Maryland Residents Say "No" to Online Casinos

In an unusual twist, the registered voters in Maryland made clear they have no interest in having legal access to online casinos. In a recent poll conducted by Lake Research Partners, 71% of registered voters said they have no interest in expanding online gambling access beyond what is currently available. What is currently available is online lotteries and sports betting.

While sports betting was legalized in 2021, there are currently debates taking place among lawmakers to repeal the prior legislation. If this were to happen, Maryland would become the first state to approve and then repeal sports betting within its borders.

This debate over online sports betting reflects a sentiment among Maryland residents that allowing online gambling is not a good idea.

Why Maryland Residents Oppose Online Gambling Expansion

The aforementioned poll was commissioned by the National Association Against iGaming (NAAiG). They ran the poll in late December, contacting 650 registered voters. According to the results, nearly 50% of the respondents were unaware that online casino gambling was being considered. Another 17% of the respondents were actually in favor of such a proposal.

Of the respondents who were clearly against the proposal, much of their negativity focused on the possibility that more online gambling access would negatively impact families and local communities. Opponents of online gambling expansion have done a good job convincing residents that having 24/7 access to online casinos would spur a spike in problem gambling issues.

Another key reason respondents gave for not supporting online gambling expansion related to the possible loss of jobs and the loss of revenue for brick-and-mortar casinos. The fear from this came from a 2024 report issued by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission (MLGCC). According to that report, retail casinos could lose as much as 10% of their revenue stream, and that would likely lead to the loss of much-valued jobs. This resistance is the same resistance that led to the defeat of online casino gambling legislation in prior years.

As recently as 2024, an iGaming legislation passed the House but failed to make it through the Senate. The same fate is likely what awaits any future attempts to get this kind of legislation passed.

What Now Moving Forward?

iGaming supporters in Maryland are unlikely to give up without a fight. If they are going to win the day, they will have to change their messaging. There are two strategies that are being mentioned.

First, there is a sense that Maryland residents need to be better educated about the potential benefits of online gambling in general. Legalizing such activities could bring more tax revenue into the state's coffers, leading to better services for residents.

Second, they need to do a better job of stressing the resources that would be allocated to deal with problem gambling issues. Offering stricter consumer protection laws could help squelch any ongoing concerns that residents might have.

With possible iGaming legislation being presented in the 2026 legislative session, the battle shall ensue.