Maryland's iGaming gains focus amid sports betting expansion, legislation set for 2024 review

Amidst the expansion of Maryland's sports wagering market, the burgeoning iGaming sector gains prominence, with attention pivoting towards virtual slot machines and diverse casino games.

The count of mobile sportsbooks available in the state surged to 11 during July, subsequently reaching a tally of 12 last week, the Daily Record reported. This uptick was realized through the endorsement of licenses for Greenmount Station and its operating collaborator, Parx Interactive. Oversight of betting and casinos in Maryland falls under the jurisdiction of the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency.

During the previous legislative session that concluded in April, state lawmakers sought to establish online gambling; however, the bill stalled at the committee level and did not progress to a vote for approval. According to the report, iGaming legislation is projected for deliberation once more in the upcoming 2024 session commencing in January.

In anticipation of the matter, the Lottery and Gaming Control Agency is expected to deliver a report to state legislators by mid-November. This report will encompass insights from other states that have embraced iGaming, exploring the potential advantages of establishing a legal iGaming market in Maryland and its potential impact on issues like problem gambling, the report said.

Advocates of iGaming assert that its implementation could introduce a novel funding source for education and bolster state revenue through mechanisms such as multi-jurisdictional gaming. This feature enables players from various states to participate in betting activities, thereby increasing the overall wagered amounts.

Additionally, proponents argue that the emerging iGaming sector would enable the state to capture profits from users employing mobile apps and electronic payment methods for private online gaming. Senator Ronald Watson, a Prince George's County Democrat and sponsor of the iGaming bill, noted these potential benefits in February.

According to the American Gaming Association, in 2022, seven states, including Delaware, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, permitted iGaming. The list also included Connecticut, Michigan, Nevada, and New Jersey.