Maryland legislature passes detail-free sports betting bill

Maryland’s sports betting bill has been approved by legislators, although not before removing all details of who will actually get to offer bets to state residents.

On Wednesday, the final day of the Maryland General Assembly’s current session, the state Senate unanimously approved the SB4 betting bill that was extensively revised by the House of Delegates and approved by a vote of 129-3 on Tuesday night.

Unlike earlier versions of SB4, the revised bill contains no details on who will be allowed to operate a Maryland sportsbook. Previous versions would have allowed sportsbooks at the state’s six casinos, two racetracks, the State Fairgrounds in Timonium and a new stadium proposed by the owner of the NFL’s Washington Redskins, as well as statewide digital wagering.

The Baltimore Sun quoted Del. Nick Mosby saying the operator specifics were expunged over concerns that the bill as written would have “compounded the concentration of wealth” by awarding betting licenses only to “individuals who are already seated around the table.” Putting a finer point on the matter, Mosby said these individuals were largely comprised of ‘rich white men.’