Controversial legislation in question as crossover deadline nears
Proposed state legislation that would let Maryland’s licensed casinos expand their operations into gambling apps for smartphones appears to be stalling ahead of an important deadline for the 2026 legislative session.
Two bills to enact internet gaming, or “iGaming,” had been pending this session of the General Assembly in Annapolis. The first (SB 761) would authorize an Election Day referendum. A companion bill (SB 885) outlining the nuts-and-bolts procedures for iGaming would only take effect if voters approved the referendum. Both were sponsored by Sen. Ron Watson.
However, Watson (D-23, Prince George’s) withdrew the referendum bill on March 13. That second procedural bill is still alive, technically, but it’s now a “zombie bill” that can’t function without its partner.
Watson did not respond to a request for comment for this report, and he hasn’t publicly explained why he pulled the bill.