Legal US Poker Sites – The Baltimore Sun reports that Maryland state legislators passed a bill on April 4 which would fine gamblers under 21 caught playing in a land-based casino. For the bill to become official, the bill will have to be signed by Governor Martin O’Malley. The bill is endorsed by Maryland casino operators, due to the deterrent factor provided by the fines and penalties for those who break the law. Prior to the bill’s passage, underage gamblers had no discouragement besides being thrown out of the casino, while the casino itself faced its own stiff fines.
The General Assembly passed the legislation on Thursday. Previously, the Maryland House of Representatives passed the bill unanimously, showing how far sentiment about gambling has shifted in the past couple of years. Just two years ago, the House failed to pass the same bill.
Senator Katherine Klausmeier, a Democrat from Baltimore County, sponsored the bill in the General Assembly. Now that both houses of the Maryland legislature have agree to the proposal, the bill goes before the governor. The signing by Martin O’Malley is considered to be all-but-assured, given the unanimous vote in the House.
Casinos gave the bill their full support. Up until now, Maryland casinos have been required to pay fines when underage gamblers have succeeded using a fake identification card or in sneaking past security (and gotten caught later). In the past, expelling the teen gamblers was the only recourse operations had. Now, the onus is placed on underage gamblers, who face stiff fines if they’re found in violation of the law. The new law helps casinos enforce regulations, because some of the perpetrators will think twice before trying to get into the casino.
