Firm News

Nov 6, 2020

Maryland Just Voted To Legalize Sports Betting At Stadiums and Casinos. What Happens Next?

By: DOMINIQUE MARIA BONESSI

Marylanders have overwhelmingly approved legalizing sports betting, but it may take more than a year before they can make their first legal wager.

State voters approved of the ballot question by a 2-1 margin on Tuesday. Proceeds will be used to help fund K-12 public education. The Maryland legislature has some work to do before sports betting actually begins in the state though.

Maryland joined 17 states, including Virginia, in legalizing sports betting, in addition to the District. The state Senate voted for a sports betting referendum, 47-0, earlier this year. But it still needs to vote on enabling legislation to get the industry up and running when it reconvenes in January. Under the law, a licensee would have needed to pay a one-time application fee of up to $2.5 million and renew it annually at an additional charge.