Maryland Lawmaker Confirms 2024 iGaming Effort Won’t Advance

Article by : Erik Gibbs Apr 8, 2024

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Senator Ron Watson announced that efforts to legalize online casinos in Maryland will not progress in 2024. Despite ongoing discussions, Maryland legislators reached a budget agreement on Wednesday without including online casino revenue as a funding source.

With the state’s legislative session set to conclude on Monday, it’s clear that neither online gaming nor the referendum will advance during this session.

Senator Watson, who sponsored one of the two bills aimed at legalizing mobile casino apps in Maryland, revealed that his bill, Senate Bill 603, failed to gain traction in the Senate.

Meanwhile, House Bill 1319, introduced by Del. Vanessa Atterbeary, successfully passed through the House but encountered obstacles in the Senate, ultimately stalling its progress.

Earlier in the session, Watson expressed optimism that lawmakers might still proceed with a referendum, even if they couldn’t reach consensus on the specifics of a bill.

The idea was to present voters with the opportunity to decide on online casino legalization in November, allowing legislators to address implementation details in 2025. However, Watson confirmed that this plan will not come to fruition.

The conversation surrounding online casino legalization is anticipated to resurface in 2025, though a referendum may not be presented to Maryland voters until 2026.

It’s plausible that discussions will intensify by 2026, aiming to advance legislation in preparation for a November 2026 referendum. Considering the setback in passing legislation this year, the earliest possibility for the launch of mobile casino apps in Maryland seems to be in 2027.

In Maryland, legal sports betting is permitted, alongside brick-and-mortar casino gaming, providing a robust gambling landscape.

However, the journey toward online casino legislation in forthcoming sessions demands attention to assuaging worries regarding the escalation of problem gambling and apprehensions surrounding the potential cannibalization of brick-and-mortar casinos by their digital counterparts.

Balancing these concerns will be pivotal for stakeholders in the online casino sphere. Should it come to be, Maryland stands poised to emerge as one of the most formidable iGaming hubs across the nation.

The proposed legislation outlines the potential issuance of up to 30 licenses, offering a vast expanse for market growth.

Among these licenses, each of the state’s six existing casinos would be granted one, with avenues available for securing up to two additional licenses per establishment.