Efforts to legalize online casino gaming in Maryland have stalled after a pair of key bills were withdrawn by their sponsor. The proposal will no longer move forward in the current legislative session.
These proposals for legalized iGaming in Maryland were backed by Senator Ron Watson.
One of the bills, Senate Bill 761, aimed to put the issue directly before voters via a statewide referendum. However, that measure was withdrawn earlier in March, removing a key requirement for any expansion of gambling under Maryland law.
Its companion, Senate Bill 885, which outlined how online casinos would be regulated, failed to advance out of committee before the legislature’s critical Crossover Day deadline.
The legislation also encountered resistance from multiple fronts. Delegate Wayne Hartman, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, indicated that lawmakers were reluctant to move legalized iGaming forward. He raised concerns about how future budget pressures could influence renewed efforts to expand gambling as a revenue source.
Opposition also emerged from industry stakeholders. Representatives for Ocean Downs Casino cautioned that online gaming could impact employment and deter people from going to the retail casinos.
All of this led to Sen. Watson withdrawing SB 761 and SB 885.
Sweepstakes casinos are not explicitly banned in Maryland. Like in many states, these platforms operate in a legal gray area by using promotional sweepstakes models rather than traditional real-money wagering.
With efforts to legalize iGaming now stalled, that gray area could become more significant. In the absence of regulated iGaming options, some players may continue to engage with sweepstakes casinos, since it’s their only option.
At the same time, others may turn to offshore platforms, which operate outside U.S. jurisdiction. Unlike regulated markets, these sites typically lack consumer protections such as responsible gaming measures. To that end, they pose more of a risk for players.
While this year’s effort has come to a halt, the broader conversation around online casino legalization in Maryland is unlikely to disappear. Lawmakers have already shown interest in the potential revenue opportunities tied to iGaming, particularly as budget pressures continue to be a recurring concern.
The withdrawal of SB 761 and SB 885 may reflect timing and political appetite rather than a complete rejection of the concept. Similar proposals could resurface in future sessions, potentially with revised frameworks.
For now, however, Maryland remains on the sidelines of the expanding U.S. iGaming market.
