Maryland Senator Joanne C. Benson has introduced a bill, SB 1033, seeking to repeal online sports betting in the state. If passed, online sports betting will cease in Maryland on Jan. 1, 2026. This move comes as a surprise since online sports betting has contributed $143,274,277 to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund, which supports public education in the state. Gov. Wes Moore has also proposed a 100% increase in Maryland’s sports betting tax rate to help bridge the state’s nearly $3 billion budget deficit.
This bill marks the second state in the last month to consider repealing sports betting, with Vermont lawmakers also introducing a bill to repeal sports betting in their state. Vermont launched sports betting in January 2024, with operators like DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanatics Sportsbook currently in operation.
Lawmakers in both Maryland and Vermont are facing backlash for potentially erasing millions in tax revenues generated from sports betting. However, the bills have yet to pass through the legislative process in both states.
The bill introduced by Sen. Benson in Maryland and the bill introduced by Vermont Representatives Headrick, Mrowicki, and Stevens signal a potential shift in the legalization of sports betting in these states. It remains to be seen how lawmakers and residents will respond to these bills as they move through the legislative process.
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