A pair of Maryland sports betting bills failed to to the opposite chamber on Monday, the state’s crossover deadline. The bills could still theoretically move forward, but their failure to move on crossover day suggests they’re not a priority for legislators this session.
One bill, sports betting operators have their content audited by third-party independent evaluators. The state currently has that system in place on an optional basis, but operators aren’t mandated to undergo content audits.
A recent hearing for the bill featured critical questioning of its merit, and it didn’t out of the House on Monday.
Bill aimed at college students also appears to stall 46674o
Another bill, House Bill 1087, would prohibit betting on in-state college campuses. The bill was inspired by recent national news coverage of sports gambling and aims to curtail wagering among college students.
It’s possible, however, that much of the wagering among Maryland students occurs through sports betting apps at off-campus establishments like apartments, restaurants and bars. It’s unclear how, if at all, the bill would impact that betting.
Maryland’s legislative session runs through April 8. There’s an off chance the bills could be resurrected during the next few weeks, but in all likelihood, the failure to move on crossover day signals the end for both bills.
