Maryland is considering legalising online casino games

An extensive survey conducted by MDBetting.com has revealed overwhelming support among Marylanders for the legalization of online casino games. Nearly 76% of 1,000 registered voters expressed their desire for the green light on online gaming. The survey, carried out by Pollfish, highlighted that support spans across all age groups, with the strongest backing coming from the 35-44 age bracket, where 85% of respondents favor legalization. Even the 18-24 age group, while slightly less supportive at 63%, still leans towards approval.

Moreover, the survey indicated that 83% of men and 69% of women in Maryland are in favor of online gaming, suggesting a broad consensus among the population.

If Maryland wishes to see the legalization of online casino gaming on the 2024 ballot, Senate Bill 267 must advance out of the Budget and Taxation Committee and gain approval from both chambers of the state legislature. If the majority of voters support the measure, legal online casino gaming could launch by June 2025.

MDBetting emphasized that a portion of the revenue from traditional casinos currently contributes to the Education Trust Fund and small minority-owned businesses in the state. The approval of iGaming is expected to further boost support for these initiatives.

Senator Ron Watson, a key sponsor of SB 267, believes that Maryland is lacking a crucial component in its gambling industry, which is iGaming. He stated that the fundamental aspect of the bill is to create a new funding stream for education, expressing concerns about the need to support Maryland’s Blueprint for the Future.

Should Maryland successfully pass SB 267, it would become the seventh state to legalize online casino gaming. Currently, the states where iGaming is legal include Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.