[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6341864,"mediaKeyId","2256297-08fdea832442f0b668ed5d6e064805f3","parentId",2256297,"title","Broad testimony before Ways and Means as delegates weigh legalizing iGaming in Maryland","audioSeconds",14570,"startMs",1026000,"endMs",15596000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2256297-08fdea832442f0b668ed5d6e064805f3&start=1026&end=15596","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2256297-08fdea832442f0b668ed5d6e064805f3/thumbnail_1026000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6341864/Maryland/Broad-testimony-before-Ways-and-Means-as-delegates-weigh-legalizing-iGaming-in-Maryland","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6341864-7357f3aa96b1ed5ae4d587b0c713b12f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153773&Signature=VqyL64C3mcW5z9QJXuOLerjXsC6sB9~2gxQ6CESoPRTGRdcQdOlcJ35HyncCBX5609rX12RonABlq-CjuYQnfCfZoSig7GbiP-qryhCayeriQL0dNT5pCzrLTtB-zXSEybWaygoymD98q0BXhiIa7hjFyCDa-ZqNm9zWkuQa5sLbHZQ4T7TcsdQ-XTijy-jLm0tylT0-GzqcSycQhY4yOvej8U00N9IvlwgdzjLbL9J8JUB1ggWioOqdyYp6KCjRHq~W47lZbsNfyg2WGvyKhjOeoHs0IWOMzogGRQg42lO5Zcj~jEoXDyjbIn-2BCO8D3doIlSd-sgeTN4qNAXPjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Maryland General Assembly - Ways and Means","date","2025-02-10T00:00:00Z","article","Delegate Vanessa Atterberry introduced House Bill 17 in a Ways and Means Committee hearing on Feb. 10, seeking to authorize internet casino gaming in Maryland with a licensing framework, diversity requirements, consumer protections and fees intended to bring unregulated play into a state‑regulated market.

The bill, Atterberry said, is intended “to capture the already existing illegal online gaming market in the state of Maryland that is operating to the tune of $7,000,000,000, annually,” and to create a regulated alternative that funds education and problem‑gambling resources while imposing safeguards for minors and at‑risk players.

What supporters told the committee

Witnesses for the bill included trade groups, prospective license applicants and casino industry representatives who argued legalized iGaming would generate new tax revenue, bring offshore operators under state oversight and enable stronger consumer protections. Richard Taylor, BetMGM’s director of responsible gambling, told the committee: “By legalizing iGaming, Maryland can provide a safe regulated alternative ensuring that consumers are protected while the state collects tax revenues for vetted gaming companies.” Several industry witnesses described tools used now in regulated markets, including age verification, deposit and spending limits, voluntary self‑exclusion and proactive account monitoring.

Atterberry walked members through policy components in the bill: a $1,000,000 license fee (with payment plans and renewal terms), a hard‑coded $10,000,000 employee displacement fund to help workers affected by cannibalization, and a tax framework discussed in committee testimony that included a 55 percent top rate for certain games and lower rates for live‑dealer products as legislative options. The bill would also require diversity plans from licensees, and call for reporting to the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission on player behavior flags and program outcomes.

Concerns from unions, treatment experts and some casino operators

Labor unions, treatment providers and several casino operators opposed or urged caution. Unite Here, the largest U.S. casino workers union, argued iGaming has coincided with steep job losses in markets such as Atlantic City and Detroit; its research witness reported a decline in hotel and food service jobs where iGaming grew. Mary Drexler of the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling testified the research shows higher rates of problem gambling among online players and warned that easier access increases harm. On the floor, union members and casino employees described tip‑dependent positions that would lose income if foot traffic declined.

Economic analysis and debate over cannibalization

The committee heard competing evidence about fiscal impacts. An updated analysis submitted by the Innovation Group, which performed the state’s earlier study, said updated data through 2024 point to a larger cannibalization effect than earlier estimated — roughly 16 percent of casino revenue — and projected potential job losses and lost local tax receipts that offset some iGaming tax gains. Industry witnesses disputed some of those projections and emphasized state revenue potential if the market is regulated and taxed; trade witnesses presented revenue scenarios and urged structured diversity and consumer‑protection rules.

Committee action and next steps

The hearing produced lengthy questioning but no committee vote on HB 17 in the transcript. Members repeatedly pressed proponents on age verification, the effectiveness of voluntary exclusions and how the state would respond if local retail businesses and casinos lost revenues. Several members asked the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission and the attorney general to provide legal and enforcement analysis on whether and how offshore operators can be shut down.

Ending

The committee concluded the hearing after extensive testimony from both supporters and opponents. No vote was recorded in the transcript; members requested additional information and indicated further work and deliberation would follow.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","W&M Committee Session, 2/10/2025 #1","oneSentenceSummary","Delegate Vanessa Atterberry introduced House Bill 17 in a Ways and Means Committee hearing on Feb. 10, seeking to authorize internet casino gaming in Maryland with licensing, diversity rules and consumer safeguards to draw a large unregulated market into oversight.","taxTitle","Ways and Means Committee, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Maryland","taxId",15064,"location","Maryland","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6341869,"Delegate Edelson urges committee to let Orioles run 50/50 raffles at every Camden Yards home game",417,528000,945000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2256297-08fdea832442f0b668ed5d6e064805f3&start=528&end=945","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2256297-08fdea832442f0b668ed5d6e064805f3/thumbnail_528000.jpg","/articles/6341869/Maryland/Delegate-Edelson-urges-committee-to-let-Orioles-run-5050-raffles-at-every-Camden-Yards-home-game","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6341869-f1b9f31632684cb349c3e7e3c922ae1f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153773&Signature=VHTehBBHRWj~IE5Sm6-ZdUXE9jkQP7T-A2IebYiGhIb~x7Dz2aIrdWZIBf5kBxc-~EUX942JsX2WdGeqe29rn~e5xYsDr-wzhDRp-uFFXEdNzQmNCuHhaiztaMdYZn5cLcpiuPQeAzKNxdXD1gO6roB-UCYcTNsH2Z00l53~4AA6dtup48PCe8YprTXIXsgpT5BFiXBuTEE6NkUtinfxi1mJiLyhtEV5aV-NPt6l9KpfpfkqOpujhJu58EBmSbtlsNOfKmc98AY5Xos3LxuI3QKZna53rFLTZuf75aXlTKsJtMZ8LP9Hta-H-F~Yhu2Vl518eoVce2kCxAzdRp5cwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Delegate Mark Edelson asked the House Ways and Means Committee on Feb. 10 to allow the Baltimore Orioles to hold 50/50 raffles at every home game at Camden Yards, amending a state limit that now restricts charity partners to 12 raffles per year.

The bill would create a single seasonal permit allowing raffles at all 81 regular-season home games, permit mobile ticket purchases, and designate proceeds for the Baltimore Orioles Foundation and its partner charities, supporters told the committee.

What the bill would do and why supporters want it

Edelson told the committee the change is “a hyper local bill for Baltimore City” and that legislators from Baltimore “have had the opportunity to see our work firsthand.” He described the mechanics: “What we're looking to do here is allow the Baltimore Orioles to conduct fiftyfifty raffles, at the stadium and in the city, for home games.” He said raffles would run from one hour before first pitch through the seventh inning and that mobile ticketing would be permitted.

Jack Mitchell, who identified himself as a Baltimore resident and an intern with the Orioles’ leadership team, said the bill “will grant the Baltimore Orioles a permit to operate a fiftyfifty raffle within Camden Yards for every home game during the season” and described the foundation’s community work in Harlem Park.

Committee members asked how the existing statutory limit works. Lisa Harris Johnson, representing the Orioles, explained that under current state statute each charitable organization is capped at 12 raffles a year; the bill would create a separate permit limited to the Orioles at Baltimore home games so one charitable partner could run raffles across the full season without exhausting its 12-event allotment.

What the legislation does not change

Supporters stressed the proposal does not route money to the ballpark operator or to stadium redevelopment. “No, it only goes to the Baltimore Orioles Foundation, which is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit,” Edelson said, adding that the foundation works with other nonprofits across the city.

Committee action and next steps

The committee heard testimony from Edelson and Orioles representatives and asked several clarifying questions. The hearing concluded with no committee vote recorded on House Bill 399.

Ending

Committee members offered brief remarks and moved on to the next agenda item, House Bill 17, which drew an extended panel of witnesses. No formal committee action on HB 399 was recorded in the transcript.","A Baltimore-focused bill heard Feb. 10 would raise the annual limit on 50/50 raffles from 12 to 81 for the Baltimore Orioles, allowing mobile ticketing and directing proceeds to the Orioles Foundation. Supporters say the change will expand charitable giving; committee took testimony but recorded no vote.","actionData","errors"]

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Broad testimony before Ways and Means as delegates weigh legalizing iGaming in Maryland

Delegate Edelson urges committee to let Orioles run 50/50 raffles at every Camden Yards home game