Sponsors seek bill to let small retail sportsbooks accept partner rewards programs

Delegate Delia Cris Fair introduced House Bill 1134 on March 4 to clarify that Class B retail sports wagering licensees (stand‑alone retail sportsbooks located outside casinos and racetracks) may operate and advertise rewards programs in partnership with Class A operators. The question arose after guidance from the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency that, in the agency’s reading, limited cross‑use of operator rewards programs in retail Class B locations.

Fair said the bill is a narrowly tailored clarification and urged the committee to consider the equity implications: many Class B operators are small businesses, often minority‑ or woman‑owned, that lack the marketing budgets and technology platforms of large casino operators. Supporting witnesses included Elise Cohen, owner of Long Shots, who said Class B locations face sharply lower retail handle and often lack operating partners; Sarah Price of the Maryland Retailers Alliance said the restriction disadvantages small operators located outside urban casino markets.

Proponents framed the bill as allowing familiar loyalty programs to be used at partnered retail locations — analogous to national franchise models in other industries — while preserving regulatory limits on gaming infrastructure. Supporters emphasized the bill does not authorize mobile deposit or transfer services (which remain restricted), but would let partners use unified promotional and rewards systems to attract in‑person customers.

No committee action was taken at the hearing; witnesses asked the agency and legislators for a favorable report to help small retail sportsbook owners remain competitive.