A majority of respondents in a recent Public Policy Polling survey for the Maryland Retailers Alliance (MRA) do not support iGaming and an iLottery—a discouraging sign for passing a ballot referendum legalizing those activities in November. Public Policy Polling did not disclose demographic data but indicated 64 percent of poll participants oppose online casinos, 23 percent support it and 13 percent are undecided. The MRA supports the state’s land-based casinos and opposes online gambling and digital lotteries.
According to CDC Gaming Reports, MRA President Cailey Locklair said, “These policies would negatively impact not only the gaming and lottery industries but also every community that benefits from their local economic stimulation.”
Locklair noted Maryland’s casinos are strategically situated within 20 miles of eight Main Street neighborhoods in Baltimore City and 11 Maryland Main Street communities. “A downturn of the casino industry would have a direct negative impact on the local tourism economy, hitting every restaurant, retailer and hotel that operates near these entertainment epicenters,” she said, per CDC.
However, both chambers of the General Assembly are considering iGaming measures, although none have advanced to the full House or Senate. For a constitutional amendment, a statewide ballot referendum allowing online gambling must be held, followed by 60 percent approval in both chambers and then the governor must sign the legislation.
Testifying before the House Ways and Means Committee, Scientific Games Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Government Affairs Christine Wechsler said the company supports House Bill 1218, which would allow the Maryland Lottery to offer it games online to in-state players. Wechsler said offering online gaming would help increase the lottery’s annual profit, currently in excess of $714 million.
Per CDC, she said, “The Maryland Lottery is like all other businesses selling products to consumer. It must modernize to meet changing consumer demand. Providing convenient and relevant experiences to consumers online and at retail will be critical to enable the lottery’s sustainability and maximize revenue potential for the state.”
Wechsler added online lottery sales do not affect land-based gambling retail sales. She cited examples from the 12 U.S. lotteries that sell tickets online and noted not one of them has cannibalized retail casino business. In fact, she said in jurisdictions where iLotteries are legal, retail casinos have experienced rapid growth. Wechsler also said iLottery protects players and supports responsible play, allowing players to self-exclude and set deposit limits.
In addition, Wechsler said, iLottery is a new, convenient sales channel for lottery products and is not intended to replace or compete with casino games. She noted iLottery successfully operates along with iGaming, sports betting and other gambling verticals. “Scientific Games’ focus has always been on delivering solutions and services to facilitate retail growth and maximize profit returned to Maryland’s beneficiaries, and we are invested and fully committed to helping shape a successful iLottery framework for the state that responsibly drives continued growth across the lottery’s established brick-and-mortar retailer network while providing incremental online revenue,” Wechsler said.
