Legislation to allow voters to decide on sports betting in Maryland now sits on the desk of Governor Larry Hogan. The state’s General Assembly sent that legislation to the Governor for his consideration. If voters approve it during the November election, state lawmakers would then determine licensing procedures. The House of Delegates voted 129-3 late Tuesday without debate to approve the amended for sports betting in Maryland, as lawmakers worked through scores of bills ahead of a self-imposed deadline to adjourn early this session due to the coronavirus outbreak. Del. Nick Mosby of Baltimore maneuvered for a bill that does…

This week, regulations governing fantasy sports contests in the State of Maryland went into effect.  The regulations, implemented pursuant to a 2012 law exempting fantasy sports from the State’s gambling prohibition, vest the Office of the Comptroller with authority to enforce various consumer protection rules aimed at establishing basic rules to ensure fairness in the Maryland fantasy sports industry. What are the key components of the Maryland fantasy sports regulations? The Maryland fantasy sports regulatory scheme provides the Office of the Comptroller with broad regulatory authority over fantasy sports operators, including mandates for, at a minimum, the following: Prohibitions against…

Maryland casino revenue climbed nearly 10 percent in May , with the bulk of gaming coming from Maryland Live Casino. The state’s four casinos brought in $75.8 million during the month, up $6.6 million from $69.2 million in May 2012. Maryland Live, the state’s largest casino, generated $59.5 million, up 8.1 percent from $4.5 million a year before. The casino operates 4,204 slot machines and 189 table games. Hollywood Casino Perryville’s revenue dropped 8.7 percent, or $748,272, to $7.8 million in May. The casino operates 1,158 slot machines and 22 table games. Casino at Ocean Downs brought in $4.7 million,…

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…

Card Player – Maryland is looking at imposing penalties for those caught gambling while underage at casinos in the state. Under the proposed law change, a first offense would be a fine up to $100, a second would be $500 and a third $1,000. The third would also force those underage to participate in gambling addiction treatment. According to the Maryland State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency, there were 47 violations for underage gambling in state casinos during calendar 2013, resulting in fines totaling $30,000 for the casinos. A pair of bills are in the legislature at the moment. They…

Washington Post – Marylanders who host penny-ante poker games in their houses would no longer be breaking the law under a bill that advanced in the Maryland Senate on Tuesday. But then most Marylanders probably have no idea that hosting a friendly game of Texas hold ’em in the rec room is breaking the law, especially since the state has gone all in on casino gambling. Even some lawmakers didn’t know about an obscure provision that prohibits wagering on any game of chance or skill, even in the privacy of one’s home. “It’s illegal to get your Parcheesi game out…