Gaming - Problem Gambling and College Athlete Protections

EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
amendment.
*hb0518*

HOUSE BILL 518
C7 6lr2142
HB 465/25 – W&M
By: Delegates Palakovich Carr, Allen, Ebersole, Feldmark, Miller, Mireku–North,
and Young Young, Hornberger, Pasteur, Patterson, Wilkins, and Wims
Introduced and read first time: January 27, 2026
Assigned to: Ways and Means
Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
House action: Adopted
Read second time: March 4, 2026

CHAPTER ______

AN ACT concerning 1

Gaming – Problem Gambling and College Athlete Protections 2

FOR the purpose of requiring the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission to adopt 3
certain regulations to reduce or mitigate the effects of problem gambling; requiring 4
the regulations to establish a voluntary exclusion list; requiring the Commission to 5
provide contact information of certain individuals to the Maryland Center for 6
Excellence on Problem Gambling under certain circumstances; prohibiting certain 7
individuals under a certain age from participating in fantasy competitions and 8
prohibiting a fantasy competition operator from offering certain fantasy 9
competitions or services to certain individuals under a certain age; prohibiting an 10
individual from wagering on and prohibiting a sports wagering licensee from offering 11
or accepting a wager on certain player –specific proposition bets; requiring a sports 12
wagering licensee to provide certain transactional and metrics data to certain 13
universities for certain purposes; and generally relating to problem gambling 14
protections and player–specific proposition wagers. 15

BY adding to 16
Article – State Government 17
Section 9–109(d), 9–1E–04(b)(7) and (8) and (d), 9–1E–09(f), 9–1E–11(f), (g), and (h), 18
and 9–1E–18 19
Annotated Code of Maryland 20
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 21

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 22
2 HOUSE BILL 518

Article – State Government 1
Section 9–1A–24(e), 9–1D–02, 9–1D–05, 9–1E–04(b)(6)(xiii) and (7), and 9–1E–11(b) 2
Annotated Code of Maryland 3
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 4

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 5
Article – State Government 6
Section 9–1E–11(a)(7) 7
Annotated Code of Maryland 8
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 9

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 10
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 11

Article – State Government 12

9–109. 13

(D) (1) THE COMMISSION SHALL ADOP T REGULATIONS THAT A RE 14
INTENDED TO REDUCE OR MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF PROBLEM GAMBLING. 15

(2) THE REGULATIONS SHALL: 16

(I) ESTABLISH A VOLUNTARY EXCLUSION LIST OF INDIVIDUALS 17
WITH GAMBLING PROBLE MS WHO HAVE REQUESTE D TO BE EXCLUDED FRO M THE 18
STATE LOTTERY, A GAME, OR A FACILITY THAT OFFERS A GAME AUTHORIZED UNDER 19
THIS SUBTITLE; AND 20

(II) PROVIDE A SIMPLE MECHANISM FOR AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS 21
SOBER AND INFORMED T O REQUEST PLACEMENT ON THE VOLUNTARY EXC LUSION 22
LIST FOR A SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME. 23

(3) (I) SUBJECT TO SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF THIS PARAGRAPH, ON 24
ACCEPTANCE OF AN INDIVIDUAL’S APPLICATION TO BE PLACED ON THE VOLUNTARY 25
EXCLUSION LIST, THE COMMISSION SHALL PROV IDE THE CONTACT INFO RMATION 26
OF THE INDIVIDUAL TO THE MARYLAND CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE ON PROBLEM 27
GAMBLING FOR THE PURP OSE OF PROVIDING THE INDIVIDUAL INFORMATI ON 28
ABOUT FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING ASSISTANCE. 29

(II) IF AN INDIVIDUAL AFFIRMATIVELY DECLINES TO HAVE THE 30
INDIVIDUAL’S CONTACT INFORMATION PROVIDED TO THE MARYLAND CENTER FOR 31
EXCELLENCE ON PROBLEM GAMBLING, THE COMMISSION MAY NOT PR OVIDE THE 32
CONTACT INFORMATION TO THE CENTER. 33

9–1A–24. 34
HOUSE BILL 518 3

(e) (1) By regulation, the Commission shall adopt measures that are intended 1
to reduce or mitigate the effects of problem gambling. 2

(2) (I) The regulations shall: 3

[(i)] 1. [include establishment of ] ESTABLISH a voluntary 4
exclusion list of individuals with g ambling problems who have requested to be excluded 5
from any video lottery operation licensed under this subtitle; and 6

[(ii)] 2. provide a simple mechanism for an individual who is sober 7
and informed to request placement on the voluntary exclusion list for a specified period of 8
time. 9

(II) 1. SUBJECT TO SUBSUBPARA GRAPH 2 OF THIS 10
SUBPARAGRAPH, ON ACCEPTANCE OF AN INDIVIDUAL’S APPLICATION TO BE PLACED 11
ON THE VOLUNTARY EXC LUSION LIST , THE COMMISSION SHALL PROV IDE THE 12
CONTACT INFORMATION OF THE INDIVIDUAL TO THE MARYLAND CENTER FOR 13
EXCELLENCE ON PROBLEM GAMBLING FOR THE PURP OSE OF PROVIDING THE 14
INDIVIDUAL INFORMATI ON ABOUT FREE AND CO NFIDENTIAL RESPONSIB LE 15
GAMBLING ASSISTANCE. 16

2. IF AN INDIVIDUAL AFFI RMATIVELY DECLINES T O 17
HAVE THE INDIVIDUAL ’S CONTACT INFORMATION PROVIDED TO THE MARYLAND 18
CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE ON PROBLEM GAMBLING, THE COMMISSION MAY NOT 19
PROVIDE THE CONTACT INFORMATION TO THE CENTER. 20

(3) A video lottery operation licensee may not permit an individual on the 21
voluntary exclusion list to enter into the video lottery facility or to play a video lottery 22
terminal. 23

(4) The Commission may impose sanctions on a licensee in accordance with 24
this subtitle if the licensee knowingly fails to exclude from the premises of the licensee an 25
individual on the voluntary exclusion list. 26

9–1D–02. 27

(a) (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of Title 12 of the Criminal Law Article 28
or any other title, and except as provided under [subsection (b) of this section] PARAGRAPH 29
(2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , the prohibitions against betting, wagering, and gambling do 30
not apply to participation in a fantasy competition. 31

[(b)] (2) A person may not operate a kiosk or machine that offers fantasy 32
competition to the public in a place of business physically located in the State. 33

4 HOUSE BILL 518

(B) (1) THIS SUBSECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS AT 1
LEAST 18 YEARS OLD AND UNDER THE AGE OF 21 YEARS WHO CREATED A FANTASY 2
COMPETITION ACCOUNT WITH A REGISTERED FA NTASY COMPETITION OP ERATOR 3
BEFORE JULY 1, 2026. 4

(2) AN INDIVIDU AL UNDER THE AGE OF 21 YEARS MAY NOT 5
PARTICIPATE IN A FANTASY COMPETITION. 6

(3) A FANTASY COMPETITION OPERATOR MAY NOT OFFER A FANTASY 7
COMPETITION OR SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH A FANTASY COMPETITION TO AN 8
INDIVIDUAL WHO IS UNDER THE AGE OF 21 YEARS. 9

9–1D–05. 10

(a) The Commission shall adopt regulations THAT ESTABLISH: 11

(1) (I) A VOLUNTARY EXCLUSIO N LIST OF INDIVIDUAL S WITH 12
GAMBLING PROBLEMS WH O HAVE REQUESTED TO BE EXCLUDED FROM 13
PARTICIPATING IN ANY FANTASY COMPETITION AUTHORIZED UNDER THI S 14
SUBTITLE; AND 15

(II) A SIMPLE MECHANISM F OR AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS SOBER 16
AND INFORMED TO REQUEST PLACEMENT ON THE VOLUNTARY EXCLUSION LIST FOR 17
A SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME; AND 18

(2) ANY OTHER REGULATION NECESSARY to carry out the provisions of 19
this subtitle. 20

(b) (1) [The regulations adopted under this section may include requirements 21
for the establishment of a voluntary exclusion list] SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS 22
SUBSECTION, ON ACCEPTANCE OF AN INDIVIDUAL’S APPLICATION TO BE PLACED ON 23
THE VOLUNTARY EXCLUS ION LIST ESTABLISHED B Y REGULATION UNDER 24
SUBSECTION (A)(1)(I) OF THIS SECTION , THE COMMISSION SHALL PROV IDE THE 25
CONTACT INFORMATION OF THE INDIVIDUAL TO THE MARYLAND CENTER FOR 26
EXCELLENCE ON PROBLEM GAMBLING FOR THE PURP OSE OF PROVIDING THE 27
INDIVIDUAL INFORM ATION ABOUT FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL RESPONS IBLE 28
GAMBLING ASSISTANCE. 29

(2) IF AN INDIVIDUAL AFFI RMATIVELY DECLINES T O HAVE THE 30
INDIVIDUAL’S CONTACT INFORMATION PROVIDED TO THE MARYLAND CENTER FOR 31
EXCELLENCE ON PROBLEM GAMBLING, THE COMMISSION MAY NOT PR OVIDE THE 32
CONTACT INFORMATION TO THE CENTER. 33

9–1E–04. 34
HOUSE BILL 518 5

(b) In accordance with this subtitle, the Commission shall adopt regulations that 1
establish: 2

(6) standards, procedures, and rules that govern the conduct of sports 3
wagering, including: 4

(xiii) establishing a list of individuals who are to be mandatorily 5
excluded or ejected by a sports wagering licensee from any facility or website operated by a 6
sports wagering licensee; [and] 7

(7) A VOLUNTARY EXCLUSION LIST OF INDIVIDUALS WITH GAMBLING 8
PROBLEMS WHO HAVE REQUESTED T O BE EXCLUDED FROM P ARTICIPATING IN 9
SPORTS WAGERING AUTHORIZED UNDER THIS SUBTITLE; 10

(8) A SIMPLE MECHANISM F OR AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS SOBER AND 11
INFORMED TO REQUEST PLACEMENT ON THE VOL UNTARY EXCLUSION LIS T FOR A 12
SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME; AND 13

[(7)] (9) any other regulation necessary to carry out the provisions of this 14
subtitle. 15

(D) (1) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , ON 16
ACCEPTANCE OF AN INDIVIDUAL’S APPLICATION TO BE PLACED ON THE VOLUNTARY 17
EXCLUSION LIST ESTABLISHED BY REGULATION UNDER SUBSECTION (B)(7) OF THIS 18
SECTION, THE COMMISSION SHALL PROVIDE THE CONTACT INFO RMATION OF THE 19
INDIVIDUAL TO THE MARYLAND CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE ON PROBLEM 20
GAMBLING FOR THE PURP OSE OF PROVIDING THE INDIVIDUAL INFORMATI ON 21
ABOUT FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING ASSISTANCE. 22

(2) IF AN INDIVIDUAL AFFI RMATIVELY DECLINES T O HAVE THE 23
INDIVIDUAL’S CONTACT INFORMATION PROVIDED TO THE MARYLAND CENTER FOR 24
EXCELLENCE ON PROBLEM GAMBLING, THE COMMISSION MAY NOT PR OVIDE THE 25
CONTACT INFORMATION TO THE CENTER. 26

9–1E–09. 27

(F) (1) IN THIS SUBSECTION, “PROPOSITION BET” MEANS A WAGER ON AN 28
INDIVIDUAL ACTION , STATISTIC, OCCURRENCE, OR NONOCCURRENCE , WHETHER 29
RELATED TO AN INDIVI DUAL PLAYER OR TEAM , THE OUTCOME OF WHICH IS NOT 30
DIRECTLY CONNECTED T O THE FINAL OUTCOME OR FINAL SCORE OF A SPO RTING 31
EVENT. 32

6 HOUSE BILL 518

(2) (I) A SPORTS WAGERING LICE NSEE MAY NOT OFFER O R 1
ACCEPT A WAGER ON A PLAYER–SPECIFIC PROPOSITION BET ON A PARTICIPANT IN 2
A COLLEGIATE SPORTS OR ATHLETIC EVENT. 3

(II) AN INDIVIDUAL MAY NOT PLACE A WAGER ON A 4
PLAYER–SPECIFIC PROPOSITION BET ON A PARTICIPANT IN A COLLEGIATE SPORTS 5
OR ATHLETIC EVENT. 6

9–1E–11. 7

(a) An individual may not wager on a sporting event and a sports wagering 8
licensee may not accept a wager from an individual on a sporting event if the individual: 9

(7) is identified on a mandatory or voluntary sports wagering exclusion list 10
maintained by the Commission; 11

(b) For online sports wagering, a mobile sports wagering licensee shall: 12

(1) have in place technical and operation al measures to prevent access by 13
individuals who are underage or physically located outside the State, including: 14

(i) age verification procedures, which may require the use of a 15
reputable independent third party that is in the business of verifying an individual’s 16
personally identifiable information; [and] 17

(ii) AGE AND IDENTITY VER IFICATION PROCEDURES , THAT 18
REQUIRE THE VERIFICATION OF AN INDIVIDUAL’S AGE AND IDENTITY AT THE TIME 19
THE INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHES A SPORTS WAGERING ACCOUNT AND PERIODICALLY 20
REQUIRES REVERIFICATION OF THE INDIVIDUAL’S IDENTITY; AND 21

(III) the use of geolocation technology to verify a bettor’s geographic 22
location; 23

(2) include on its online sports wagering website a description of the 24
possible repercussions for an underage or out –of–state bettor, which may include 25
immediate stoppage of play, account closure, and forfeiture and confiscation of winnings; 26
[and] 27

(3) establish procedures to prevent prohibited individuals from wagering 28
on sporting events; 29

(4) CAUSE THE WORDS “IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW HAS A 30
GAMBLING PROBLEM AND WANTS HELP , CALL 1–800–GAMBLER” OR SOME 31
COMPARABLE LANGUAGE APPROVED BY THE COMMISSION TO BE DISP LAYED 32
HOUSE BILL 518 7

PROMINENTLY AT LOG –ON AND LOG –OFF TIMES TO ANY IND IVIDUAL VISITING OR 1
LOGGED ONTO AN ONLINE SPORTS WAGERING PLATFORM; 2

(5) REQUIRE AN ONLINE SP ORTS WAGERING ACCOUN T HOLDER TO 3
ESTABLISH A SELF–IMPOSED LIMIT ON THE AMOUNT OF MONEY DEPOSITED WITHIN 4
A SPECIFIED PERIOD O F TIME AND THE LENGT H OF TIME THE ACCOUN T HOLDER 5
WILL BE UNABLE TO PA RTICIPATE IN SPORTS W AGERING AND MAKE ADD ITIONAL 6
DEPOSITS IF THE ACCO UNT HOLDER REACHES T HE ESTABLISHED SELF –IMPOSED 7
DEPOSIT LIMIT; 8

(6) PROVIDE A MECHANISM BY WHICH AN ONLINE SPORTS WAGERING 9
ACCOUNT HOLDER MAY ESTABLISH A TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF ONLINE SPORTS 10
WAGERING ACTIVITY TH ROUGH THE ACCOUNT FO R ANY NUMBER OF HOUR S OR 11
DAYS; 12

(7) PROHIBIT THE USE OF CREDIT CARDS FOR ANY ONLINE SPORTS 13
WAGERING–RELATED TRANSACTIONS; AND 14

(8) (I) CAUSE THE DISPLAY OF A PROBLEM GAMBLING 15
DISCLOSURE CONCERNIN G THE RISK S ASSOCIATED WITH GA MBLING AND THE 16
SUPPORT AVAILABLE TO PROBLEM GAMBLERS AT ACCOUNT LOGIN; 17

(II) REQUIRE AN INDIVIDUA L TO CERTIFY THAT TH E 18
INDIVIDUAL HAS READ THE DISCLOSURE DESCRIBED UNDER ITEM (I) OF THIS ITEM 19
BEFORE ESTABLISHING AN ONLINE SPORTS WAGERING ACCOUNT; AND 20

(III) REQUIRE EACH USER TO CERTIFY ON A MONTHLY BASIS 21
THAT THE USER HAS RE AD THE DISCLOSURE DE SCRIBED UNDER ITEM (I) OF THIS 22
ITEM. 23

(F) IF A SUSPENSION OF SPORTS WAGERING ACTIVITY UNDER SUBSECTION 24
(B)(6) OF THIS SECTION IS I MPOSED BY THE ACCOUNT HOLDER F OR AT LEAST 72 25
HOURS, THE SPORTS WAGERING LICENSEE MAY NOT SEN D SPORTS 26
WAGERING–RELATED ELECTRONIC M AIL TO THE ACCOUNT H OLDER UNTIL THE 27
SUSPENSION EXPIRES. 28

(G) (1) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION, A 29
SPORTS WAG ERING LICENSEE SHALL PROVIDE A MECHANISM BY WHICH AN 30
ACCOUNT HOLDER MAY P ERIODICALLY CHANGE T HE CONTROLS ON SPORT S 31
WAGERING ACTIVITY IMPOSED BY THE ACCOUNT HOLDER UNDER THIS SECTION. 32

(2) IF THE ACCOUNT IS SUS PENDED BY THE ACCOUN T HOLDER 33
UNDER SUBSECTION (B)(6) OF THIS SECTION , THE ACCOUNT HOLDER M AY NOT 34
8 HOUSE BILL 518

CHANGE THE CONTROLS ON SPORTS WAGERING A CTIVITY UNTIL THE SU SPENSION 1
EXPIRES. 2

(3) IF AN INDIVIDUAL SEEK S TO INCREASE THE LI MIT ON THE 3
AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT THE INDIVIDUAL MAY DEPOSIT WITHIN A PERIOD OF TIME 4
SPECIFIED UNDER SUBS ECTION (B)(5) OF THIS SECTION , THE SPORTS WAGERING 5
LICENSEE MAY NOT REF LECT THE INCREASED L IMIT FOR AT LEAST 24 HOURS OR 6
UNTIL AFTER THE TIME PERIOD OF THE PREVIOUS LIMIT HAS EXPIRED, WHICHEVER 7
IS LATER. 8

(H) NOTWITHSTANDING A TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF SPORTS WAGERING 9
ACTIVITY IMPOSED BY AN ACCOUNT HOLDER UN DER SUBSECTION (B)(6) OF THIS 10
SECTION, THE ACCOUNT HOLDER MAY CONTINUE TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE ACCOUNT 11
AND IS AUTHO RIZED TO WITHDRAW FU NDS FROM THE ACCOUNT ON PROPER 12
APPLICATION TO THE SPORTS WAGERING LICENSEE. 13

9–1E–18. 14

(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION, “TRANSACTIONAL DATA AND METRICS” MEANS 15
DATA AND METRICS RELATING TO SPORTS WAGERING PARTICIPANTS IN THE STATE. 16

(2) “TRANSACTIONAL DATA AND METRICS” INCLUDES: 17

(I) ACCOUNT BANS AND SUSPENSIONS; 18

(II) COMPLAINTS BY SPORTS WAGERING PARTICIPANTS; 19

(III) THE AGES OF SPORTS WAGERING PARTICIPANTS; 20

(IV) THE GEOLOCATION OF SPORTS WAGERING PARTICIPANTS; 21

(V) TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE, THE USE OR UTILIZATION OF 22
RESPONSIBLE GAMING FEATURES BY SPORTS WAGERING PARTICIPANTS; AND 23

(VI) FINANCIAL INFORMATIO N OF SPORTS WAGERING 24
PARTICIPANTS IN THE STATE, INCLUDING: 25

1. BALANCE STATEMENTS; 26

2. BET LEVEL OR AMOUNTS; 27

3. BONUS USAGE; 28

HOUSE BILL 518 9

4. DEPOSITS; AND 1

5. WITHDRAWALS. 2

(B) (1) ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1 EACH YEAR, A SPORTS WAGERING 3
LICENSEE SHALL PROVI DE ALL TRANSACTIONAL DATA AND METRICS REL ATED TO 4
SPORTS WAGERING COND UCTED IN THE STATE AND ACQUIRED BY AN O NLINE 5
SPORTS WAGERING OPER ATOR OF THE LICENSEE ON A QUARTERLY BASIS TO 6
MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY, BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY, AND THE UNIVERSITY OF 7
MARYLAND SCHOOL OF MEDICINE. 8

(2) THE INFORMATION PROVI DED UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS 9
SUBSECTION SHALL INCLUDE: 10

(I) THE NUMBER OF PARTIC IPANTS THAT THE SPOR TS 11
WAGERING LICENSEE HA S IDENTIFIED AS ENGA GING IN ERRATIC OR I NCREASED 12
GAMBLING BEHAVIOR; AND 13

(II) THE NUMBER AND LENGT H OF ANY BANS OR SUS PENSIONS 14
IN RESPONSE TO THE BEHAVIOR DESCRIBED UNDER ITEM (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH. 15

(C) THE TRANSACTIONAL DATA AND METRICS PROVID ED IN ACCORDANCE 16
WITH SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION: 17

(1) SHALL EXCLUDE ANY PE RSONAL DATA AS DEFIN ED IN § 14–4801 18
OF THE COMMERCIAL LAW ARTICLE; 19

(2) ARE NOT SUBJECT TO D ISCLOSURE UNDER THE PUBLIC 20
INFORMATION ACT; AND 21

(3) MAY BE DISCLOSED BY MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY, BOWIE 22
STATE UNIVERSITY, AND THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOOL OF MEDICINE: 23

(I) ONLY AS NECESSARY TO CONDUCT RESEARCH; OR 24

(II) AS PART OF A PREVALE NCE STUDY OR PEER–REVIEWED 25
REPORT. 26

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, on or before August 1, 2026, 27
the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission shall update its application form for 28
placement on the Commission’s Voluntary Exclusion List to include a requirement that an 29
applicant affirmatively check a box labeled “NO CONTACT” should the applicant wish not 30
to be contacted by the Center for Excellence on Problem Gambling as required under §§ 31
10 HOUSE BILL 518

9–109, 9 –1A–24, 9 –1D–05, or 9 –1E–04 of the State Government Article, as enacted by 1
Section 1 of this Act. 2

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 3
1, 2026. 4

Approved:
________________________________________________________________________________
Governor.
________________________________________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Delegates.
________________________________________________________________________________
President of the Senate.