Maryland Voters Strongly Oppose Online Casino Expansion

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Maryland Voters Strongly Oppose Online Casino Expansion

Maryland voters are pushing back sharply against a push to expand iGaming in their state, according to a new survey. 

A recent poll shows 71 % of Marylanders oppose online casino expansion, raising serious questions about the political feasibility of passing a real money online casino law in the near future. 

Why Maryland Voters Are Against Online Casino Expansion

The Lake Research Partners poll, commissioned by the National Association Against iGaming (NAAiG), gauged the opinions of 650 registered Maryland voters from September 15-18, 2025. 

After voters were given a description of iGaming – “24-hour access to casino games on mobile devices” – opposition surged. Only 17 % of respondents viewed online casinos favorably, while nearly half said they had never heard of the idea. 

Critics worry that allowing a real money online casino industry would harm families, expose minors to gambling, and canonicalize revenues at brick-and-mortar casinos. 

In fact, a 2024 report prepared for the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission forecast that legal iGaming might drive a 10 % decline in land-based casino revenue.

Despite the poll, lawmakers pushing for iGaming expansion face mounting resistance from constituents and interest groups alike. 

Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary and Senator Ron Watson have sponsored bills in the past two sessions, but both efforts stalled – often meeting strong testifier opposition, especially from unions and casino operators. Atterbeary’s 2024 bill passed the House but died in the Senate. 

Lawmakers now find themselves in a bind: push the issue forward and risk voter backlash, or shelve the measure amid growing public resistance.

Possible Directions for Online Casinos in Maryland

Given the strong polling, proponents may shift strategies. One option is to frame iGaming as a regulated complement to physical casinos, rather than a replacement. They might push more modest bills that limit market size or include strong consumer protections. Alternatively, supporters could double down on public education campaigns designed to soften skepticism. 

Another possibility is delaying any vote until after the public becomes more familiar with digital gambling. Any iGaming legalization would likely require a public referendum in November 2026 – meaning the same voters who oppose it now would have the final say. 

If expansion does succeed, convenience-oriented operators may target hybrid models that tie real money online casino access to existing land casinos. Some may adopt geofencing, strict age verification, and self-exclusion features to ease public concerns.

Until then, the future of a real money online casino framework in Maryland remains uncertain.

Maryland players should meanwhile check out our curated list of online casinos and online sportsbooks to explore trustworthy options available today.