The 2024 legislative session in Maryland ended on April 8th, and a bill to legalize iGaming hasn’t been passed by lawmakers. The only way for iGaming to stay afloat is to pass through a referendum on November’s ballot, but that is unlikely to happen.
The background of the bill
Regulated online sports betting is live in Maryland, and the state also has a land-based casino industry. Maryland Democratic state delegate, Vanessa Atterbeary, was hopeful that the bill she sponsored would be passed by lawmakers in the legislative session.
HB 1319 would give up to 30 licenses for operating online casinos in Maryland. The land-based casino operators in the state could apply for them and they would be valid for five years. Video lottery and racetrack terminal operators could also apply for licenses.
The bill proposed setting tax rates of at least 55% for online casino games except live dealer games, which would be taxed at a rate of 20%.
Opposition to the bill
The bill made it easily through the House with a vote of 93 to 34 before proceeding to the Senate. At the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, the question-and-answer period only lasted 18 minutes, and the bill didn’t go any further.
Those opposed to gambling in Maryland fear that online casinos would cannibalize the profits of land-based casinos and cause job losses. When looking at the psychology behind betting, the thrill of the possibility of winning is what drives most bettors and in some cases, this can result in gambling problems. Concerns about problem gambling could be another reason why the Senate was reluctant to move forward. Senate President, Bill Ferguson, made his disapproval of online gaming obvious.
Stalling of online casinos
Maryland was previously considered one of the U.S. states most likely to legalize online casinos this year. There are many things to do in Maryland, but playing online casino games won’t be one of them. Visitors to Maryland can pay a visit to a land-based casino or do some online sports gambling instead.
A bill to legalize iGaming in New York isn’t likely to make it into law this year. An online sporting bill in Georgia failed to pass the House of Reps. An attempt to legalize sports betting in Minnesota was also frustrated.
Delegate Atterbeary wanted to use the new revenue stream from online casinos to support an educational fund.
She pointed out that illegal online casino gambling is already happening, but without safeguards the state could implement or the tax benefits it could reap. Hopefully, there’s still a chance of an online betting bill being passed in the future.
