Wide debate in Ways and Means as delegates, industry and unions spar over House Bill 17 to legalize iGaming

The House Ways and Means Committee heard extended testimony and questions on House Bill 17 on Feb. 10, a broad proposal from Chair Vanessa Atterberry to legalize internet casino gaming (iGaming) in Maryland and establish licensing, taxation and consumer‑protection rules.

Atterberry opened the presentation by describing the bill’s goals as capturing an existing illegal online market she estimated at “operating to the tune of $7,000,000,000, annually,” and creating a regulated market with diversity and responsible‑gaming safeguards. “I didn't put this bill in because I gamble. I do not gamble,” she said, explaining the bill’s revenue, diversity and consumer‑protection provisions.

Key bill features described by Atterberry and subsequent witnesses

- Licensing and fees: license fee set at $1,000,000 with payment plans available; renewals every five years with a renewal payment of 1% of revenue for the preceding three years. Casinos by right could receive one license and in limited circumstances up to three licenses, with additional competitively awarded licenses available if any remain. - Taxes and distributions: a tiered tax structure discussed in committee materials (Atterberry cited a 55% headline rate and 20% for live dealer games in bill text commentary). The bill hard‑codes funding allocations to address potential cannibalization including a $10,000,000 employee displacement fund, a percentage for local jurisdictions (1% cited in testimony), 1% for the Lottery/Commission administrative costs and 1% to a problem‑gaming fund; remaining revenues were described as dedicated to the Blueprint for Maryland’s…