The state has brought in a global consultancy to study online gaming’s viability
The efforts to legalize online slots and table games were a hot topic in the Maryland legislature this year as Senate Bill 267, introduced in January by Sens. Ron Watson (D-Prince George) and Nancy King (D-Montgomery), aimed to ask state voters if they wished to legalize online casinos. Now, the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission (MLGCC) has hired consultant group The Innovation Group to review the possible benefits of iGaming to the state.
Senate Bill 267 didn’t get enough support and was deferred in March. Lawmakers would later request that the MLGCC commission conduct a study into the advantages of iGaming. The thinking is that once the potential tax benefits are shared with the General Assembly, future expansion of online gaming might gain more support.
The application by The Innovation Group delivered the most attractive offer, with the cost of the online casino study expected to be $86K, much less than the MLGCC’s $100K budget.
The Innovation Group has many high-profile clients, such as Caesars Entertainment, MGM Resorts, Penn Entertainment, The Cordish Companies, and Churchill Downs, each operating a land-based casino in Maryland.
Online sportsbooks launched online in the state on November 23, 2022. Since then, Maryland online sports bettors have wagered about a quarter of a billion dollars monthly. Gross revenue from sports betting totaled $143.8 million through the first six months of 2023.
In New Jersey, online casinos generated about $250 million, with the tax benefit from retail and online sports betting bringing in nearly $98 million. About three million fewer residents live in Maryland than in New Jersey. However, Old Line State residents have the highest median household income in the U.S., while the average Maryland household earned almost $99,000 in 2022.
Editor-in-Chief of the Big Blind, a prominent gambling industry publication, brings 30+ years of journalism experience to his role. His vision emphasizes clarity, accessibility, and responsible journalism, making the Big Blind a trusted source in the online gambling sector.
