse the Maryland sports betting sites guide which goes over a variety of fantastic topics from the state and more. Moreover, for those looking to diversify their payment options, look no further than the payment methods rundown which covers a lot of great info. Of note, this includes options from crypto to more traditional banking routes and beyond. Finally, if you are someone who is looking for higher-stakes gaming options and are eligible, make sure to check out the VIP sports betting sites breakdown which goes over all the perks of VIP wagering.
About the Author
As a devout aficionado of sports, Chris Boline has carved a career within the athletic realm. A skilled scribe, he boasts a decade-long portfolio that encompasses coverage of the NBA G League, the Los Angeles Chargers, football and basketball across the country. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris is deeply invested in his community and dedicates his leisure hours to serving on boards, collaborating with community organizations, and cherishing the company of loved ones. CURRENTLY Business Development and freelance sports writing RESIDES IN Reno, NV EDUCATION University of Nevada BS and MBA EXPERTISE -Sports writing proficiency in: NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and some motor sports -Topical news -Promotional and marketing ideas/updates -Business development Summary Chris Boline serves in a business development sales capacity as his day job. He has previously held sales/marketing positions with The Applied Companies (TAC), KTVN 2 News and the NBA G League’s Reno Bighorns, affiliate of the Sacramento Kings. He is a Reno native and is a member of various community boards including the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET and the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA). Chris graduated from the University of Nevada in 2015 with a bachelors in management and economics and also earned his MBA from Nevada in 2023. More about Chris: Past president of the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA) 2022-23 Two-time honoree for University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year (Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, 2017 & COBAA, 2021) 2021 NCET award for Professional Services Organization of the Year with TAC Northern Nevada Human Resources Association 2020 Best Places to Work-Northern Nevada, Second Place with TAC 2016-17 Reno Bighorns MVP from the Sacramento Kings The Nevada Sagebrush editor-in-chief 2013-15 Associated Collegiate Press 2015 Four-year Non-daily Newspaper Pacemaker honoree University of Nevada, Reno College of Business Dean's List honoree (5x) from 2011-2015 Nevada Press Association award for Best Sports Column – Community in 2015 Education
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