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Lottery, casino and sports betting revenues shift funding flows; agency seeks approval of FY26 budget
Summary
Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency reported mostly flat gaming revenues for FY24 but a rise in sports wagering; the agency requested approval of a FY26 budget that reflects vendor and monitoring contract cost pressures and continued emphasis on responsible gaming.
The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency told the Education and Economic Development Subcommittee that lottery and casino revenues were mostly flat in fiscal 2024 while sports‑wagering receipts grew, and the agency asked lawmakers to concur with its fiscal 2026 budget allowance.
Elizabeth Bridal, the DLS analyst who presented the review, said the FY26 allowance increases about $9 million, largely from vendor and monitoring contract cost increases and personnel costs. About 42% of the Lottery’s budget covers central monitoring and control contracts (ticket printing, instant ticket management, and casino monitoring), roughly 31% funds personnel, and about 15% is for advertising.
Agency Director John Martin said the Lottery and Gaming Control Agency contributed nearly $1.6 billion to state purposes in FY24 when combining lottery, casino, and sports wagering distributions. He told the committee lottery sales contributed nearly $700 million and casinos generated $824 million in FY24. Sports wagering revenues increased year over year and state receipts from wagering are allocated by statute to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future fund; Martin said sports wagering contributions were on pace to grow significantly in FY25.
The agency noted that some BRFAA proposals would alter gaming tax rates (DLS mentioned proposals to change table games and sports betting tax rates in the BRFAA), though those proposals do not directly alter the agency’s internal budget. Martin also highlighted the agency’s work on responsible gaming: the agency submitted a certification application at the sustaining level to industry peers and the National Council on Problem Gambling and continues to collaborate with the University of Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling.
Why it matters: Lottery, casino and sports betting revenues fund education and other state priorities; changes in game sales and new revenue streams affect the balance of those distributions. The agency asked the subcommittee to approve its FY26 allowance and to consider broader revenue proposals in the BRFAA discussions. No budgetary vote was taken during the hearing.
The agency and DLS recommended concurrence with the governor’s allowance for FY26; committee members asked about revenue trends and vendor costs during the presentation.
