Maryland seeks to regulate sports betting
State Delegates have introduced a bill to give the local commission regulation rights over the sports betting segment and avoid a public vote.
US.- Republican Delegates have introduced a bill to regulate and launch the sports betting segment in Maryland. The bill would hand the State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency the power to do so in order to rush the process.
House Bill 1132 was filed with the General Assembly by Dels. Jason Buckel and Kevin Hornberger in order to avoid putting the matter up for a public vote. If it fails, the whole process would be delayed until the next federal elections, scheduled for 2020.
Nonetheless, lawmakers are hopeful that the bill will pass, following previous suggestions saying the Agency has the power to launch sports betting under the 1972 referendum that created it in the first place. Should it pass, the regulator would be granted the power to concession sports betting services to third parties.
The bill foresees initial US$300k fees for video lottery and horse racing licensees interested in the segment. They would be one year long, with the possibility to be extended annually for an additional US$50k each time.
Licencees would keep 20% of gross proceeds raised, while the remaining amount would go to the Education Trust Fund. Furthermore, licensing fees would be used to support problem gambling prevention & treatment.
