Legislation
US – Maryland poll shows public favour sports betting
By Phil - 13 November 2018
A survey in Maryland has shown that the public would vote in favour of legalising sports betting in Maryland, adding it to the existing lottery and horse racing betting.
The survey, carried out by Washington Post-University of Maryland, saw 53 per cent of people voting in favour with 37 per cent voting against it. A Maryland bill asking for a voter referendum on sports betting was approved in the House of Delegates in March meaning the state’s voters will get a referendum but not until November 2020.
Gordon Medenica, Director of Maryland’s Lottery and Gaming Control Agency that runs the lottery and overseas the state’s six casinos, said: “We expect sports-betting legislation to be taken up again this coming session as there seems to be broad support for some form of sports betting in Maryland.”
MGM Harbor, located in Prince George’s County, said: “Maryland stands to lose a competitive edge and may find itself playing catch-up.”
Democrats and Republicans have both expressed support for legalised sports betting in Maryland. Global Market Advisors believes that sports betting in Maryland could generate up to $182.1m in revenues. In 2017, the Lottery established a new all-time sales record of $1.935bn and instant ticket sales set an all-time record totalling $676.8m, an increase of $65.5m (10.7 per cent) over 2016.
