Maryland Sen. Ron Watson announced his decision not to introduce a bill for online casino legalization in 2025. Despite Maryland’s proximity to passing such legislation in 2024, Watson emphasized the necessity of allowing more time for deliberation before revisiting the issue.

Sen. Watson Advocates for Patient Approach to Maryland Online Casino Legalization

Sen. Watson explained to PlayUSA that he could potentially introduce the bill the following year, but he pointed out that it would not progress until 2026. He also noted that even if they managed to pass the bill, its implementation would not occur. He underlined the importance of thorough consideration to ensure the successful integration of online casino gaming into Maryland’s economic landscape.

The recent legislative session in Maryland concluded without decisive action on online casinos, with the Senate opting not to pursue the matter further. The House, however, signaled its support by including internet gaming in its budget proposal, indicative of differing perspectives within the state legislature.

Watson’s decision not to file a bill in 2025 stems from a desire to avoid prolonging the debate unnecessarily. He remarked that they had conducted their due diligence and comprehended the revenues and challenges involved. He added that they will allow it to mature, aiming to present a more robust bill when it is reintroduced in the future.

Maryland Legislators Contemplate Pause on Online Casino Legislation Until 2026

Despite Watson’s stance, there remains the possibility of other lawmakers, such as Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary, introducing online casino legislation in the upcoming session. Nevertheless, Maryland appears poised to take a hiatus from the contentious issue, with a view to resuming discussions in 2026.

The proposal for online casino legalization in Maryland has encountered various obstacles, including concerns over potential impacts on problem gambling and existing brick-and-mortar casinos. Watson remains optimistic, however, asserting that with time and data, these concerns may diminish.

Watson emphasized the importance of not lagging behind in iGaming. He stressed that Maryland must be proactive if it intends to maintain and enhance current industry revenues. He highlighted the necessity for Maryland to adjust to changing trends in the gaming sector to stay competitive.

In the interim, Watson plans to collaborate with colleagues to address lingering apprehensions and refine the proposed legislation. With an eye toward the future, he remains confident in the eventual legalization of online casinos in Maryland.

As the debate unfolds, the trajectory of online casino legislation in Maryland reflects the complex interplay between economic opportunity, regulatory oversight, and public welfare. While the issue remains tabled for now, its resurgence in 2026 may herald a new chapter in Maryland’s gaming landscape.

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In a move to address the escalating property tax concerns of older constituents, Utah Representative Kera Birkeland is championing a proposed constitutional amendment that would legalize the state’s first-ever lottery. 

Rep. Birkeland’s Lottery Proposal Could Boost Utah’s Finances by $200M

Rep. Birkeland contends that legalizing the lottery could inject up to $200 million into Utah’s coffers, money currently flowing across state lines as residents travel to neighboring states like Idaho, Wyoming, and Arizona to purchase lottery tickets. The proposal aims to redirect these funds to alleviate the financial strain on seniors facing rising property taxes, reported KSL.

The lawmaker’s initiative sparks a broader conversation about the intersection of gambling practices, fiscal policies, and the unique challenges posed by Utah’s comprehensive ban on all forms of gambling. Utah and Hawaii are the only states where any game of chance is strictly prohibited.

Birkeland argues that the prohibition on gambling has deprived the state of a significant revenue stream. She emphasizes the real-world impact on seniors, sharing stories of constituents forced to sell their homes due to soaring property tax bills.

While the full details of the bill are yet to be unveiled, Birkeland is considering including a stipulation that mandates tax revenue from lottery sales be dedicated to offsetting the tax burden on older adults with fixed incomes. 

The proposal faces a significant hurdle, as a constitutional amendment requires the support of two-thirds of lawmakers in both chambers and approval by a majority of voters in the upcoming general election.

Gov. Cox Challenges Lotteries, Deems Them Harmful

Gov. Spencer Cox, despite not possessing the authority to veto constitutional amendments, conveyed his opposition in a recent news conference, asserting that he believes lotteries and gambling, in general, function as taxes on individuals who struggle with mathematics, causing more harm than good.

Despite the challenges and opposition, Birkeland is determined to push the bill forward, emphasizing the need to address the primary concern of her constituents regarding property taxes. 

Birkeland recognizes the challenging nature of the endeavor but maintains her determination, asserting that she has introduced several bills attempting to limit property taxes and decrease government spending, yet none of them has gained traction.

The proposal reignites the ongoing debate on gambling laws in Utah, with past endeavors facing significant resistance. Birkeland’s initiative signals a potential shift in the state’s stance on gambling, setting the stage for a contentious legislative session.

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This comes as welcome news to Raj Grewal who faced mounting scrutiny over the past year over his alleged involvement in lobbying for businessmen in front of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Grewal was also accused of helping with immigration application proceedings in exchange for loans.

Gambling Habits That Do Not Suggest Abuse of Power

None of these charges held up in court. The only part that is true, though, is Grewal’s proclivity for gambling to great lengths. He reportedly spent considerable sums, running in the millions of dollars, at the Casino du Lac-Leamy over the period of several years from 2015 through 2018, court documents state.

Because of his gambling habits, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police launched an investigation into his gambling habits and the source of his money. While the investigation did not prove any wrongdoing beyond a reasonable doubt, Grewal stepped down from his party post and did not go up for reelection in 2019.

Justice Sylvia Corthorn of Ontario did not find any evidence to suggest that Grewal had in any way abused his power to secure loans and sustain his gambling habit. In fact, Corthorn dismissed the case outright and did not find it necessary for the defense to deliver its arguments.

Should shove came to push, though, Grewal’s lawyer, Nader Hasan, would have simply stated that the loans were given by members of the local Sikh community, which Grewal has been a long-time member of.

Police Did Not Bother to Investigate, Says Lawyer

Hasan called the entire case based on flimsy evidence, but more importantly on a grave cultural misunderstanding. Essentially, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police misconstrued the relationships between Grewal and his fellow community members and sought to find evidence of wrongdoing where there was essentially none.

Hasan insisted that the police could have saved the Crown and itself considerable resources if it had gone to Grewal directly and collected evidence, or looked into the ties between him and his benefactors. The lawyer insisted that at no point did the police approach his client and demand a straightforward explanation of the loans.

They simply jumped to the conclusion that Grewal had abused power, which has now cost him his political career.

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Texas legislators are on the move to bring casino gambling to the Lone Star state. Before this year’s legislative session even started, state Sen. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, filed a bill on casino legislation that was supported by Las Vegas Sands in 2021.

The tide has turned somewhat and a new strategy that would moot the Alvarado bill has been introduced by a highly influential Republican representative from the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

State Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth, filed a proposal on Friday (House Joint Resolution 97). The current strategy seeks to amend the state constitution to allow voters to make the decision on expanded gambling in November. A total of seven destination casino resorts could be authorized if the bill passes and is signed by the governor. Public opinion is overwhelmingly in favor of allowing casinos in the state.

Jobs and Economic Shot in the Arm for North Texas

Political and business leaders have advocated for casino gambling in North Texas for several years in order to bring jobs, increase tourism, and to reap other economic benefits.

Las Vegas Sands and other gambling operators have employed hordes of lobbyists and have spent millions of dollars to promote the legalization of Las Vegas-style casino gambling. There are currently three Native American Tribes with gambling houses in the state using “video bingo” machines that look and act like regular random number generator-powered slots. The largest operation is near the Mexican border in Eagles Pass.

The Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino holds over 3,000 of the machines. Another small operation is located in Livingston, Naskila Entertainment. The third is the on-again-off-again Speaking Rock Entertainment Center in El Paso.

Geren said in a prepared statement: “Polling over the last year makes it clear that more than 85% of Texans want the right to vote on this issue, republicans and democrats alike.

“It is high time that the legislature listens to the voters and allow them to decide this issue. I, for one, am not in the business of denying the voters of Texas their voice when their preference is so clear.”

A stampede of legislation in other states legalizing online sports betting and casinos has left Texas in the dust, and neighboring states like Arkansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma already allow some forms of gambling leaving Texans to travel out of state or to the southern border in order to gamble. The revenues are not captured by the state under current law.

Sports betting was once considered illegal in all states except Nevada as no other states “grandfathered” in their right to offer it. However, in 2018 the Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1991 opening the floodgates for legalized sports betting. There are currently 36 states that allow the activity with Oklahoma planning to join the pack this year.

Seven Destination Casinos Would be Allowed

The Geren bill would authorize two casinos in the Dallas-Ft. Worth, and two in the Houston area. One would be allowed in San Antonio, one in McAllen, and another in Corpus Christi. In the bill, it was stated that those locations promise the “greatest positive economic impact from destination resort development.”

Geren imagines the properties to become more than simply casinos, but “tourism amenities and facilities, including hotels, restaurants, meeting facilities, attractions, entertainment facilities, and shopping centers,” the bill said.

The bill would allow some of the Texas race tracks to use their current pari-mutuel licenses to open destination casinos.

While in the past, gambling proponents have advocated for casino gambling to increase state revenues, in 2023 lawmakers will be busy figuring out what to do with a more than $30b budget surplus.

The bill, as written would impose a 15% gross gambling tax on the casinos.

Just before Christmas, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said he would be open to moving his team to the Dallas area when the current long-term lease expires in 8 years and a new casino with an arena for basketball and hockey should be part of a new casino resort. Cuban told The Dallas Morning News, “My goal, and we’d partner with Las Vegas Sands, is when we build a new arena, it’ll be in the middle of a resort and casino. That’s the mission.”

Source: Gambling proponents have a new plan to ask Texas voters to legalize casinos, San Antonio Current, February 3, 2023

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