Maryland lawmakers are actively debating whether to legalize internet casino gaming, a move that could bring an already thriving underground industry into a regulated framework. The House Ways and Means Committee recently reviewed HB 17, a bill introduced by Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary, which seeks to place online gambling under state oversight.
This follows earlier discussions in the Senate, where key players on both sides of the issue reiterated their positions.
Atterbeary highlighted that Maryland’s online gaming market already exists but operates illegally, with estimates suggesting it generates around $7 billion annually.
Advocates for legalization argue that instead of allowing these billions to flow through unregulated channels, the state should capitalize on the opportunity by implementing a regulated system.
