Last updated: September 27, 2023
Following a successful two months of sports betting, Maryland lawmakers are now considering a constitutional amendment that would allow residents to participate in online casino and poker games. This would make Maryland the seventh US state to legalize online gambling, behind New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Michigan, Connecticut, and Delaware.
After a democratic duo introduced Bill 267 to the Senate earlier this month, Maryland could well be the next in line to open its doors to online casino gambling.
According to the legislation, the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission will only be able to provide licenses to video lottery operators to participate in and conduct “certain internet gaming operations in the state.”
Before the bill can be approved, the Commission would need to draft new regulations to oversee all web-based gambling activities, including online poker games in which Maryland would run a multi-state operation with New Jersey, Michigan, and potentially other states where online gambling is already, or is soon to be permitted.
The bill would allow “the Governor, on the recommendation of the Commission, to enter into certain multijurisdictional Internet gaming agreements with certain other governments, subject to certain limitations. “
Under a “referendum of the qualified voters of the state,” online casinos would also need a thumbs up from voters before any amendments to the state constitution could be enforced.
So far, the bill has been discussed by the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, but further talks are needed before the state can begin to draft a proper action plan.
Online sports wagering was launched in Maryland in November last year. In December alone, mobile wagers placed at the state’s seven online sportsbooks peaked at $500 million, putting Maryland in the same ranks as Michigan, Tennessee, and Indiana. Both FanDuel and DraftKings accounted for nearly half the state’s handle, generating just over $236 million in gross gaming revenue.
As for the state’s six land-based casinos, December 2022 saw combined revenues for slots and table games reach just under $165 million, up by 1.1% from November but down by 4.5% compared to December 2021, when revenues hit $172.9 million.
Of the $165 million generated in December 2022, close to $69 million was taxed by the state. $50.99 million of this total was given to the Education Trust Fund, and the rest was put toward supporting the communities and businesses within the jurisdictions where the state’s six casinos are located.
Maryland’s six licensed land-based casinos include Casino & Hotel in Anne Arundel County, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore in Baltimore City, MGM National Harbor in Prince George’s County, Live! Hollywood Casino Perryville in Cecil County, Ocean Downs Casino in Worcester, and Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Allegany County.
Marilyn Chavez is an associate researcher at the Missouri University of Science and Technology, where she studied the mathematical probabilities and aspects of casino games like slot machines. She’s written several case studies which have been published by multiple problem-gaming institutions to help spread awareness about the dangers of online gambling and gambling addiction. She also presented a 2019 Ted talk on the topic of gambling among minors.
