The revised bill could see as many as 25 online casino operators approved in the state
A Maryland House subcommittee’s effort to make online casino licensing is bringing a lot of changes. Some may be good, while others are likely to bog the bill down in partisan debate.
Maryland Representative Vanessa Atterbeary, chair of the Ways and Means Committee, sponsored HB1319. She amended the ongoing online casino legislation on Tuesday in the House Racing and Gaming Subcommittee.
The new version would increase the number of online casino licenses from 12 to 25 and adds requirements to make licensees more diverse, inclusive and equitable. It also prohibits customers from funding online casino accounts in Maryland using credit cards and adds language to mitigate problem gambling.
The amendment also creates three categories of licenses: Casino, Class B and Competitive Bid. The first allows casinos up to three skins if they meet the social equity requirements. Four off-track betting parlors and two bingo halls would also be eligible for sports betting licenses and online casino licenses, and any of the 18 licenses not used would go up for competitive bid.
Atterbeary’s amendment prohibits funding online casino accounts with credit cards, something Senator Ron Watson says wasn’t included in his Senate bill after the Maryland State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency advised him it could create problems. Sports bettors in the state can fund accounts with credit cards, and prohibiting credit cards at online casinos keeps companies offering both products from sharing player accounts.
Maryland online casino legislation has faced staunch opposition in the past from the state’s six retail casinos and local labor unions.
If passed, the choice to legalize online casinos would be put before Maryland voters in November’s general election. If Maryland online casino legislation isn’t passed and approved by residents, proponents may have to wait a while longer for the market to launch.
Maryland also has a complicated licensing structure in place for online sports betting that helps increase diversity, equity and inclusion.
