The push for mobile casinos in Maryland grew last week, as a second bill to legalize online casino gambling was introduced Friday by Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary.
House Bill 1319, which is scheduled for discussion in the House Ways and Means Committee on Feb. 26, would award up to 12 online casino licenses. Unlike Senate Bill 603, which was introduced in late January, HB 1319 doesn’t tether the licenses to the state’s brick-and-mortar casinos.
The House bill taxes licensees at a minimum of 20% on live dealer table games and a minimum 55% on other online casino gaming. The Senate bill taxes gross revenue at 47%, while the House bill lists an initial licensing fee of $1 million and each license is good for five years.
