Maryland iGaming Dead for 2024 After Senate Folds on House Measure

Maryland iGaming to end in 2024 as House measure fails in Senate

Maryland’s iGaming bill, which passed the state House of Representatives last month, has died in the House’s upper chamber.

House Bill 1319 was introduced in February by Del. Vanessa Atebery (D-Howard) is introduced. The law seeks to expand gambling in Maryland to include online slot machines and interactive table games.

Atbiri's bill passed on a 92-43 vote, largely along party lines, with Democratic representatives leaning toward supporting the iGaming initiative. The state Senate, also a Democratic stronghold with the party retaining 34 of 47 seats, has decided not to expand gambling this legislative session.

After HB 1319 was filed, Senate leadership referred the bill to the Budget and Taxation Committee. A hearing was held on March 26, but committee members decided not to vote on moving forward with the regulation.

With the 2024 General Assembly legislative session ending on Monday and no further consideration of HB 1319 scheduled, iGaming’s efforts have come to an end.

Avoid iGaming

Atterbeary and other iGaming supporters believe online casino gaming could provide further funding for Maryland’s blueprint.

The “Blueprint for Maryland’s Future,” passed in 2021, aims to “transform public education” to improve schooling, “especially for those who have been historically underserved.”

Tax incentives from Maryland’s six land-based casinos will be donated to the Maryland Education Trust Fund, which supports public education from pre-K through 12th grade, public school and college infrastructure, and capital improvements at community colleges. Sports Betting Tax Support Blueprint.

Senate leaders told Atbiri and other House members who support iGaming that the issue is "a done deal" in the upper chamber. Senators announced similar online gambling legislation introduced by Sen. Ron Watson (D-Prince George) earlier this year, saying 2024 is not the year for increased gambling.

Atbiri’s bill would allow the state’s casinos to partner with up to three iGaming platforms. Four off-track betting and two bingo locations in Maryland will be eligible for the single skin.

Media group Urban One will be awarded the iGaming license and five other media groups will register to participate in the tender process. Each license costs $1 million and sales will be taxed at a rate of 55 percent.

Marylanders have the final say on HB 1319, as the legislation includes a referendum to amend the state constitution to allow online casino gambling. Because this is a legislatively initiated ballot initiative, the bill requires approval by three-fifths of both chambers.

Public Resistance

In conjunction with the state Senate, a Poll commissioned in February found that a majority of Maryland's population opposes online casino gaming.

The study concluded that, as of this writing, 64% of Marylanders don’t want iGaming. It's worth noting that while the survey was conducted by an independent pollster based in Raleigh, it was commissioned by the Maryland Retailers Alliance, which is vehemently opposed to iGaming.

The state’s casinos also oppose expanding casino gambling to the Internet. The six casinos generated $1.98 billion in gross gaming revenue (GGR) last year, down 3.3% from 2022.

MGM National Harbor, the state's market leader and one of the country's most profitable casinos outside of Las Vegas, saw its GGR drop nearly 6% to $834.1 million.