The state of Maryland may well be the second state to officially repeal sports betting after Vermont. A lawmaker in Maryland, Senator Joanne Benson, has submitted Senate Bill 1033, which seeks to revoke sports betting online in the state. In-person sports betting will still remain in place.

Maryland has become the second state to consider revoking its online sports betting law, following the introduction of Senate Bill 1033 by Senator Joanne Benson. The bill, filed this week, seeks to eliminate online sports betting in the state while leaving in-person wagering intact. This move mirrors recent legislative efforts in Vermont, where lawmakers are also considering rolling back legalized sports betting.

The evolution of sports betting in Maryland

Voters in Maryland endorsed sports betting through a referendum in 2020, leading to the establishment of a regulatory framework the next year. Retail sportsbooks began operations later that year, while online sports betting took longer to materialize due to a lengthy regulatory process, finally launching in November of 2022.

The state currently boasts a total of 11 online sportsbooks operators as well as 13 on-site sports betting venues. In addition, the industry has grown significantly, with January 2025 figures showing $17.6 million in bets placed at retail sportsbooks and a substantial $601.3 million handled by online platforms. This then allowed the state to collect $160,698 in taxes from retail betting and $8.1 million from online sports betting operations.

But despite the revenue generated, Sen. Benson's bill demonstrates growing concerns about the impact of online sports betting, particularly its potential to encourage problem gambling and disproportionately affect vulnerable communities.

Parallel efforts in Vermont

Maryland's proposed repeal aligns with similar legislative action in the state of Vermont. Representative Thomas Stevens recently introduced a bill aimed at repealing both sports betting and the state lottery. The measure has received support from lawmakers such as Representative Troy Headrick, who voiced concerns about the social impact of state-sanctioned gambling.

"State-sanctioned gaming functions as a camouflaged form of regressive taxation," Headrick stated in an interview. "It disproportionately harms low-income and working families who are forced into desperate financial decisions."

Vermont legalized online sports betting in January of 2024 and currently operates three online sportsbook platforms. Since its launch, the industry has dealt with $222.6 million in wagers.

Maryland's gambling regulation and legislation in the spotlight

Maryland has been a focal point for gambling legislation, with lawmakers actively debating the expansion of online casinos for a second consecutive year. In 2024, the Maryland House approved an online casino bill, though it did not advance further.

In addition to the proposed repeal of online sports betting, other gambling-related bills are under consideration. For instance, Governor Wes Moore has proposed doubling the tax rate on sports betting from 15% to as much as 30%, alongside an increase in table game tax rates from 20% to 25%. Additionally, Senator Paul Cornerman introduced Senate Bill 860, targeting online sweepstakes casinos and seeking to prohibit social sweepstakes games in the state.

The future of online sports betting in Maryland

While Sen. Benson's bill is in its early stages, its introduction signals a potential shift in Maryland's approach to online sports betting. With lawmakers debating both the repeal of existing betting laws and potential expansions of online gambling, the state's regulatory landscape remains in doubt.

Both stakeholders and policymakers in the gaming sector are all set to watch the progression of SB 1033 closely, as its outcome could significantly impact Maryland's gaming industry - and set a precedent for other states reevaluating their stance on online sports betting.