Maryland has an online gaming bill that seeks to allow online casinos to offer table games and interactive slots. But, its chances of passing by December reduced greatly after its legislature failed to act on it before the “Crossover Day.”
The Senate heard about it on January 11 in the chamber’s 2023 opening session. Unfortunately, the upper chamber failed to pass it on time.
Crossover Day is the deadline for all bills’ deadline for one chamber of the Maryland General Assembly to consider a proposed constitutional amendment after another chamber passes it.
Also, it is 21 days before the state legislature adjourns for the year. This year’s adjournment will occur on April 10.
Senators Nancy King (D-Montgomery) and Ron Watson (D-Prince George) introduced Senate Bill 267 in January 2023. It is popularly called the “Internet Gaming Authorization and Implementation Act” and it will offer voters an opportunity to take part in a ballot referendum and decide whether the state will expand commercial online gaming.
Yet, the proposed amendment is already facing many hurdles to pass as a legislative-initiated referendum to change the state’s constitution. At least two-thirds of each of the General Assembly’s chambers’ members need to support it for it to pass. The ballot vote’s simple majority is necessary to allow online casinos if the General Assembly passes the bill.
More About Crossover Day
The Maryland Senate Budget and Taxation Committee was assigned SB 267. It made its first reading on January 25 but didn’t vote. The bill is still at the committee level.
Crossover Day has passed hence prompting the lawmakers to prioritize the gaming bill and hasten its discussions. But this might not take place instantly since over 100 bills crossed the Crossover Day deadline before the General Assembly passed them.
Chambers that the bills were passed need to consider them. They have a few days remaining before adjourning to handle the huge workload. SB 267 was crafted to generate more tax money for Maryland’s education.
Maryland has six land-based casinos, online and retail sports gambling that fund its K-12 public education. Latest reports show that its casinos generated $2 billion in gross gaming revenue in 2022.
The Maryland Education Trust Fund aids early childhood education, capital improvement projects, public elementary, the construction of public schools, and secondary education. It collected $617.1 million in casino taxes in 2022.
Did the Chambers Pass Sports Gambling Bills?
Maryland might not pass the online gaming bill this year. Even so, its lawmakers concentrated on regulations that intend to change Old Line State’s sports gambling industry.
Senator Shelly Hettleman (D-Baltimore County) introduced Senate Bill 620. It intends to publicize compact details of any partnership that a bookmaker makes with a state university or college.
The Senate passed SB 620 unanimously several days ago before the House received it last week. Senator Craig Zucker (D-Anne Arundel County) introduced Senate Bill 621, which Hettleman co-sponsored.
Maryland passed it before Crossover Day. It seeks to give the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency the mandate to audit all sports gambling handicappers, especially the ones that make more losses than wins.
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