Maryland lawmakers are thinking of legalizing gambling over the internet by way of online casinos, but they’re still unsure in what direction to go with it.
The House Ways and Means Committee recently reviewed Delegate Venessa Atterbeary’s HB17 bill that would regulate online gambling in the state. In the bill, she argued that Maryland already has people gambling online but it’s currently done illegally, meaning the state is missing out on as much as $7 billion in tax revenues annually.
Right now, there are advocates and opponents of a bill that would make online casino gambling legal in Maryland. Supporters feel that the state should capitalize on the billions of dollars they’re missing out on by not yet legalizing, regulating, and most importantly taxing online gambling. An example in Maryland is its sports betting industry, which has brought in $140 million in tax revenue over the past four years. It would also protect its residents, allowing the state to implement safeguards if online gambling was legalized.
The financial advantages are not enough for those that are concerned with the potential pitfalls of legalizing online gambling. Casino operators in the state are worried that brick-and-mortar establishments will be financially affected if gamblers turn their attention to online play instead. This could also lead to in-state job losses, some casino representatives have claimed.
In Pennsylvania, the legalization of online gambling led to Presque Isle Casino laying off 45% of its employees due to a 15% revenue decline as gamblers apparently opted to play online more often.
For now, Atterbeary is hoping to hurry up the process by working around a voter referendum that would delay the activation of the bill until 2026. Meanwhile, gamblers in Maryland have been using offshore betting platforms to satisfy their need for online casinos.
States across the country have been starting to consider the financial and safety advantages of legalizing online casinos, though only a single-digit number of them have legalized online casinos thus far. Right now, the following states have legalized online gambling:
While fully legal online casinos are still a newer concept in the United States, over 30 states have already legalized sports betting. Esports betting is also on the mind of some states, such as in the state of New Jersey.
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
