Maryland could be the next state to legalize online gaming, including poker, if a state senator is successful. Sen. Ron Watson (D) plans to introduce a bill when the Maryland legislative session begins on January 10.
The move comes as Maryland’s lottery and gaming oversight agency has already been studying the issue in recent months. Watson sees the addition of iGaming as another revenue opportunity for what it has become The state faces major budget concerns.
“This is viewed by many as an additional revenue stream, and is currently expected to generate between $30 million and $40 million,” Watson said. Maryland Matters. “Here in Maryland, we’re already projecting a $400 million deficit. We need additional revenue, and we have a lot of bills to pay in terms of our educational goals.
Details about the plan
Maryland already allows bettors in the state to place sports bets online after launching in November 2022. Companies like FanDuel, Caesars, and DraftKings currently operate in the state.
Watson pushed for iGaming legislation in 2023, but that bill never made it out of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee.
He has already begun circulating the bill among his colleagues, and some of the details include allowing up to 12 operators a $1 million fee for a four-year license. There would be a 46.5% tax on online gambling, and the state’s six casinos could partner with online operators and form interstate compacts to play online poker.
Online poker added to the Multi-State Online Gaming Agreement (fenced) Opportunity to enhance potential cross-player pools as the Old Line State has a population of over 6.1 million.
The addition of online gaming has not been met with approval by some casino operators in the state. Tracy Lingo and Paul Schwab, leaders of the Unite Here union, recently They expressed their opposition To Maryland iGaming To Baltimore Sun.
The group is the country’s largest gaming worker union and has 100,000 casino workers, who appear to be concerned that online gaming could put their jobs at risk.
“In 2008, Maryland voters approved casino gaming legislation to promise good jobs and economic development,” the association noted. “Online gaming will jeopardize economic development opportunities at casinos across the state, reducing future job creation.”
Many legal states continue to report record revenue gains in recent months. The industry will celebrate its 10th anniversary in the United States in 2023.
