Maryland Senator tables new bill to legalize online casino 

Maryland Senator Ron Watson has tabled SB 0603, which would see online casino legalized in the Old Line State. 

This is the second time that Watson has filed a bill for online casino regulation in Maryland, after he tabled SB 0267 last year, which was ultimately rejected at the time. 

The bill had its first reading in the Senate on Friday, January 26, and has now been referred to the committee. 

The new bill states that igaming would be regulated in the state by the Maryland State Lottery & Gaming Control Commission.

The regulator will be able to offer licenses to those existing video lottery operators as well as granting up to five licenses to operators that fulfill certain criteria. 

A potential licensee must have had an HQ in Maryland for at least 10 years and employ at least 250 people on a full-time or full-time equivalent basis as of December 31, 2023. 

These firms must also have at least a 5% stake in a video lottery operator.

Those who want to apply for licenses will have to pay a $1m fee for a five-year license. The license renewal fee will be the equivalent of 1% of the firm’s average annual revenue over the preceding three years.

Those granted licenses have to spend at least $5m during the initial term of the license to build and operate a live gaming studio or a studio to be used for TV and film production by the Maryland Film Office.

Firms will also be taxed at 47% of gross gaming revenue.

From both the license fee and taxation, 1% will be allocated to the state’s fund for problem gambling. 

The bill’s synopsis also says that alongside legalizing online casino in the state, it opens the door to the Old Line State joining the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement. 

If the Senate greenlights the bill, then a referendum will be held among qualified voters of the state during the election, which is due to take place in November. 

Voters would be asked the following question: “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 the bill receives majority approval from voters, then the law will become effective on the 30th day following the official voting day.