New Maryland Bill Would Legalize Online Casino Industry

Will 2025 be the year Maryland legalizes online casinos?

Maryland Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary has proposed a new bill to legalize online casinos in the state. House Bill 17 was assigned to the Ways and Means Committee for review, where Atterbeary is the chair. The 2025 legislative session is set to begin on January 8. 

Atterbeary has been one of Maryland's biggest advocates for legalizing online casinos. She has filed bills to legalize the industry in the past but hopes that this time will be different. 

The biggest hurdle for HB 17 to clear is concerns over problem gambling. The country has seen a spike in gambling addiction since legalizing sports betting, and Maryland is no exception. Some lawmakers have begun to wonder if legalizing any form of gambling was a mistake, making online casinos a tough sell in the state legislature.

While Atterbeary has acknowledged the concerns over problem gambling, she believes legalizing online casinos wouldn’t necessarily make things worse. 

“Contrary to what you may have heard, the sky will not fall if iGaming is implemented in the state of Maryland,” Atterbeary shared during a committee hearing to review last year’s bill. “Problem gamblers are going to find a way to gamble, as we have already seen. It is our job to create the appropriate protections and increase support and funding for treatments for those individuals.”

If passed, the bill would legalize online gambling and enter the state in the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement.

Land-Based Casinos Sounding Alarm

One of the most prominent opponents of online gambling is Maryland’s land-based casinos. These retail locations have been a popular destination for bettors in the region, but they fear online gambling would change that. 

Even if the casinos had licenses to offer the platform, they believe it would be a massive blow to their revenue. While they would still get revenue from gambling, players staying at home means they won’t be purchasing food, drinks, and other amenities offered by casinos. 

HB 17 attempts to address the concerns of retail casinos, but it will take time for the industry to abandon its strong opposition.