State lawmakers in Maryland have approved a plan to implement both in-person and online sports betting across the state.
The state House of Delegates passed a sports betting implementation bill that calls for 22 retail sports betting locations with 10 additional licenses to be added later; and 15 licenses to conduct online/mobile sports betting.
Among the retail locations approved by the bill, which now goes to the state Senate, are Maryland’s six casinos, the state’s three major professional sport stadiums, and horse racing tracks. Under the measure, the stadiums of the Washington Football Team, the Baltimore Ravens and the Baltimore Orioles also can create their own online betting sites.
Licenses would be granted to racetracks including Pimlico in Baltimore, Laurel Park, and the state fairgrounds in Timonium. Another license created under the measure would go to a “riverboat” off-track betting parlor on the Potomac River in Charles County.
The measure would authorize wagering on both professional and college sports, as well as international sporting events and fantasy sports betting.
The bill calls for a 15 percent state tax on the first $5 million in sports betting revenue, raising to 17.5 percent on revenue above that.
The measure, which would implement a November statewide ballot decision, was sponsored by House Speaker Adrienne Jones.
