Maryland Governor Larry Hogan says he is working with state House Speaker Michael Busch and Senate President Thomas Miller on drafting legislation to expand gaming in the state this year, including legalization of sports betting.
In an interview with the Washington Post, Hogan said there are competing proposals in the Maryland General Assembly to authorize sports betting, but “between the House, the Senate and the administration this session, it is probably going to get negotiated out.”
The resulting bill could create a voter referendum on sports betting, an effort that failed in last year’s session. Since the question was not placed on the ballot in 2018, the earliest voters can consider the question is in the 2020 election, which would put the launch of sports betting in 2021. Lawmakers also are considering placing responsibility for regulation of sports betting with the state lottery, which would negate the need for a statewide referendum.
Recent polls show a slight majority of Maryland voters are in favor of legal sports betting.
