Maryland Legislature to debate online gambling legalisation

The Maryland General Assembly could be getting ready to start the discussion on legalised online casinos, with a bill filed last year now appearing on the calendar.  

House Bill 17 seeks to legalise and regulate online gambling in the state. If passed, it would authorise the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission to license and oversee online gambling operations.

Introduced by Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary, the bill is set to be heard by the House Ways and Means Committee tomorrow (8 January), potentially making it the first gambling-related legislation debated in the US in 2025.

The bill outlines a regulatory framework for granting licences to qualified applicants, ensuring compliance with state and federal laws, and promoting equitable opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses in the iGaming sector.

This is not the first attempt to bring online gambling to Maryland. In the 2024 legislative session, Atterbeary introduced similar legislation, while Senator Ron Watson sponsored a companion bill in the Senate.

Watson’s bill received a hearing in the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee but failed to advance further. The renewed effort for 2025 reflects growing interest in expanding Maryland’s gambling options to include digital platforms.

However, the proposal faces considerable opposition, particularly from the state’s brick-and-mortar casino operators.

Several casinos, including Maryland Live!, have expressed strong concerns that legalising online gambling could cannibalise revenue from traditional, land-based gaming facilities.

These operators argue that shifting gambling activities online might detract from the in-person experiences that support jobs and local economies.

Proponents argue that legalising online gambling could bolster state revenue streams without requiring tax hikes or additional public spending.

By offering a regulated alternative to the unlicensed and untaxed online gaming platforms currently available, Maryland could retain economic activity that might otherwise flow to neighbouring states with legalised online gambling.

Working out the details

House Bill 17 seeks to create a modernised gambling landscape in the state. The legislation would enable online gaming through various platforms, including mobile apps and web-based services.

Applicants for an iGaming licence must demonstrate their financial stability, technical capabilities, and commitment to responsible gaming practices.

In addition, the bill authorises the potential for Maryland to eventually join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), which allows for player pooling among member states in online poker tournaments.

Delaware, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia are already members.

House Bill 17 also aims to generate significant revenue for the state. Funds collected from online gambling would be allocated to education, workforce development, and problem gambling initiatives, as outlined in the proposed legislation.

According to the text, proceeds would contribute to the “Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund,” a critical resource for advancing public education reforms.

Despite its potential benefits, the path forward for HB 17 is far from certain. Lawmakers will have to weigh the economic opportunities presented by online gambling against concerns about its societal and financial impacts.

Critics have raised alarms about the possibility of increased gambling addiction and the strain it could place on state resources.

Additionally, the opposition from land-based casinos presents a formidable hurdle. The concerns of these stakeholders underscore the tension between traditional and digital gambling platforms, a challenge seen in other states that have ventured into online gaming.

Share