Amidst budget negotiations in Maryland, hopes for the legalization of online casinos have been dashed for the year 2024. With online casino revenue not finding its way into the state’s budget agreement, it appears that Marylanders will have to wait until at least 2027 to see any progress in this regard.

Maryland’s Legislative Session Ends Without Inclusion of Online Casino Revenue

The state’s legislative session saw no inclusion of online casino revenue as a funding source in the budget deal reached on April 3. This outcome pushes any potential discussion on online casino legalization to the following years.

Although there were initial hopes for a referendum to reach Maryland voters by 2026, the recent developments suggest that such discussions may not gain traction until later. 

Sen. Ron Watson expressed that given the failure to pass legislation this year, the earliest possibility for mobile casino apps to go live in Maryland would be in 2027.

Despite Maryland already permitting legal sports betting and hosting brick-and-mortar casinos, the road to online casino legislation seems fraught with obstacles. Stakeholders in the online casino industry will need to address concerns regarding problem gambling and potential competition with existing physical casinos to garner support in future sessions.

Online Casino Legislation in Maryland Faces Resistance

The exclusion of online casinos from the state budget is particularly significant considering the initial momentum behind the proposed legislation. The House had passed a bill supporting online casinos, including it in its budget proposal, but Senate leadership was firm in their stance against such measures.

Proponents argued that regulated iGaming could address illegal gambling, but debates persisted over potential job losses and addiction risks, with the bill undergoing significant changes to address various concerns. 

Several challenges contributed to the demise of the online casino legislation. Notably, not all casinos supported the initiative, with Maryland Live! and Ocean Downs Casino expressing concerns about potential job losses and cannibalization of their businesses. Arundel County, the county where Maryland Live! Is located, also championed a study that corroborated the concerns regarding cannibalization.

Additionally, labor unions were strongly opposed to the legalization efforts.

At the same time, a recent study commissioned by the Sports Betting Alliance (SBA) challenged the conventional belief that online casinos cannibalize traditional brick-and-mortar establishments, revealing instead a symbiotic relationship between the two. 

Conducted by the Analysis Group, the study examined six states and found a significant increase in overall gaming revenue, suggesting that online gaming complements rather than competes with physical casinos.

However, despite these setbacks, there remains a glimmer of hope for proponents of online casinos. The fact that the Maryland House managed to pass the legislation demonstrates some level of support, suggesting that future sessions may see renewed efforts toward legalization.

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A state judge has invalidated the Nassau County government’s approval of a 99-year lease agreement, dealing a severe blow to the proposed $4 billion casino complex at the Nassau Coliseum. 

Hofstra University Secures Legal Victory as Judge Nullifies Nassau Casino Lease

The judge’s decision, issued on November 9, not only voids the existing lease but also mandates that Nassau County planning officials restart the entire process, including new hearings with the county legislature. The ruling is seen as a significant victory for Hofstra University, whose campus is adjacent to the proposed casino site, and has been a vocal opponent of the development.

In a public statement, Hofstra President Susan Poser expressed gratitude for the court’s ruling. Poser highlighted the importance of public participation in decision-making and conveyed eagerness to contribute to the planning process while ensuring the community is protected from potential environmental risks.

The legal setback for the casino project comes just days after Mets owner Steve Cohen unveiled an $8 billion casino plan near Citi Field, intensifying the competition among gaming operators for coveted state licenses in the New York City metropolitan area, including Long Island.

Las Vegas Sands Stays Committed Amidst Legal Scrutiny of Nassau Casino Development

The judge specifically cited violations of both the Open Meetings Law and the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) in approving the lease transfer. 

While Nassau County has not issued an official statement in response to the court’s decision, Las Vegas Sands Corporation remains undeterred. In a statement, the company conveyed its dedication to the Nassau Hub project, asserting that Las Vegas Sands is moving forward with their proposal for an integrated resort and entertainment center at the Nassau Hub with pride and enthusiasm.

Judge Kapoor’s ruling orders Nassau County to conduct a comprehensive environmental review of the proposed casino development, emphasizing the failure of the county legislature to take a “hard look” at the Sands casino project beyond the technicalities of the lease transfer.Las Vegas Sands

revealed plans for the significant entertainment, hospitality, and casino complex on the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum site in Nassau County, western Long Island, New York back in January.

The multi-billion-dollar project, covering up to 80 acres, aims to offer a diverse range of amenities, including hotels, outdoor spaces, live performance venues, and celebrity chef restaurants. The company, committed to fostering economic growth and job creation, anticipates the resort to generate substantial tax revenue and provide new career opportunities for residents, emphasizing its transformative impact on the community.

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The murder of a young woman has shocked the Philippines. Rizia Mae Pardillo Ycot, 24, was serving her shift as a Small-Time Lotteries (STL) vendor in the city of Cotabato City when she got shot in the head by a heinous criminal. The suspects are the criminal gangs running illegal lottery operations.

STLs are legal lottery booths that offer forms of legal lottery gaming to local customers. Unfortunately, local gangs believe STLs are undermining their illegal gambling operations and have come to detest the booths.

The pressure on STL vendors is, sadly, nothing new. Many people working in the sector have reported having been threatened by gangs on countless occasions. Locals are almost certain that Ycot was shot by a gang member as her assailant did not steal anything. The crime was likely meant to scare other STLs into giving up on their business.

While the local gangs have previously refrained from murdering STL vendors to prove a point, it seems that illegal operators in the Philippines are now ready to do anything if that will keep them in power.

Halting Lotteries Will Allow the Police to Investigate

Now, several weeks after Ycot’s murder, Bruce Matabalao, mayor of Cotabato City, has ordered the temporary shutdown of all lotteries in the city. In the wake of the recent killing, city officials are concerned about the well-being of STL vendors.

The decision to halt STL operations in the city comes as Querubin Manalang, director of the city police, asked Matabalao to take action. Matabalao thus ordered the arrest of anyone selling any type of lottery, regardless if they were authorized to do so or not.

Lotteries will remain shut down until officials form a plan to tackle the issue and investigate Ycot’s murder. Manalang, who proposed the measure, said that the temporary stopping of operations will provide his team with the time it needs to do its job.

Other Recent Developments

In other news, the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) sector recently became the object of public criticism. According to a survey, the majority of Filipinos believe that POGOs are harmful to society and the economy and encourage a sinful lifestyle.

In the meantime, the PAGCOR, a body that regulates gambling in the country, just terminated its contract with an allegedly fraudulent auditing firm. As it turned out, the company, Global ComRCI, had provided fake documents during its application for becoming PAGCOR’s third-party auditor.

The regulator will audit POGOs by itself until it finds a new partner.

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