Maryland Voters Strongly Oppose Online Casino Expansion
Maryland voters are pushing back dramatically versus a push to expand iGaming in their state, according to a new survey.
A recent survey shows 71 % of Marylanders oppose online casino expansion, raising major questions about the political feasibility of passing a real cash online casino law in the near future.
Why Maryland Voters Protest Online Casino Expansion
The Lake Research Partners poll, commissioned by the National Association Against iGaming (NAAiG), assessed the viewpoints of 650 registered Maryland voters from September 15-18, 2025.
After citizens were offered a description of iGaming - "24-hour access to casino video games on mobile devices" - opposition rose. Only 17 % of respondents saw online casinos positively, while nearly half stated they had actually never become aware of the idea.
Critics fret that allowing a real money online casino industry would damage families, expose minors to gaming, and canonicalize revenues at brick-and-mortar casinos.
In reality, a 2024 report prepared for the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission forecast that legal iGaming might drive a 10 % decrease in land-based casino earnings.
Despite the survey, legislators pushing for iGaming expansion face installing resistance from constituents and interest groups alike.
Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary and Senator Ron Watson have sponsored costs in the past 2 sessions, but both efforts stalled - often satisfying strong testifier opposition, specifically from unions and casino operators. Atterbeary's 2024 expense passed your house however passed away in the Senate.
Lawmakers now find themselves in a bind: push the and run the risk of citizen reaction, or shelve the measure in the middle of growing public resistance.
Possible Directions for Online Casinos in Maryland
Given the strong ballot, supporters may move methods. One alternative is to frame iGaming as a regulated enhance to physical gambling establishments, instead of a replacement. They may press more modest bills that limit market size or include strong consumer securities. Alternatively, supporters could double down on public education campaigns developed to soften uncertainty.
Another possibility is delaying any vote up until after the general public ends up being more familiar with digital gaming. Any iGaming legalization would likely require a public referendum in November 2026 - implying the same citizens who oppose it now would have the last word.
If growth does succeed, convenience-oriented operators might target hybrid models that tie genuine cash online gambling establishment access to existing land gambling establishments. Some may adopt geofencing, rigorous age confirmation, and self-exclusion features to reduce public issues.