Maryland lawmakers have made amendments to a recently proposed legislation that would legalise online casinos in the state, including prohibiting the use of credit cards.
Introduced last month, House Bill 1319 proposes the authorisation of igaming in the Old Line State, regulated by the Maryland State Lottery & Gaming Control Commission.
Through the amendments to the bill via the Maryland House Ways & Means Committee earlier this week, up to 30 wagering licences could be issued, lasting for five years with an initial $1m application fee per skin – which can be paid in instalments – and a renewal fee of one per cent of an operator’s average annual gross proceeds from the last three years.
Three different types of licences would be available for operators through HB 1319 – licences by right for brick-and-mortar casinos, Class B wagering facility licences and competitively-awarded licenses. The state’s retail casinos can have up to three licences.
Additional amendments to HB 1319 include a ban on credit cards for igaming, as well as a measure to provide a counsellor, previously an opt-in service, to individuals who enter the state’s voluntary self-exclusion service.
VLT and digital games revenue would still be taxed at 55 per cent, while live dealer revenue would be taxed at 20 per cent.
Maryland isn’t the only state that has recently proposed prohibiting the use of credit cards for gambling, as lawmakers in Pennsylvania are looking to introduce legislation that would ban the use of credit cards for sports betting, daily fantasy contests, ilottery and online casino.
Maryland lawmakers are scheduled to discuss HB1319 in the House of Representatives later today.
