Maryland bill plots statewide referendum on igaming legalization
Filed legislation would see potential constitutional amendment just two months after Free State sports betting debut
Maryland could be set to follow up its November sports betting debut with a legalization of igaming after a new bill authorizing the vertical was filed in the Free State’s senate.
Senate bill 267, authored by Senators Ron Watson and Nancy King, is known as the “Internet Gaming Authorization and Implementation Act” and would give the Maryland Gaming Control Commission powers to authorize igaming in the state.
It would see land-based casino operators in the state given the opportunity to apply for igaming permits, with a license fee of $500,000 for a five-year license to operate, and allow the state to enter into multi-jurisdictional agreements with other states.
License renewal fees would be equal to 1% of the licensee’s average annual proceeds over the preceding three-year period, subject to a minimum payment of $5,000.
Potential casinos which could apply for licenses include: MGM National Harbor, Live! Casino & Hotel, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, Rocky Gap Casino Resort, Ocean Downs Casino, and Hollywood Casino Perryville.
Igaming operators would be taxed at a rate of 15% of their annual gross gaming revenue (GGR), with taxation revenues paid to Maryland’s Education Trust Fund, which works to advance educational causes in the state.
The drive towards igaming comes just two months after the launch of sports betting in Maryland, which has enjoyed a successful debut, with online sportsbooks collecting $186.1m in handle in its opening month.
However, legalization of the vertical faces an uncertain future, with the legislation required to obtain support from two-thirds of both chambers of the Maryland General Assembly before it can be passed.
Even if this support is obtained, the legislation must then be passed to a statewide referendum, as provided for under the Maryland state constitution.
The question to be put to voters is: “Do you favor the expansion of commercial gaming in the State of Maryland to authorize internet gaming for the primary purpose of raising revenue for education?”
If passed, the statewide vote would take place on November 28, 2024.