Maryland’s Online Casino Expansion Efforts Stalled

Maryland's efforts to legalize online casinos for 2025 have effectively come to a halt, with key bills failing to make it past the critical legislative crossover deadline and Governor Wes Moore’s budget proposal remaining silent on the potential revenue from iGaming. This development is a setback for proponents of online casinos, who now face at least another year of waiting before they can revisit the issue in Annapolis.

 

Failed Bills and the Crossover Deadline

Two bills, HB 17 and SB 340, which were introduced to establish a framework for legal online casinos in the state, received hearings in both the Maryland House of Delegates and Senate. However, neither bill was voted on by the committees overseeing them before the March 17 crossover deadline—a crucial legislative date by which bills must pass through the chamber where they originated before being considered by the other chamber.

With no votes taken, both pieces of legislation are effectively dead for the 2025 session. Maryland lawmakers will not be debating whether to ask voters to decide on iGaming this year, marking a significant blow to the state's online casino expansion efforts.

Governor Moore’s budget proposal for the state's 2026 fiscal year, which has been under review, makes no mention of anticipated revenues from online gaming, further signaling that he does not expect such a measure to be in place during his term. This omission underlines the perceived lack of momentum for the iGaming initiative in the state.

Proponents of legal online casinos in Maryland now face the difficult task of maintaining support for their cause while confronting a legislature that appears indifferent to the issue. The failure to secure movement on the legislation this year is compounded by the lack of enthusiasm from key lawmakers and, in some cases, outright opposition from gaming industry players within the state.

Several casino operators raised concerns about the potential impact of iGaming on their brick-and-mortar properties. MGM Resorts and Penn Entertainment, two of the state’s major gaming licensees, expressed dissatisfaction with provisions in HB 17 that would allow out-of-state operators to secure online gaming licenses in Maryland, which could create additional competition. Meanwhile, other local operators like Churchill Downs, owner of Ocean Downs in Berlin, and The Cordish Companies, operator of Maryland Live! in Hanover, outright opposed the legalization of online casinos, fearing a loss in revenue at their physical locations.

While adjustments to the bills could appease companies like MGM and Penn, who already run iGaming operations in other states, the broader opposition from in-state operators poses a significant obstacle to the bill’s future success.

 

Political Apathy and Legislative Disinterest

The challenge for online casino proponents is not just external opposition from gaming licensees but also the seeming lack of enthusiasm within the legislature. Many lawmakers have prioritized other issues, leaving the iGaming proposal to languish without substantial backing. As the legislative session progresses, it remains uncertain whether online casinos will become a priority for future sessions.

While some legislative members may be open to revisiting the conversation in 2026, convincing the broader legislature and overcoming entrenched opposition from in-state operators will require a concerted lobbying effort and a shift in the political climate.

In a related development, Senator Paul Corderman’s proposed ban on online casino games based on sweepstakes, which had a direct impact on the future of iGaming in the state, successfully made it past the crossover deadline. The Maryland Senate unanimously approved the bill on March 12, and the Maryland House of Delegates’ Ways and Means Committee has held a hearing on the House companion bill, though no further action has been taken.

While the proposed ban targets a different aspect of online gaming, it could indirectly clear the path for legal online casinos by addressing an issue that has garnered increasing attention in recent months. Despite this, lawmakers have not made any clear connection between these two issues, and the fate of the online casino legislation remains uncertain.

 

Maryland's efforts to legalize online casinos for 2025 have effectively come to a halt, with key bills failing to make it past the critical legislative crossover deadline and Governor Wes Moore’s budget proposal remaining silent on the potential revenue from iGaming.

 

Looking Ahead to 2026

With the 2025 legislative session winding down, the question now is whether Maryland voters will have a say on legalizing online casinos in 2026. For now, the issue seems to be at a standstill, with opposition from both in-state gaming operators and a lack of momentum in the legislature.

Advocates for iGaming will need to work diligently over the next year to build support, adjust their proposals to address concerns from key stakeholders, and overcome the political inertia that has stalled their efforts. Until then, Maryland’s online gambling expansion remains in limbo, with no clear timeline for when—or if—it will move forward.