Maryland weighs historic gambling expansion with online casinos and poker reforms
Maryland lawmakers are set to review a series of bills that could transform the state's gambling industry. Hearings scheduled for March 11 will examine proposals to legalise online casinos, authorise multi-state online poker and crack down on illegal sweepstakes-style gambling. If passed, the changes would represent the largest expansion of gambling in Maryland in years.
At the heart of the package is SB 885, which would establish a regulated online casino market. The bill reserves five-year licenses mainly for existing video lottery and sports betting operators. License fees are set at $1 million for a standard permit and $500,000 for a live-dealer-only option, though reduced rates apply for minority and social equity applicants.
The legislation also introduces stricter consumer protections. These include delays on deposit limits, marketing bans during self-suspension periods, and voluntary exclusion lists. An employee-displacement fund would support workers affected by industry shifts. Additionally, licensees must enter labour peace agreements, while funding would be directed toward education and responsible gambling programmes.
Another key proposal, SB 884, redefines online poker as a standalone, skill-based licence separate from broader casino gaming. This change would allow Maryland to join interstate poker compacts, expanding tournament options and improving liquidity for players. Meanwhile, SB 761 would put online casino legalisation to a public vote in the November 2026 referendum.
The package also targets unregulated operators. SB 652 grants regulators the power to issue cease-and-desist orders and forces financial intermediaries to block payments to illegal gambling sites. If enacted, these measures would reshape Maryland's gaming landscape, boosting regulated markets while limiting unlicensed competition in the early years.
The proposed laws would mark a major shift in Maryland's approach to gambling. Online casinos and multi-state poker could launch if voters approve the referendum, while stricter enforcement aims to curb illegal operators. The changes, if implemented, would take effect from March 2026 onward.
