Maryland House Of Delegates, State Senate Pass Sports Wagering Bill

The Maryland House of Delegates and state Senate have passed a sports wagering bill that will move to the desk of Gov. Larry Hogan and, if signed, will likely open the door for legal sports betting in the state at some point this year.

The House passed a sports wagering bill (HB0940) and sent it to the Senate for consideration in March. On April 12, the last day of the legislative session, the House and Senate agreed on an amended bill, and both chambers passed the bill before the end of the day. The Senate passed it, 47-0, and the House, 112-16-1.

The bill is historic in terms of how many licenses will be available for bricks-and-mortar establishments and online outlets, according to gambling.com. In addition to casinos and horse race tracks, other establishments that will be eligible for “Class A” licenses include Camden Yards, M&T Bank Stadium and FedEx Field.

Thirty other, smaller bricks-and-mortar establishments will be eligible for “Class B” licenses. Sixty online licenses will be available as well.

Maryland voters passed a sports wagering referendum last November, with the only provision being that tax revenue would go toward education. At that point, it was left it up to legislators to figure out the details during this legislative session.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Delaware Park

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