Lawmakers in Maryland passed House Bill 518 by a 132-0 vote. The bill aims to strengthen consumer protections by banning college player props and removing credit cards as a payment method for sports betting. It will also raise the minimum age requirement for daily fantasy sports from 18 to 21 years old.
Maryland aims to ban college player props due to safety concerns for athletes. Players have spoken publicly about harassment they’ve dealt with from frustrated sports bettors complaining about losing wagers, including Duke’s Isaiah Evans. These sentiments have been shared by NCAA President Charlie Baker in a recent CBS interview.
Concerns over the impact of college player props betting have made the NCAA release a public service announcement campaign during March Madness, which is one of the busiest events of the year on the sports betting calendar. The “Draw The Line” campaign aims to raise awareness about the impact of harassment on players.
Additionally, a ban on college player props serves to protect game integrity. Since these wagers are tied to player-based outcomes, they’re easier to manipulate. This was seen in a recent scandal involving college basketball players.
The move to try to ban college player props is not specific to Maryland, as other states like Ohio, Vermont, and Louisiana have done the same.
By attempting to ban credit cards as a payment method for betting sites, Maryland lawmakers are prioritizing responsible gaming. If a player is dealing with problem gambling, being able to bet on credit, with money they may not have, is a major issue. By removing this as a form of payment, it can potentially deter these players from funding their accounts.
Additionally, HB 518 requires sports betting operators to force users to set deposit limits within a specific period of time. Often, these responsible gaming tools are only used if a player is dealing with problem gambling. By taking a proactive approach in forcing users to set these limits, the goal is to prevent any problems from arising down the road.
Following its unanimous passage in the House, HB 518 now heads to the Maryland Senate, where lawmakers will review the bill and determine whether to advance it further. If approved without significant amendments, the legislation would then be sent to the governor’s desk for final approval.
As the bill moves through the next stage of the legislative process, discussions are expected to focus on the balance between consumer protections and the operational impact on sportsbooks and daily fantasy platforms. Measures such as banning college player props, restricting credit card usage, and mandating deposit limits could prompt feedback from operators, regulators, and responsible gaming advocates.
If ultimately enacted, Maryland would join a growing list of states implementing stricter controls on sports betting markets, particularly those involving college athletes, signaling continued momentum toward enhanced oversight and player protection across the industry.
