The state still has a long way to go before it could green light online gaming
Six states have already legalized online casino games, a number that is predicted to grow sometime in the very near future. Some states have already rejected new iGaming legislation, although lawmakers in Maryland are still contemplating legalizing the activity.
State Senator Ron Watson is leading the effort. While no official bill has yet been introduced, Watson has asserted that his bill will include legalizing multistate poker.
This isn’t the first new iGaming bill proposed in Maryland. Watson also presented a bill in 2023 that was shut down in committee. However, it was apparent that the public supported that bill, pressuring lawmakers to try to pass new legislation this year.
Although no online casino bills reached the Senate floor in 2023, that chamber requested that the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission conduct a casino industry study. Based on those results, in-person casino gaming could be negatively affected if ever launched in the state.
The research indicated that commercial casinos could see a drop in revenue of up to 10% annually, making some lawmakers uncomfortable. Along with some casinos losing revenue, there are also worries about potential job losses. This will likely be debated in the Senate, but details of the bill must first be worked out.
The new proposal is similar to last year’s, which would increase tax revenue by taxing casinos at a rate of 46.5%.
Maryland would also expect to join the Multi-State iGaming Agreement if the bill is approved, allowing for intrastate poker play. Online poker tournaments are one of iGaming’s most popular activities and are one of the most promising ways for players to cash in on their activity.
