Maryland sports betting edges closer

The Maryland Senate clears sports betting Bill and sends it to the House for approval.

US.- Maryland lawmakers continue to make progress with sports betting legislation after the Senate unanimously passed Bill SB4, sending it on to the House for final approval.

Should it sail through the lower chamber as well, legal sports betting would then be put to a referendum in November.

The Bill would legalise sports betting in the state, allowing punters to wager on professional and college sports. According to analysts, Maryland sports betting could raise up to US$20 million per year for state coffers.

Sports books would be permitted at sports stadiums, casinos and horse racing tracks, but only inside sports betting lounges with self-service kiosks.

SB4 also allows for online and mobile sports betting via dedicated sites that must hold a licence from the state gaming regulator.