Gaming - Campaign Financing Contributions and Study on Independent Evaluation of Sports Wagering
Summary
HB1612 makes two main changes related to Maryland sports wagering and gaming policy. First, it changes existing law so that a sports wagering licensee or operator that advertises in Maryland must, rather than merely may, contract with an independent evaluator licensed by the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission to review and rate sports wagering content, including content tied to sports wagering experts, influencers, and content partners. Second, it requires the State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency to study and report by January 1, 2027 on the number of licensed independent evaluators, how often they are used in Maryland and other states, and whether other states require similar independent evaluation of sports wagering content.
Impact
The bill amends State Government Article § 9-1E-17(d) to make independent evaluation of sports wagering advertising mandatory for covered licensees and operators, but only if the Commission has issued licenses to at least three independent evaluators. It also repeals Election Law § 13-237, which had barred applicants for and holders of video lottery operation licenses, and persons with interests in video lottery facilities, from making contributions to certain campaign finance entities. As a result, the bill narrows the existing campaign-finance restriction tied to video lottery interests and adds a new regulatory requirement for sports wagering advertising oversight, while also directing a statewide study that could inform future policy.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests broad support for the bill, with the House passing it 125-2 on third reading. No committee transcript excerpts were provided, but the favorable committee report and strong floor vote indicate the measure was generally viewed positively. The bill’s structure also suggests a policy compromise: it pairs a stricter advertising oversight requirement with a repeal of an older campaign contribution restriction affecting video lottery interests.
Contention
The most notable policy tension is between gaming-industry regulation and political participation rules. Repealing the prohibition on campaign contributions by video lottery applicants, licensees, and facility owners may be seen as easing restrictions on gaming interests, while the new mandatory independent-evaluator requirement imposes additional compliance obligations on sports wagering businesses. Another point of potential concern is the contingency clause: the new advertising rule does not take effect unless at least three independent evaluators are licensed, which could affect implementation timing and availability of qualified evaluators.