The Future of Online Casinos in Maryland: Is Online Casino Gambling Coming?

• A poll finds that voters in Maryland do not want online casinos
• State lawmakers have considered iGaming legislation in recent sessions

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As the debate surrounding the legalization of online casinos intensifies, Maryland lawmakers have discussed various gambling law legislations in recent sessions, yet no formal proposal has been put forth for a vote in the General Assembly. This legislative hesitation aligns with a recent poll conducted by Lake Research Partners in Washington, DC, and commissioned by the National Association Against iGaming (NAAIG), which indicates that residents hope the current restrictions on online casinos remain unchanged through 2026.

A survey of 650 registered voters revealed that 71% of likely voters are opposed to legalising iGaming. Among those opposed, 64% expressed being “strongly opposed” to the expansion of online casinos.

“Opposition to the legalization of iGaming in Maryland is thorough and consistent across all demographics,” stated the researchers. “iGaming starts out unfavourable and becomes stronger as voters learn more about it.”

Currently, legal iGaming is limited to the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia. Despite this, many states continue to see the operation of unregulated online sweepstakes casinos.

Maryland: A Prime Target for iGaming Advocates

Advocates for iGaming view Maryland as a prime candidate for policy changes. With a median household income around $100K, Maryland ranks third in the U.S., just behind Massachusetts and New Jersey.

The Maryland General Assembly considered iGaming legislation in both 2024 and 2025. Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary (D-Howard) was the leading force behind House Bill 17, which aimed to permit the state’s six casinos and various online sportsbooks to seek internet casino licenses. Each license would have incurred a cost of $1 million every five years, with a proposed tax rate of 55% on gross revenue designated for educational funding.

Despite these efforts, Atterbeary’s bill saw little progress in 2025, failing to receive a committee vote before it ultimately died in the Ways and Means Committee, which she chairs.

Opposition Against iGaming

Major opposition to iGaming in Maryland comes from entities like The Cordish Companies, which operates the Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland located in Anne Arundel County. Cordish is a founding member of NAAIG, pushing against iGaming expansion.

Maryland’s physical casinos have been experiencing declines recently. For four consecutive months, gross gaming revenue has dropped compared to the same months in 2024. From July 1 to September 30 in the 2026 fiscal year, Maryland casino revenue decreased by 3.1% compared to the previous year, with these establishments primarily supporting the Education Trust Fund aimed at enhancing public education and school infrastructure.

Key Takeaways

• A significant 71% of Maryland voters oppose online casinos.
• Recent legislation proposals for online gaming in Maryland have not made significant progress.
• Concerns regarding the impact of iGaming on physical casinos continue to grow.
• Legislation for online casinos could end up taxing gaming operators with a substantial portion allocated to education.

This poll reflects Maryland’s strong inclination to maintain a traditional approach to gambling, favouring physical locations over digital expansions. As a vibrant gaming state, Maryland’s future legislative actions surrounding iGaming will be closely watched as advocates and opponents alike strategize for the upcoming legislative sessions.