Maryland gamblers will likely have to wait until 2027 before visiting an online casino
Maryland, a state with a high potential for online gaming legalization, is unlikely to see its first internet casino (iCasino) until 2027 or later. This was confirmed by Maryland Senator Ron Watson at a recent gaming industry conference, where he reiterated that the next iGaming legalization bill would not be introduced until 2026. Consequently, the earliest possible launch of the first iCasinos would be in 2027, provided they receive approval.
Maryland won't reintroduce online casino gaming legislation until 2026, state Sen. Ron Watson reaffirmed during today's NCLGS conference; he said proponents will wait until 2026 to ramp up support ahead of a required voter referendum that would be needed for that Fall's ballot
— Ryan Butler (@ButlerBets) July 18, 2024
The Maryland constitution mandates that any expansion of gambling must be supported by voters through a referendum amendment on a statewide ballot. Since lawmakers were unable to get a measure on the ballot this fall, the next opportunity will not arise until 2026. Watson indicated that legislators would forego efforts to pass legislation in 2025 and instead concentrate their energies on securing an iGaming ballot measure in 2026.
At the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) conference held on July 18, Watson stated that supporters were bolstering their strategy for the upcoming political battle. An iGaming bill received extensive bipartisan support in the House of Delegates in March, but it stalled in the Senate and was not addressed before the legislative session ended in April.
Unlike regulated sportsbooks, which are operational in Maryland, Washington D.C., and 37 other states, iCasinos have caused a split in the gaming industry. Numerous prominent gaming stakeholders, including the company that owns the Live! Casino Hotel Maryland in Arundel Mills, have opposed iGaming, arguing that it would eat into the revenues of physical gaming establishments.
This opposition has fueled concerns that a decline in in-person attendance could result in job losses at gaming facilities and other nearby businesses, many of which are located in economically disadvantaged areas that rely on casinos as their primary source of income. In Maryland, where unions have a strong presence, this has made online casino gaming a politically unviable option for many politicians, particularly Democrats who hold the majority in both legislative chambers.
As most legislative sessions have concluded for this year, 2024 is likely to end without any new iCasino markets being approved. Currently, only four states – New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Michigan – have fully competitive iCasino markets. Connecticut permits two iCasinos, while Delaware and Rhode Island each allow one.
