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Maryland’s online casino referendum bills failed to cross over before the legislative deadline and the Governor made no mention of potential new revenue from iGaming in next year’s budget proposal. The combination of those events means that the 2025 online gambling expansion effort is effectively at an end. Proponents of legal online casinos in Maryland will have to wait until 2026 to broach the subject in Annapolis again.
In the meantime, sponsors of the legislation will need to work to sway a legislature that seems indifferent to the issue and overcome several gaming licensees operating in the state that have expressed opposition to the plan. Whether Maryland voters will weigh in on the matter in 2026 is still a risky proposition.
Lack of momentum spells death knell for online casino legislation
Although both HB 17 and SB 340 received hearings in their respective legislative chambers, neither bill saw a vote in those committees. As a result, both bills failed to meet the March 17 crossover deadline for 2025.
A crossover deadline is the date by which a piece of legislation must be approved by the full body it originated in to enable consideration by the other chamber. In Maryland, that means being ed by either the House of Delegates or the Senate for the other body to evaluate any proposal.
In addition, Moore’s proposal to the legislature for the state’s FY26 budget does not include new funds from taxes on the gaming expansion that HB 17 and SB 340 suggested. At minimum, that telegraphs Moore’s belief that no such expansion would be in place during the term.
While the Maryland House and Senate pour over Moore’s proposal, they won’t be debating whether to let the state’s voters decide on iGaming. That likely pleases some existing gaming licensees in Maryland.
Several casino licensees voice concerns about proposals
During the hearings on HB 17 and SB 340, numerous current gaming licensees in Maryland expressed their sentiments on the suggested framework for legal iGaming in the commonwealth and that entire concept. MGM Resorts and Penn Entertainment shared their displeasure at a tenet of HB 17 that would allow entities that don’t operate brick-and-mortar gaming facilities in Maryland to obtain iGaming licenses.
Churchill Downs, which operates Ocean Downs in Berlin; and The Cordish Companies, which operates Maryland Live! in Hanover expressed more adamant opposition to legal online casino play entirely. Their representatives shared concerns about possible lost revenues at their properties.
With some alterations of the proposals, getting licensees like MGM and Penn on board seems possible for bill sponsors. Both companies offer iGaming products in multiple states where it is legal currently.
Overcoming a legislature that seems disinterested and the opposition on principle from other licensees seems a taller task. of the legislature in Annapolis have taken greater interest in another matter related to online casino games.
Online sweepstakes casino game ban still alive for 2025
Maryland Sen. Paul Corderman’s proposed ban on online casino games based on sweepstakes did make the crossover deadline as it was approved by the Maryland Senate unanimously on March 12. The Maryland House of Delegates’ Ways and Means committee held a hearing on the House companion bill but has not taken action on the matter yet.
An effective ban on such online gaming could help clear the way for regulated iGaming in Maryland but at this time, the Maryland legislature is treating the two matters as unrelated. Conversations on that issue will now recede from the legislative chambers to more private venues in Maryland.
