So, it was widely assumed that another referendum would be needed whenever Maryland lawmakers considered the time right for the state’s gaming industry to offer sports wagering. That’s the way it worked in 2012, when voters green-lighted table games and a sixth Maryland casino, which turned out to be the MGM National Harbor in Prince George’s County. That’s the way it worked in 2008 when voters gave a thumbs up to slots and electronic gaming, and Maryland’s casino industry was born. Maryland’s state constitution requires that a major expansion of commercial gaming must be decided by the voters in a statewide referendum. Maryland’s lawmakers are contemplating a legislative scheme that would amount to an end-run around the state’s constitution to “fast track” sports gambling. Supreme Court decision which allowed those states to add sports gambling to their portfolio of wagering options - the Maryland legislature is now in fire drill mode. Potential action by the Maryland General Assembly in the current legislative regarding sports wagering is, frankly, amusing.Īfter previously failing to do what some other states had done in a prudent way - craft effective legislation that anticipated a U.S.
