Online Casino Bill Filed In MarylandLegislation Would Allow Online Poker Player Pooling |
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Maryland could join the growing list of states with online casino regulation. A bill for online casinos, Senate Bill 267, was introduced in January by a pair of Democrats.
The legislation would allow “the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission to issue certain licenses to certain video lottery operators in the state to conduct or participate in certain Internet gaming operations in the state.”
The bill would also require “the Commission to regulate Internet gaming and the conduct of Internet gaming in the state.”
Additionally, Maryland could allow multi-state online poker with other online poker states, such as Michigan and New Jersey.
The bill would permit "the Governor, on the recommendation of the Commission, to enter into certain multijurisdictional Internet gaming agreements with certain other governments, subject to certain limitations. "
The bill would require voters to alter the state constitution to allow for online casinos under a “referendum of the qualified voters of the state.”
The bill had its first reading in the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee.
Maryland already has online sports betting. The state saw nearly $500 million in sports betting handle in December. The online betting sites launched in November.
The goal is to expand gambling in the state further. Maryland’s six casinos combined to generate $165,175,099 in revenue from slot machines and table games during December 2022, the most recent reporting month.
The total represented a decrease of $7,726,403 (-4.5%) compared to December 2021. Casino gaming contributions to the state in December 2022 totaled $69,686,506, a decrease of $1,411,802 (-2.0%) compared to December 2021.
Maryland’s six privately owned casinos offer slot machines and table games: MGM National Harbor in Prince George’s County, Live! Casino & Hotel in Anne Arundel County, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore in Baltimore City, Ocean Downs Casino in Worcester, Hollywood Casino Perryville in Cecil County, and Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Allegany County.
Other states considering forms of online casino gambling authorization in 2023 include Indiana and New York.
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