In recent legislative sessions, Maryland lawmakers have discussed legislation pertaining to online casino gambling; however, no bill has been presented for a vote in either chamber of the General Assembly. According to a recent survey, locals hope things won't change in 2026.

According to a recent survey by Lake Research Partners in Washington, DC, which was commissioned by the National Association Against iGaming (NAAIG), the vast majority of Marylanders favor limiting table games and slots to the six physical casinos in the state.

71% of probable voters are against allowing iGaming, according to a study of 650 registered voters. Sixty-four percent of the opposition stated that they are "strongly opposed" to casinos going online.

"Opposition to the legalization of iGaming in Maryland is thoroughly and consistently high, and cuts across all demographic breakdowns,” the researchers wrote. “iGaming starts out as net unfavorable and solidifies into strong opposition once it is defined. Opposition to iGaming only increases as voters learn more about it.”

As of right now, only Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia allow legal iGaming. Nonetheless, uncontrolled internet sweepstakes casinos are still operating in several states.

Maryland's Top Priority

Maryland is the best state to lobby, according to iGaming operators and supporters. Maryland comes in third place, behind only Massachusetts and New Jersey, with a median household income of roughly $100,000.

In 2024 and this year, the Maryland General Assembly took iGaming into consideration. With House Bill 17, Del. Vanessa Atterbeary (D-Howard) spearheaded the effort in 2025.

The law aimed to grant internet casino licenses to the six casinos in the state as well as numerous online bookmakers. Every five years, each license would cost $1 million. Atterbeary proposed a 55% tax on iGaming gross earnings, with the state using the proceeds to fund education.

In 2025, Atterbeary's bill made little progress. The Ways and Means Committee, which Atterbeary heads, rejected the iGaming measure before it could be put to a vote.

Opposition to iGaming

The Cordish Companies is one of the main rivals of iGaming in Maryland. Live! is operated by the Baltimore-based gambling and hotel company. The Casino & Hotel Maryland is located close to the BWI airport in Anne Arundel County.

Cordish is one of NAAIG's original partners. Ocean Downs Casino in Berlin, a racetrack casino owned and run by Churchill Downs, Inc., a member of the NAAIG, likewise supports the anti-iGaming movement. Despite the opposition of NAAIG members to iGaming, Cordish and Churchill continue to run online casinos in jurisdictions that permit it, such as adjacent Pennsylvania. Cordish is associated with bet365, while Live! is associated with FanDuel.

Physical casinos in Maryland have been losing a lot lately. When compared to the same months in 2024, overall gaming income decreased for the fourth consecutive month in September.

Maryland casino income decreased 3.1% from the previous year through the first quarter of the 2026 fiscal year (July 1 through September 30). The Education Trust Fund, which funds public education and school facilities, is the main beneficiary of the state's casinos.