Maryland Joins Georgia In Failing to Reach Gambling Expansion Legislation

Georgia State Capitol

With the possibility of online casino legalization on the horizon in Maryland, operators, vendors, and lawmakers were eagerly awaiting a decision. However, as the general assembly adjourned without taking any action on gambling, the hopes for the states online casino expansion in 2024 were dashed.

The failure to legalize online casinos in Maryland is a disappointment to the gambling industry. The state had been considered one of the most promising candidates for expansion, along with Georgia. Unfortunately, both states missed the mark, leaving industry supporters disappointed.

The failure of Maryland’s online casino legislation follows closely on the heels of Georgia’s inability to legalize digital sports betting. In both cases, the potential for expansion seemed promising, but in the end, lawmakers were unable to push the necessary legislation forward.

In Georgia, the debate centered not on whether to support the legislation, but on how to allocate the proceeds. Negotiations dragged on until the final minutes of the session, ultimately resulting in a lack of progress.

Similarly, Maryland legislators had the opportunity to consider online gambling on the final day of the session. However, even if they had chosen to move forward, it would have been without a framework in place. This approach mirrors the state’s handling of sports betting, which was legalized with no specific regulations in place. Lawmakers returned to the issue after voter approval in November 2020 to develop the necessary rules and regulations.

The failure of online casino legislation in Maryland and Georgia highlights a broader trend across the United States. Few opportunities for gambling expansion remain alive in state legislatures, and those that do face significant challenges.

One such example is Minnesota, where hopes for gambling expansion have become more complicated due to the state’s racing commission’s decision to allow historical horse racing. This move has been seen by many as a violation of the state’s promise of gambling exclusivity to its tribes, resulting in new gambling bills expressly banning historical horse racing.

The time and resources spent on addressing issues like historical horse racing can detract from the negotiation of deals that would enable statewide online sports betting. In Minnesota, for example, the House sports betting sponsor and chair of the Commerce Policy and Finance Committee responded to the racing commission’s decision by filing a bill that explicitly prohibits historical horse racing. This bill, along with another filed in the Senate, will be heard in committees on April 9th.

The introduction of bills related to historical horse racing has sparked debate and opposition from track representatives, who argue that such legislation would put their businesses at risk. This ongoing discussion diverts attention and resources away from the broader goal of expanding gambling opportunities in the state.

While the prospects for online casino legislation in Maryland and Georgia may be dim, there are still other states where some form of gambling expansion remains on the table, albeit with varying degrees of likelihood.

Alabama, a state without a lottery, has a comprehensive package of bills that could potentially legalize a variety of gambling activities. These bills include the legalization of a lottery, up to 10 retail casinos, and both physical and digital sports betting. The legislation is currently with a conference committee, tasked with resolving key issues such as tax rates and the gambling exclusivity of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.

In Maine, two bills are under consideration that would give the state’s four tribes control over online casinos while excluding two existing brick-and-mortar establishments. These bills have emerged from committee with “divided reports,” indicating a lack of consensus. The legislative session is scheduled to adjourn on April 17th, leaving limited time for further discussion and decision-making.

In Mississippi, the senate gaming committee recently passed a strike-all version of a sports betting bill in an effort to keep the conversation alive. However, two related bills failed to progress in committee. The legislative session is set to adjourn on May 5th, leaving little time for further action.

In Missouri, several sports betting bills are currently being considered, with at least one advancing to the House’s informal perfection calendar. However, there is still a lack of consensus on key issues, such as the inclusion of legal video lottery machines. In an attempt to bypass legislative hurdles, the state’s professional sports teams are collecting signatures for a sports betting initiative that would appear on the November ballot.

As the legislative sessions in various states draw to a close, the window of opportunity for gambling expansion narrows. The failure of Maryland’s online casino legislation, along with other missed opportunities, highlights the challenges faced by the industry.

While some states still have a chance to pass gambling expansion bills, the path forward is uncertain. The contentious nature of these discussions, coupled with limited time and resources, make it difficult to predict the outcome.