A busy week for US online gambling legislation has included setbacks for iGaming measures in two eastern states, Maryland and New York, involving pushback from the bills' opponents and, at least in Maryland, a lack of united support from prospective industry stakeholders that mirrors what happened with similar legislation in 2024.
In Maryland, where a House measure that failed last year was re-introduced last month, two hearings have been held of late, with little progress to show. As in 2024, the current measure is opposed in its present form by the parent entities of two of the state's land-based casinos, Cordish Companies (Maryland LIVE!) and Penn Entertainment (Hollywood Casino Perryville).
Both casino companies have reiterated their belief that iGaming will cannibalize their live casino operations, although a Penn representative told the House committee considering the legislation that it would support HB 17 if online licenses were limited to only the six full-service casinos in the state. That would exclude eight other pari-mutuel facilities in Maryland that offer some gambling and are seeking a share of any potential New York iGaming market.
As a result, nothing more will happen regarding HB 17 until April, when it will be eligible to be reconsidered.
New NY Assembly committee chair lukewarm to iGaming
In New York, where online gambling supporter State Sen. Gary Pretlow recently introduced an updated bill, opposition may lurk elsewhere. To become law, a bill must pass parallel legislative paths in both the Senate and Assembly, and then be signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul.
The Assembly's Racing and Wagering Committee has a new chairwoman for 2025 in Rep. Carrie Woerner, who will control early Assembly movement on Pretlow's bill. In an interview with New York's City & State, Woerner said this about online gambling: "I think in the Assembly we’ll be taking a look at it, but I would not think that we’re ready to take that step yet. There’s a lot to look at. I know it’s out there and under consideration and I’ll certainly take a hard look at it. We’ll see."
The tepid response may have partial motivation. Woerner's district is home to both the Saratoga Casino Hotel and the Saratoga Race Course, a giant in the horseracing industry. Eligible for an iGaming license or not, the Saratoga complex is likely to be among the least likely industry supporters for an expansion into casino-style online gambling.
There's a chance that pressure from multiple channels could force an iGaming measure forward, but that pressure would likely have to include support from Gov. Hochul for fiscal reasons. In 2024, however, Hochul omitted any mention of iGaming from her proposed fiscal budget for 2025.
