Internet Gaming - Authorization and Implementation

EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb1343*

HOUSE BILL 1343
C7 6lr3213
HB 17/25 – W&M
By: Delegate Young
Introduced and read first time: February 12, 2026
Assigned to: Ways and Means

A BILL ENTITLED

AN ACT concerning 1

Internet Gaming – Authorization and Implementation 2

FOR the purpose of authorizing the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission to issue 3
certain licenses to certain qualified applicants to conduct or participate in certain 4
Internet gaming operations in the State; requiring the Commission to regulate 5
Internet gaming and the conduct of Internet gaming in the State; requiring an 6
Internet gaming licensee to require individuals to provide proof of the registration 7
in order to pa rticipate in Internet gaming; authorizing the Governor, on 8
recommendation of the Commission, to enter into certain multijurisdictional 9
Internet gaming agreements with certain other governments, subject to certain 10
limitations; providing that certain payment s to certain former video lottery facility 11
employees may not be subtracted from the calculation of a certain benefit; 12
establishing the Video Lottery Facility Employee Displacement Fund as a special, 13
nonlapsing fund; submitting this Act to a referendum of t he qualified voters of the 14
State; and generally relating to Internet gaming. 15

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 16
Article – Economic Development 17
Section 5–1501(b) 18
Annotated Code of Maryland 19
(2024 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 20

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 21
Article – Economic Development 22
Section 5–1501(c)(1) 23
Annotated Code of Maryland 24
(2024 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 25

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 26
Article – Education 27
Section 5–206(b) 28
2 HOUSE BILL 1343

Annotated Code of Maryland 1
(2025 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 2

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 3
Article – Education 4
Section 5–206(f) and 5–235(a) 5
Annotated Code of Maryland 6
(2025 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 7

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 8
Article – Labor and Employment 9
Section 8–803(d) 10
Annotated Code of Maryland 11
(2025 Replacement Volume) 12

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 13
Article – State Government 14
Section 9–1A–28(a) and 9–1A–29(a) 15
Annotated Code of Maryland 16
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 17

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 18
Article – State Government 19
Section 9–1A–28(b)(1) and 9–1A–29(b)(1) 20
Annotated Code of Maryland 21
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 22

BY adding to 23
Article – State Government 24
Section 9–1F–01 through 9–1F–13 to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 1F. Internet 25
Gaming” 26
Annotated Code of Maryland 27
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 28

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 29
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 30

Article – Economic Development 31

5–1501. 32

(b) There is a Small, Minority, and Women–Owned Businesses Account under the 33
authority of the Department. 34

(c) (1) The Account shall receive money as required under [§ 9 –1A–27] §§ 35
9–1A–27 AND 9–1F–05 of the State Government Article. 36

HOUSE BILL 1343 3

Article – Education 1

5–206. 2

(b) There is the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund. 3

(f) The Fund consists of: 4

(1) Revenue distributed to the Fund under Title 9, Subtitles 1D [and 1E] 5
THROUGH 1F of the State Government Article and §§ 2 –4A–02, 2–605.1, and 2 –1303 of 6
the Tax – General Article; 7

(2) Money appropriated in the State budget for the Fund; 8

(3) Interest earned by the Acad emic Excellence Fund established under § 9
6–1105 of this article; and 10

(4) Any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the 11
Fund. 12

5–235. 13

(a) (1) (i) Subject to PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION A ND 14
subsection (o) of this section and beginning in fiscal year 2023, the county governing body 15
shall levy and appropriate an annual tax sufficient to provide an amount of revenue for 16
elementary and secondary public education purposes equal to the local share of major 17
education aid as adjusted under § 5–239 of this subtitle. 18

(ii) For the purposes of calculating the local share of major education 19
aid and regardless of the source of the funds, all funds that a county board, including the 20
Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners, is authorized to expend for schools may be 21
considered as levied by the county council, board of county commissioners, or the Mayor 22
and City Council of Baltimore except for: 23

1. State appropriations; 24

2. Federal education aid payments; and 25

3. The amount of the expenditure authorized for debt service 26
and capital outlay. 27

(2) Subject to PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION AND subsection (o) 28
of this section and except as provided in subsection (a –1) of this section, the county 29
governing body shall appropriate local funds to the school operating budget in an amount 30
no less than the product of the county’s enrollment count for the current fiscal year and the 31
local appropriation on a per pupil basis for the prior fiscal year using enrollment count. 32

4 HOUSE BILL 1343

(3) BEGINNING IN FISCAL YEAR 2028 AND EACH FISCAL YEAR 1
THEREAFTER, THE COUNTY GOVERNING BODY SHALL: 2

(I) SUBTRACT THE AMOUNT OF INTERNET GAMING PROCEEDS 3
DISTRIBUTED TO LOCAL JURISDICTIONS FOR ED UCATION FUNDING UNDE R § 4
9–1F–05(B)(2)(VIII) OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE FROM THE TOTA L 5
AMOUNTS CALCULATED UNDER PARAGRAPHS (1) AND (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION; AND 6

(II) APPROPRIATE TO THE SC HOOL OPERATING BUDGE T THE 7
AMOUNT OF INTERNET GAMING PROCE EDS THAT THE COUNTY GOVERNING BODY 8
RECEIVED. 9

Article – Labor and Employment 10

8–803. 11

(d) (1) Except as provided in § 8 –1207 of this title for the work sharing 12
program and § 8–1604 of this title for the Self–Employment Assistance Program, an eligible 13
claimant shall be paid a weekly benefit amount that is computed by: 14

(i) determining the claimant’s weekly benefit amount under this 15
section; 16

(ii) adding any allowance for a dependent to which the claimant is 17
entitled under § 8–804 of this subtitle; and 18

(iii) subject to [paragraph] PARAGRAPHS (3) AND (4) of this 19
subsection, subtracting any wages exceeding $50 payable to the claimant for the week. 20

(2) In computing benefits under this subsection, a fraction of a dollar shall 21
be rounded to the next lower dollar. 22

(3) A payment to an individual as compensation for serving as an election 23
judge for a local board of elections in the State may not be included when computing the 24
wages required to be subtracted under paragraph (1)(iii) of this subsection. 25

(4) A PAYMENT TO A FORMER VIDEO LOTTERY FACILITY EMPLOYEE 26
FROM THE VIDEO LOTTERY FACILITY EMPLOYEE DISPLACEMENT FUND 27
ESTABLISHED UNDER § 9–1F–13 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE MAY NOT 28
BE INCLUDED WHEN COMPUTING THE WAGES REQUIRED TO BE SUBTRACTED UNDER 29
PARAGRAPH (1)(III) OF THIS SUBSECTION. 30

Article – State Government 31

9–1A–28. 32

HOUSE BILL 1343 5

(a) There is a Purse Dedication Account under the authority of the State Racing 1
Commission. 2

(b) (1) The Account shall receive money as required under § 9 –1A–27 of this 3
subtitle AND § 9–1F–05 OF THIS TITLE. 4

9–1A–29. 5

(a) There is a Racetrack Facility Renewal Account under the authority of the 6
State Racing Commission. 7

(b) (1) The Account shall receive money as required under § 9 –1A–27 of this 8
subtitle AND § 9–1F–05 OF THIS TITLE for the first 16 years of operations at each video 9
lottery facility. 10

SUBTITLE 1F. INTERNET GAMING. 11

9–1F–01. 12

(A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 13
INDICATED. 14

(B) “COMMISSION” MEANS THE STATE LOTTERY AND GAMING CONTROL 15
COMMISSION. 16

(C) “ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED AREA” MEANS A GEOGRAPHIC AREA, 17
IDENTIFIED BY THE COMMISSION, THAT MEETS THREE OR MORE OF THE 18
FOLLOWING CRITERIA: 19

(1) HAS A MEDIAN INCOME RATE THAT IS 80% OR LESS OF THE 20
AVERAGE MEDIAN HOUSE HOLD INCOME OF THE S TATE WITHIN WHICH TH E 21
GEOGRAPHIC AREA IS LOCATED; 22

(2) HAS AN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE THAT IS AT LEAS T 150% OF THE 23
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE OF THE STATE WITHIN WHI CH THE GEOGRAPHIC AR EA IS 24
LOCATED; 25

(3) HAS AN UNINSURED RATE THAT IS AT LEAST 150% OF THE HEALTH 26
UNINSURED RATE OF TH E STATE WITHIN WHICH THE GEOGRAPHI C AREA IS 27
LOCATED; 28

(4) HAS A SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 29
PARTICIPATION RATE THAT IS AT LEAST 150% OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION 30
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PARTICIPATION RATE OF THE STATE WI THIN WHICH THE 31
GEOGRAPHIC AREA IS LOCATED; AND 32
6 HOUSE BILL 1343

(5) HAS A POVERTY RATE THAT IS AT LEAST 150% OF THE POVERTY 1
RATE IN THE STATE WITHIN WHICH THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA IS LOCATED. 2

(D) “INTERNET GAMING ” MEANS CASINO –STYLE GAMING THROUGH AN 3
ONLINE GAMING SYSTEM: 4

(1) ON A COMPUTER, A MOBILE DEVICE, OR ANY OTHER INTERACTIVE 5
DEVICE; AND 6

(2) THAT IS CONDUCTED BY AN INTERNET GAMING LICEN SEE OR A 7
PERSON WHO OPERATES INTERNET GAMING ON BEHALF OF AN INTERNET GAMING 8
LICENSEE. 9

(E) “INTERNET GAMING LICEN SE” MEANS A LICENSE ISSU ED BY THE 10
COMMISSION TO CONDUCT INTERNET GAMING IN THE STATE IN ACCORDANCE WITH 11
THIS SUBTITLE. 12

(F) “INTERNET GAMING LICENSEE” MEANS THE HOLDER OF AN INTERNET 13
GAMING LICENSE UNDER THIS SUBTITLE. 14

(G) “INTERNET GAMING OPERA TOR” MEANS AN ENTITY THAT HOLDS A 15
LICENSE ISSUED BY TH E COMMISSION UNDER THIS SUBTITLE TO CONDUCT AND 16
OPERATE INTERNET GAMING ON BEHALF OF AN INTERNET GAMING LICENSEE. 17

(H) (1) “PERSONAL NET WORTH” MEANS THE NET VALUE OF THE ASSETS 18
HELD BY AN INDIVIDUAL , INCLUDING THE INDIVI DUAL’S SHARE OF ASSETS HE LD 19
JOINTLY OR AS COMMUN ITY PROPERTY WITH TH E INDIVIDUAL ’S SPOUSE , AFTER 20
TOTAL LIABILITIES ARE DEDUCTED. 21

(2) “PERSONAL NET WORTH” DOES NOT INCLUDE: 22

(I) THE INDIVIDUAL’S OWNERSHIP INTEREST IN AN APPLICANT 23
FOR LICENSURE UNDER THIS SUBTITLE; 24

(II) THE INDIVIDUAL’S EQUITY IN THE INDI VIDUAL’S PRIMARY 25
PLACE OF RESIDENCE; 26

(III) ANY MORTGAGE OR LOAN SECURED BY THE INDIV IDUAL’S 27
PRIMARY PLACE OF RESIDENCE AS A LIABILITY; OR 28

(IV) THE CASH VALUE OF ANY QUALIFIED RETIREMENT SAVINGS 29
PLANS OR INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS. 30

HOUSE BILL 1343 7

(I) “PROCEEDS” MEANS THE AMOUNT OF MONEY BET ON INTERNET 1
GAMING, LESS: 2

(1) THE AMOUNT RETURNED TO SUCCESSFUL PLAYERS; 3

(2) THE CASH EQUIVALENTS OF ANY MERCHAN DISE OR THING OF 4
VALUE AWARDED AS A PRIZE TO SUCCESSFUL PLAYERS; AND 5

(3) THROUGH THE FIRST 5 YEARS OF OPERATION O F AN INTERNET 6
GAMING LICENSEE: 7

(I) IF THE INTERNET GAMING LICENSEE’S PROCEEDS DO NOT 8
EXCEED $4,000,000 DURING THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING YEAR OF OPERATION, 9
35% OF FREE PLAY AND PROMOTIONAL CREDITS REDEEMED BY PLAYERS; 10

(II) IF THE INTERNET GAMING LICEN SEE’S PROCEEDS ARE AT 11
LEAST $4,000,000 BUT DO NOT EXCEED $8,000,000 DURING THE IMMEDIATE LY 12
PRECEDING YEAR OF OP ERATION, 31.25% OF FREE PLA Y AND PROMOTIONAL 13
CREDITS REDEEMED BY PLAYERS; 14

(III) IF THE INTERNET GAMING LICEN SEE’S PROCEEDS ARE AT 15
LEAST $8,000,000 BUT DO NOT EXCEED $10,000,000 DURING THE IMMEDIATE LY 16
PRECEDING YEAR OF OP ERATION, 27.5% OF FREE PLAY AND PRO MOTIONAL 17
CREDITS REDEEMED BY PLAYERS; 18

(IV) IF THE INTERNET GAMING LICEN SEE’S PROCEEDS ARE AT 19
LEAST $10,000,000 BUT DO NOT EXCEED $12,000,000 DURING THE IMMEDIATE LY 20
PRECEDING YEAR OF OP ERATION, 23.75% OF FREE PLAY AND PRO MOTIONAL 21
CREDITS REDEEMED BY PLAYERS; OR 22

(V) IF THE INTERNET GAMING LICEN SEE’S PROCEEDS 23
EXCEEDED $12,000,000 DURING THE IMMEDIATE LY PRECEDING YEAR OF 24
OPERATION, 20% OF FREE PLAY AND PRO MOTIONAL CREDITS RED EEMED BY 25
PLAYERS. 26

(J) “SOCIAL EQUITY APPLICANT” MEANS AN APPLICANT FOR AN INTERNET 27
GAMING LICENSE WHO SATISFIES AT LEAST TWO OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA: 28

(1) LIVED IN AN ECONOMIC ALLY DISADVANTAGED A REA FOR AT 29
LEAST 5 OF THE 10 YEARS IMMEDIATELY PR ECEDING THE SUBMISSI ON OF THE 30
APPLICATION; 31

(2) ATTENDED A PUBLIC SC HOOL IN AN ECONOMICA LLY 32
DISADVANTAGED AREA FOR AT LEAST 5 YEARS; 33
8 HOUSE BILL 1343

(3) FOR AT LEAST 2 YEARS, ATTENDED A 4–YEAR INSTITUTION OF 1
HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE STATE WHERE AT LEAST 40% OF THE INDIVIDUALS WHO 2
ATTEND THE INSTITUTI ON OF HIGHER EDUCATI ON ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A PELL 3
GRANT; AND 4

(4) HAS A PERS ONAL NET WORTH THAT DOES NOT EXCEED AN 5
AMOUNT DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSION TO ENCOURA GE DIVERSITY, EQUITY, 6
AND INCLUSION IN THE INTERNET GAMING INDUSTRY. 7

(K) “VIDEO LOTTERY FACILIT Y” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–1A–01 8
OF THIS TITLE. 9

(L) “VIDEO LOTTERY OPERATOR” HAS THE MEANING STATED IN § 9–1A–01 10
OF THIS TITLE. 11

9–1F–02. 12

(A) (1) THIS SUBTITLE AUTHORIZES AN INTERNET GAMING LICENSEE TO 13
CONDUCT AND OPERATE INTERNET GAMING IN TH E STATE AS PROVIDED IN THIS 14
SUBTITLE. 15

(2) AN INTERNET GAMING LICEN SEE MAY ENTER INTO AN 16
AGREEMENT WITH UP TO ONE INTERNET GAMING OPERATOR. 17

(B) EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THIS SUBTITLE, THE COMMISSION 18
SHALL REGULATE INTERNET GAMING AND THE CONDUCT OF INTERNET GAMING TO 19
THE SAME EXTENT THAT THE COMMISSION REGULATES THE OPERATION OF VIDEO 20
LOTTERY TERMINALS AND TABLE GAMES UNDER SUBTITLE 1A OF THIS TITLE AND 21
MOBILE SPORTS WAGERING UNDER SUBTITLE 1E OF THIS TITLE. 22

(C) UNLESS THE CONTEXT RE QUIRES OTHERWISE , THE REQUIREMENTS 23
UNDER §§ 9–1A–04, 9–1A–06, 9–1A–07, 9–1A–08, 9–1A–12, 9–1A–14, 9–1A–18, 24
9–1A–19, 9–1A–20, AND 9–1A–25 OF THIS TITLE APPLY TO THE AUTHORITY, DUTIES, 25
AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMISSION, AN INTERNET GAMING LICENSEE , 26
AND AN EMPLOYEE OR A CONTRACTOR OF AN INTERNET GAMING LICENSEE UNDER 27
THIS SUBTITLE. 28

(D) (1) THE FOLLOWING PERSONS SHALL BE LICENSED UN DER THIS 29
SUBTITLE: 30

(I) A PERSON THAT CONDUCTS INTERNET GAMING; 31

HOUSE BILL 1343 9

(II) A PERSON THAT CONDUCTS INTERNET GAMING ON BEHALF 1
OF AN INTERNET GAMING LICENSEE, INCLUDING AN INTERNET GAMING OPERATOR; 2

(III) A LIVE STUDIO DEALER , AS DEFINED UNDER § 9–1F–10 OF 3
THIS SUBTITLE; 4

(IV) A PERSON NOT LICENSE D UNDER ITEM (I), (II), OR (III) OF 5
THIS PARAGRAPH THAT MANAGES, OPERATES, SUPPLIES, PROVIDES SECURITY FOR, 6
OR PROVIDES SERVICE , MAINTENANCE, OR REPAIRS FOR AN INTERNET GAMING 7
LICENSEE; AND 8

(V) AN INDIVIDUAL DIRECT LY EMPLOYED IN THE OPERATION 9
OF INTERNET GAMING BY AN INTERNET GAMING LICENSEE IF THE INDIVIDUAL DOES 10
NOT OTHERWISE HOLD A VALID LICENSE UNDER SUBTITLE 1A OF THIS TITLE. 11

(2) THE COMMISSION MAY BY REGULATION REQUIRE A PERSON THAT 12
CONTRACTS WITH A LIC ENSEE AND THE PERSON ’S EMPLOYEES TO OBTAIN A 13
LICENSE UNDER THIS S UBTITLE IF THE COMMISSION DETERMINES THAT THE 14
LICENSING REQUIREMENTS ARE NECESSARY IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC 15
INTEREST AND ACCOMPLISH THE POLICIES ESTABLISHED BY THIS SUBTITLE. 16

(3) SUBJECT TO THE LIMITA TIONS OF THIS SUBTITLE , THE 17
COMMISSION MAY CHARGE A FEE FOR A LICENSE ISSUED UNDER THIS SUBTITLE. 18

(E) (1) THE COMMISSION MAY NOT IS SUE A LICENSE TO A P ERSON 19
DESCRIBED UNDER SUBS ECTION (D)(1)(II) OR (IV) OF THIS SECTION IF T HE 20
APPLICANT OR ANY OF THE APPLICANT’S AFFILIATES, INCLUDING AN ENTITY UNDER 21
COMMON CONTROL , IS KNOWINGLY ACCEPTI NG REVENUE THAT IS D IRECTLY OR 22
INDIRECTLY DERIVED FROM: 23

(I) A JURISDICTION ON TH E BLACK LIST OF MONEY 24
LAUNDERING COUNTRIES ESTABLISHED BY THE FINANCIAL ACTION TASK FORCE; 25

(II) A JURISDICTION DESIG NATED AS A STATE SPONSOR OF 26
TERRORISM BY THE UNITED STATES; OR 27

(III) A JURISDICTION IN WH ICH ONLINE CASINO GA MING IS 28
PROHIBITED AND THE REVENUE IS DERIVED FROM ONLINE CASINO GAMING IN THAT 29
JURISDICTION. 30

(2) IF AT ANY TIME DURING THE LICENSURE OF A PERSON DESCRIBED 31
UNDER SUBSECTION (D)(1)(II) OR (IV) OF THIS SECTION THE COMMISSION 32
DETERMINES THAT THE LICENSE HOLDER OR AN Y OF THE LICENSE HOL DER’S 33
AFFILIATES, INCLUDING AN ENTITY UNDER COMMON CONTROL , IS KNOWINGLY 34
10 HOUSE BILL 1343

ACCEPTING REVE NUE THAT IS DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY DERIVE D FROM A 1
JURISDICTION DESCRIB ED UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THE 2
COMMISSION MAY REVOKE THE LICENSE OF THE L ICENSE HOLDER IF THE 3
COMMISSION DETERMINES THAT, AFTER NOTICE AND OPP ORTUNITY FOR A 4
HEARING, IT W OULD FURTHER THE PUB LIC INTEREST TO DISC ONTINUE THE 5
OPERATIONS OF THE LICENSE HOLDER WITHIN THE STATE. 6

(3) (I) 1. IN THIS PARAGRAPH THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE 7
THE MEANINGS INDICATED. 8

2. “ILLEGAL INTERACTIVE G AMING MARKET” MEANS A 9
JURISDICTION IN WHICH INTERACTIVE GA MING IS PROHIBITED B Y THE LAWS OF 10
THAT JURISDICTION. 11

3. “INTERACTIVE GAME CONT ENT” MEANS HARDWARE, 12
SOFTWARE, APPLICATIONS, AND SERVERS USED TO OPERATE, CONDUCT, OR OFFER 13
INTERACTIVE GAMBLING GAMES. 14

(II) THE COMMISSION SHALL REQ UIRE A PERSON DESCRI BED 15
UNDER SUBSECTION (D)(1)(II) AND (IV) OF THIS SUBSECTION, ON APPLICATION FOR 16
A LICENSE AND ANNUALLY FOLLOWING THE ISSUANCE OF A LICENSE, TO SUBMIT A 17
DISCLOSURE STATING THE JURISDICTIONS IN WHICH THE APPLICANT OR LICENSE 18
HOLDER OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE APPLICANT OR LICENSE HOLDER, DURING THE 19
IMMEDIATELY PRECEDIN G 12–MONTH PERIOD , DIRECTLY OR INDIRECT LY 20
ACCEPTED REVENUE FRO M THE SUPPLY OF INTE RACTIVE GAME CONTENT IN AN 21
ILLEGAL INTERACTIVE GAMING MARKET. 22

(III) A MATERIAL MISREPRESEN TATION OR OMISSION ON THE 23
DISCLOSURE REQUIRED UNDER SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF THIS PARAGRAPH MA Y, IN 24
THE DISCRETION OF THE COMMISSION, RESULT IN THE DENIAL OF AN APPLICATION 25
FOR A LICENSE UNDER THIS SUBTITLE OR , IN THE CASE OF A LIC ENSE HOLDER , 26
DISCIPLINARY ACTION, INCLUDING A SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF THE LICENSE 27
AND PENALTIES FOR OFFICERS OR BOARD MEMBERS OF THE LICENSE HOLDER. 28

(F) THE COMMISSION SHALL ADOPT REGULATIONS THAT ESTABLISH: 29

(1) THE FORM AND CONTENT OF AN APPLICATION FOR ANY LICENSE 30
REQUIRED UNDER THIS SUBTITLE; 31

(2) STANDARDS, PROCEDURES, AND RULES THAT GOVER N THE 32
CONDUCT AND OPERATION OF INTERNET GAMING; AND 33

(3) ANY OTHER REGULATION NECESSARY TO CARRY O UT THE 34
PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBTITLE. 35
HOUSE BILL 1343 11

9–1F–03. 1

(A) IT IS THE INTENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT THIS SUBTITLE BE 2
IMPLEMENTED IN A MAN NER THAT , TO THE EXTENT PERMIT TED BY STATE AND 3
FEDERAL LAW , MAXIMIZES THE ABILIT Y OF MINORITIES , WOMEN, AND 4
MINORITY– AND WOMEN–OWNED BUSINESSES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE INTERNET 5
GAMING INDUSTRY, INCLUDING THROUGH THE OWNERSHIP OF ENTITIES LICENSED 6
TO CONDUCT INTERNET GAMING. 7

(B) (1) (I) SUBJECT TO SUBPARAGRA PH (IV) OF THIS PARAGRAPH , 8
THE COMMISSION MAY ISSUE AN INTERNET GAMING LICENSE TO: 9

1. A VIDEO LOTTERY OPERATOR; 10

2. THE HOLDER OF A SPOR TS WAGERING FACILITY 11
LICENSE DESCRIBED UNDER § 9–1E–06(A)(2)(I)2 OR 3 OF THIS TITLE; AND 12

3. APPLICANTS THAT: 13

A. HAVE MAINTAINED THE APPLICANTS’ 14
HEADQUARTERS IN THE STATE FOR AT LEAST 10 YEARS; 15

B. EMPLOYED ON DECEMBER 31, 2025, AND CONTINUE 16
TO EMPLOY , AT LEAST 250 EMPLOYEES IN THE STATE ON A FULL –TIME OR 17
FULL–TIME EQUIVALENT BASIS; 18

C. DURING THE PERIOD BE GINNING JANUARY 1, 2018, 19
AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2025, FILED AN APPLICATION OR RENEWAL 20
APPLICATION TO OWN AN EQUITY INTEREST OF AT LEAST 5% IN A VIDEO LOTTERY 21
OPERATOR AND WERE FOUND BY THE COMMISSION TO BE QUALIFIED; 22

D. AGREE TO OPERATE THE INTERNET GAMING 23
BUSINESS USING A BRA ND ASSOCIATED WITH A MARYLAND–BASED APPLICANT , 24
SUBJECT TO WAIVER BY THE COMMISSION AFTER 1 FULL YEAR OF OPERATION; AND 25

E. COMMIT TO SPEND AT LEAST $5,000,000 DURING THE 26
INITIAL TERM OF THE INTERNET GAMING LICENSE TO BUILD AND OPERATE A LIVE 27
GAMING STUDIO, AS DEFINED UNDER § 9–1F–10 OF THIS SUBTITLE , OR A STUDIO 28
FOR TELEVISION AND F ILM PRODUC TIONS UNDER THE AUSP ICES OF THE 29
MARYLAND FILM OFFICE WITHIN THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 30
DIVISION OF TOURISM, FILM, AND THE ARTS. 31

12 HOUSE BILL 1343

(II) 1. THE COMMISSION MAY ISSUE A VIDEO LOTTERY 1
OPERATOR AN ADDITION AL INTERNET GAMING LICEN SE IF , AT THE TIME OF 2
APPLICATION FOR A LI CENSE UNDER SUBPARAG RAPH (I)1 OF THIS PARAGRAPH , 3
THE VIDEO LOTTERY OPERATOR CONCURRENTLY APPLIES FOR A LICENSE THAT THE 4
VIDEO LOTTERY OPERAT OR AGREES TO OPERATE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SOCIAL 5
EQUITY APPLICANTS WHO DEMONSTRATE DIRECT OR INDIRECT OWNERSHIP OF AT 6
LEAST 33% IN A JOINT VENTURE. 7

2. IF A VIDEO LOTTERY OP ERATOR APPLIES FOR A 8
LICENSE IN ACCORDANC E WITH SUBSUBPARAGRA PH 1 OF THIS SUBPARAGRAPH , 9
THE COMMISSION MAY ISSUE THE VIDEO LOTTERY OP ERATOR AN ADDITIONAL 10
LICENSE THAT THE VID EO LOTTERY OPERATOR MAY OPERATE SUBJECT TO 11
SUBPARAGRAPH (IV) OF THIS PARAGRAPH. 12

3. IF THE SOCIAL EQUITY APPLICANT WITH WHOM THE 13
VIDEO LOTTERY OPERAT OR AGREES TO PARTNER IN ACCORDANCE WITH 14
SUBSUBPARAGRAPH 1 OR 2 OF THIS SUBPARAGRAPH IS THE HOLDER OF A S PORTS 15
WAGERING FACILITY LICENSE DESCRIBED UNDER § 9–1E–06(A)(2)(I)2 OR 3 OF THIS 16
TITLE, THE HOLDER OF THE SP ORTS WAGERING FACILI TY LICENSE DESCRIBED 17
UNDER § 9–1E–06(A)(2)(I)2 OR 3 OF THIS TITLE MAY NOT APPLY FOR A LICENSE IN 18
ACCORDANCE WITH SUBPARAGRAPH (I)2 OF THIS PARAGRAPH. 19

(III) 1. IF A VIDEO LOTTERY OPERATOR THAT IS ELIGIBLE TO 20
RECEIVE AN INTERNET GAMING LICEN SE UNDER SUBPARAGRAP H (I) OF THIS 21
PARAGRAPH FAILS TO A PPLY FOR A LICENSE F OR WHICH THE ENTITY IS 22
POTENTIALLY ELIGIBLE , INCLUDING THE ADDITI ONAL LICENSES DESCRIBED 23
UNDER SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF THIS PARAGRAPH, THE COMMISSION MAY ISSUE THE 24
OTHERWISE AVAILABLE INTERNET GAMING LICENSES THROUGH TWO COMPETITIVE 25
LICENSING ROUNDS TO APPLICANTS THAT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR AN 26
INTERNET GAMING LICENSE UNDER THIS SUBTITLE. 27

2. IN ADDITION TO THE LI CENSES DESCRIBED UND ER 28
SUBSUBPARAGRAPH 1 OF THIS SUBPARAGRAPH, THE COMMISSION MAY ISSUE FIVE 29
INTERNET GAMING LICENSES THROUGH TWO COMPETITIVE LICENSING ROUNDS TO 30
APPLICANTS THAT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR AN INTERNET GAMING LICENSE 31
UNDER THIS SUBTITLE. 32

3. THE FIRST ROUND OF AP PLICATIONS FOR LICEN SES 33
DESCRIBED UNDER SUBSUBPARAGRAPHS 1 AND 2 OF THIS SUBPARAGRAPH SHALL 34
BE AVAILABLE TO APPL ICANTS THAT DEMONSTR ATE DIRECT OR INDIRE CT 35
OWNERSHIP OF AT LEAST 33% BY SOCIAL EQUITY APPLICANTS. 36

4. IF ANY LICENSES DESCR IBED UNDER 37
SUBSUBPARAGRAPHS 1 AND 2 OF THIS SUBPARAGRAPH REMAIN AVAILABLE AFTER 38
HOUSE BILL 1343 13

THE FIRST ROUND OF A PPLICATIONS DESCRIBED UNDER SUBSUBPARAGRAPH 3 OF 1
THIS SUBPARAGRAPH , THE REMAINING LICENS ES SHALL BE AVA ILABLE TO 2
APPLICANTS WHO SATIS FY THE REQUIREMENTS UNDER SUBPARAGRAPH (IV) OF 3
THIS PARAGRAPH. 4

(IV) 1. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED UN DER SUBSUBPARAGRAPH 2 5
OF THIS SUBPARAGRAPH , THE COMMISSION MAY NOT IS SUE A LICENSE TO AN 6
APPLICANT THAT HAS N OT DEMONSTRATED DIRECT OR INDIRECT O WNERSHIP OF 7
AT LEAST 5% BY INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE SOCIAL EQUITY APPLICANTS. 8

2. THE COMMISSION MAY ISSUE A LICENSE TO AN 9
APPLICANT THAT, IN LIEU OF THE OWNER SHIP REQUIREMENT DESCRIBED UNDER 10
SUBSUBPARAGRAPH 1 OF THIS SUBPARAGRAPH , HAS E STABLISHED A 11
PROFIT–SHARING AGREEMENT WI TH NONMANAGEMENT EMP LOYEES WHO WOULD 12
OTHERWISE QUALIFY AS SOCIAL EQUITY APPLICANTS. 13

(V) THE COMMISSION SHALL REVIEW EACH APPLICATION FOR 14
AN INTERNET GAMING LICEN SE UNDER THIS SECTIO N TO ENSURE THAT 15
APPLICANTS SATISFY THE SOCIAL EQUITY APPLICANT OWNERSHIP REQUIREMENTS 16
UNDER THIS SUBSECTION. 17

(VI) IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER FACTORS ESTABLISHED BY THE 18
COMMISSION BY REGULATION TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THIS SUBTITLE, THE 19
COMMISSION SHALL REVI EW APPLICATIONS FOR INTERNET GAMING LICENSES 20
UNDER SUBPARAGRAPH (III) OF THIS PARAGRAPH BASED ON: 21

1. THE PERCENTAGE OF OW NERSHIP BY INDIVIDUA LS 22
WHO ARE SOCIAL EQUITY APPLICANTS; 23

2. THE APPLICANT ’S FINANCIAL STABILIT Y, 24
RESOURCES, INTEGRITY, AND BUSINESS ABILITY AND ACUMEN; 25

3. THE APPLICANT ’S WORKFORCE DEVELOPM ENT 26
PLANS FOR INTERNET GAMING INDUSTRY EMPLOYEES IN THE STATE; 27

4. THE APPLICANT ’S PLANS FOR EMPLOYIN G 28
INDIVIDUALS IN THE INTERNET GAMING INDUSTRY WHO RESIDE IN ECONOMICALLY 29
DISADVANTAGED AREAS; AND 30

5. THE APPLICANT’S RESPONSIBLE GAMING PROGRAMS 31
AND AN EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE AND COMPLIANCE PROGRAM. 32

14 HOUSE BILL 1343

(2) (I) THE COMMISSION MAY CONTRACT WITH A CONSULTANT TO 1
ASSIST THE COMMISSION WITH THE D EVELOPMENT OF AN INTERNET GAMING 2
LICENSE APPLICATION AND THE REVIEW OF APPLICANTS. 3

(II) AS PART OF THE REVIEW OF AN APPLICATION FO R AN 4
INTERNET GAMING LICENSE, THE COMMISSION SHALL DETERMINE WHETHER THE 5
ISSUANCE OF A LICENSE TO THE APPLICANT SERVES THE PUBLIC INTEREST. 6

(3) (I) 1. THE INITIAL LICENSE FEE FOR AN INTERNET GAMING 7
LICENSE IS EQUAL TO $1,000,000. 8

2. THE COMMISSION MAY AUTHORIZE THE PAYMENT OF 9
THE FEE REQUIRED UND ER SUBSUBPARAGRAPH 1 OF THIS SUBPARAGRAPH IN 10
SEPARATE INSTALLMENTS. 11

(II) THE TERM OF AN INTERNET GAMING LICENSE IS 5 YEARS. 12

(4) (I) ON APPLICATION BY AN INTERNET GAMING LICENSEE AND 13
PAYMENT OF A LICENSE RENEWAL FEE UNDER SU BPARAGRAPH (II) OF THIS 14
PARAGRAPH, THE COMMISSION SHALL RENEW FOR 5 YEARS AN INTERNET GAMING 15
LICENSE IF THE LICEN SEE COMPLIES WITH AL L STATUTORY AND REGU LATORY 16
REQUIREMENTS. 17

(II) THE LICENSE RENEWAL F EE IS EQUAL TO 1% OF THE 18
INTERNET GAMING LICEN SEE’S AVERAGE ANNUAL PRO CEEDS RETAINED BY TH E 19
LICENSEE UNDER § 9–1F–05(B)(1)(II) OF THIS SUBTITLE FOR THE PRECEDING 20
3–YEAR PERIOD. 21

(C) ON A PROPERLY APPROVE D TRANSM ITTAL PREPARED BY TH E 22
COMMISSION, THE COMPTROLLER SHALL PAY THE FOLLOWING AMOUNT S FROM 23
THE LICENSE FEES COLLECTED BY THE COMMISSION UNDER THIS SECTION: 24

(1) AN AMOUNT TO THE STATE LOTTERY AND GAMING CONTROL 25
AGENCY NECESSARY TO REIMBURSE THE AGENCY FOR EXPENSES RELATED TO THE 26
ISSUANCE AND RENEWAL OF LICENSES UNDER THIS SECTION; 27

(2) 1% TO THE PROBLEM GAMBLING FUND ESTABLISHED UNDE R § 28
9–1A–33 OF THIS TITLE; AND 29

(3) THE REMAINDER TO THE BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND’S FUTURE 30
FUND ESTABLISHED UNDER § 5–206 OF THE EDUCATION ARTICLE. 31

(D) FOR ALL LICENSES REQUIRED UNDER THIS SECTION, IF AN APPLICANT 32
HOLDS A VALID GAMING OR GAMING OPERATION LICENSE IN THIS STATE OR AT 33
HOUSE BILL 1343 15

LEAST THREE OTHER ST ATES AND THE COMMISSION DETERMINES THAT THE 1
LICENSING STANDARDS OF THE ISSUI NG AGENCY ARE COMPRE HENSIVE AND 2
THOROUGH AND PROVIDE SIMILAR AND ADEQUATE SAFEGUARDS TO THOSE 3
PROVIDED IN THIS SUBTITLE, THE COMMISSION MAY: 4

(1) WAIVE SOME OR ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION; 5
AND 6

(2) ISSUE A LICENSE TO THAT APPLICANT. 7

(E) (1) WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER THE ISSUANCE OF AN INTERNET GAMING 8
LICENSE, THE INTERNET GAMING LICENSEE SHALL SUBMIT TO THE COMMISSION A 9
DIVERSITY PLAN THAT DESCRIBES THE STEPS THAT THE LICENSEE WI LL TAKE TO 10
PROMOTE MEANINGFUL D IVERSITY AMONG ITS O WNERS, INVESTORS, MANAGERS, 11
EMPLOYEES, AND CONTRACTORS AND TO PROMOTE EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY. 12

(2) EACH INTERNET GAMING LICEN SEE SHALL MAKE GOOD FAITH 13
EFFORTS TO MEET THE DIVERSITY OBJECTIVES OUTLINED IN THE DIVERSITY PLAN 14
SUBMITTED UNDER PARA GRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSEC TION AND REPORT TO T HE 15
COMMISSION ANY NECESSARY METRICS TO MEASURE PROGRESS IN MEETING THOSE 16
OBJECTIVES. 17

(3) THE COMMISSION MAY MAKE T HE DIVERSITY PLANS A ND 18
METRICS SUBMITTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SUBSECTION AVAILABLE TO THE 19
PUBLIC. 20

(F) (1) AN INTERNET GAMING LICENSEE MAY NOT TRANSFER 21
OWNERSHIP OR CONTROL OF THE LICENSE FOR A PERIOD OF AT LEAST 3 YEARS 22
FOLLOWING ISSUANCE OF THE LICENSE. 23

(2) THE LIMITATIONS UNDER THIS SUBSECTION DO N OT APPLY TO 24
TRANSFERS AS A RESUL T OF THE DISABILITY , INCAPACITY, OR DEATH OF THE 25
OWNER OF AN INTERNET GAMING LICEN SE, BANKRUPTCY OR RECEIV ERSHIP IN 26
ACCORDANCE WITH A LE NDING AGREEMENT OF A N INTERNET GAMING LICENSEE, 27
OR COURT ORDER. 28

9–1F–04. 29

(A) AN INTERNET GAMING LICENSEE: 30

(1) SHALL: 31

(I) COMPLY WITH ALL STATE AND FEDERAL DATA PRIVACY AND 32
SECURITY LAWS; 33
16 HOUSE BILL 1343

(II) MAINTAIN ALL INTERNET GAMING DATA SECURELY FOR AT 1
LEAST 5 YEARS; 2

(III) AUTHORIZE ONLY INDIV IDUALS WHO ARE AT LE AST 21 3
YEARS OF AGE TO ENGAGE IN INTERNET GAMING; AND 4

(IV) VERIFY AN INDIVIDUAL ’S AGE AND IDENTITY AT TH E TIME 5
THE INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHES AN INTERNET GAMING ACCOUNT AND PERIODICALLY 6
REVERIFY THE INDIVIDUAL’S IDENTITY; AND 7

(2) MAY NOT: 8

(I) SHARE ANY PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMA TION 9
WITH ANY THIRD PARTIES WITHOUT PERMISSION, EXCEPT AS NEEDED TO OPERATE 10
INTERNET GAMING , ADMINISTER THE LICEN SEE’S OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS 11
SUBTITLE, AND SUPPORT PROBLEM GAMBLING INITIATIVES; 12

(II) TARGET ADVERTISING T O INDIVIDUALS WHO AR E 13
PROHIBITED FROM PART ICIPATING IN GAMBLIN G ACTIVITIES UNDER THIS TITLE 14
AND OTHER AT–RISK INDIVIDUALS; OR 15

(III) ENGAGE IN ANY FALSE OR DECEPTIVE ADVERTISING. 16

(B) (1) THE FINDINGS AND EVID ENCE RELIED ON BY TH E GENERAL 17
ASSEMBLY FOR THE CONT INUATION OF THE MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE 18
PROGRAM UNDER TITLE 14, SUBTITLE 3 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND 19
PROCUREMENT ARTICLE ARE INCORPORATED IN THIS SUBSECTION. 20

(2) TO THE EXTENT PRACTIC ABLE AND AUTHORIZED BY THE U.S. 21
CONSTITUTION, AN INTERNET GAMING LICEN SEE SHALL COMPLY WIT H THE 22
STATE’S MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM. 23

(3) (I) WITHIN 6 MONTHS AFTER THE ISSUANCE OF AN INTERNET 24
GAMING LICENSE UNDER THIS SUBTITLE , THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF SMALL, 25
MINORITY, AND WOMEN BUSINESS AFFAIRS, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE OFFICE 26
OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE INTERNET GAMING LICENSEE, SHALL 27
ESTABLISH A CLEAR PLAN FOR SETTING REASONABLE AND APPROPRIATE MINORITY 28
BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PARTICIPATION GOALS AND PROCEDURES FOR T HE 29
PROCUREMENT OF GOODS AND SERVICES RELATED TO INTERNET GAMING. 30

(II) TO THE EXTENT PRACTIC ABLE, THE GOAL S AND 31
PROCEDURES SPECIFIED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH SH ALL BE 32
BASED ON THE REQUIREMENTS OF TITLE 14, SUBTITLE 3 OF THE STATE FINANCE 33
HOUSE BILL 1343 17

AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE AND THE REGUL ATIONS IMPLEMENTING THAT 1
SUBTITLE. 2

(C) AN APPLICANT FOR AN INTERNET GAMI NG LICENSE , AN INTERNET 3
GAMING LICENSEE , OR AN ENTITY THAT OP ERATES A LIVE DEALER STUDIO ON 4
BEHALF OF AN INTERNET GAMING LICEN SEE SHALL PRODUCE INFORM ATION, 5
DOCUMENTATION, AND ASSURANCES TO ES TABLISH BY CLEAR AND CONVINCING 6
EVIDENCE THAT: 7

(1) UNLESS THE APPLICANT, LICENSEE, OR LIVE DEALER STUDI O 8
OPERATOR ALREADY HAS A COLLEC TIVE BARGAINING AGRE EMENT, THE 9
APPLICANT, LICENSEE, OR LIVE DEALER STUDI O OPERATOR HAS ENTERED INTO A 10
LABOR PEACE AGREEMEN T WITH EACH LABOR OR GANIZATION THAT IS A CTIVELY 11
ENGAGED IN RE PRESENTING OR ATTEMP TING TO REPRESENT INTERNET GAMING 12
INDUSTRY WORKERS, INCLUDING DEALERS CO NDUCTING LIVE DEALER GAMES IN 13
ACCORDANCE WITH § 9–1F–10 OF THIS SUBTITLE, IN THE STATE; 14

(2) THE LABOR PEACE AGRE EMENT IS VALID AND E NFORCEABLE 15
UNDER 29 U.S.C. § 158; 16

(3) THE LABOR PEACE AGRE EMENT PROTECTS THE STATE’S 17
REVENUES BY PROHIBIT ING THE LABOR ORGANI ZATION AND ITS MEMBE RS FROM 18
ENGAGING IN PICKETIN G, WORK STOPPAGES , BOYCOTTS, AND ANY OTHER 19
ECONOMIC INTERFERENCE WITH THE OPERATION OF INTERNET GAMING WITHI N 20
THE FIRST 5 YEARS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF AN INTERNET GAMING LICENSE; 21
AND 22

(4) THE APPLICANT, LICENSEE, OR LIVE DEALER STUDIO OPERATOR 23
INTENDS TO MAINTAIN A NEUTRAL POSITION O N THE UNIONIZATION O F ANY 24
EMPLOYEES OF THE APP LICANT, LICENSEE, OR OPERATO R, INCLUDING BY 25
REFRAINING FROM MAKI NG ANY STATEMENT OR IMPLICATION THAT THE 26
APPLICANT, LICENSEE, OR OPERATOR: 27

(I) OPPOSES THE SELECTIO N OR DESELECTION OF A 28
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGENT; OR 29

(II) SUPPORTS OR OPPOSES THE SELECTION OF A PARTICULAR 30
LABOR ORGANIZATION AS A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGENT. 31

9–1F–05. 32

(A) (1) THE COMMISSION SHALL ACCOUNT TO THE COMPTROLLER FOR 33
ALL OF THE REVENUE UNDER THIS SUBTITLE. 34

18 HOUSE BILL 1343

(2) THE PROCEEDS FROM INTERNET GAMING , LESS THE AMOUNT 1
RETAINED BY THE LICE NSEE UNDER SUBSEC TION (B)(1)(II) OF THIS SECTION , 2
SHALL BE UNDER THE C ONTROL OF THE COMPTROLLER AND DISTR IBUTED AS 3
PROVIDED UNDER SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION. 4

(B) (1) (I) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF THIS 5
PARAGRAPH, ALL PROCEEDS FROM INTERNET GAMING SHALL BE ELECTRONICALLY 6
TRANSFERRED DAILY INTO THE STATE LOTTERY FUND ESTABLISHED UNDE R 7
SUBTITLE 1 OF THIS TITLE. 8

(II) A LICENSEE SHALL RETAIN: 9

1. 80% OF THE PROCEEDS FROM LIVE DEALER GAMES 10
CONDUCTED BY THE LICENSEE IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 9–1F–10 OF THIS SUBTITLE; 11
AND 12

2. 45% OF THE PROCEEDS RECEIVED BY THE LICENSEE 13
FROM ALL OTHER INTERNET GAMING. 14

(2) ALL PROCEEDS FROM INTERNET GAMING IN THE STATE LOTTERY 15
FUND ESTABLISHED UNDER SUBTITLE 1 OF THIS TITLE SHALL BE DISTRIBUTED ON 16
A MONTHLY BASIS , ON A PROPERLY APPROVE D TRANSMITTAL PREPAR ED BY THE 17
COMMISSION IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER: 18

(I) FOR THE FIRST 12 MONTHS THAT INTERNET GAMING IS IN 19
OPERATION IN THE STATE, UP TO $10,000,000 TO THE VIDEO LOTTERY FACILITY 20
EMPLOYEE DISPLACEMENT FUND ESTABLISHED UNDER § 9–1F–13 OF THIS 21
SUBTITLE; 22

(II) TO JURISDICTIONS WIT H VIDEO LOTTERY FACI LITIES 23
BASED ON EACH JURISD ICTION’S PERCENTAGE OF OVER ALL GROSS REVENUES 24
FROM VIDEO LOTTERY T ERMINALS FOR THE PUR POSES DESCRIBED UNDE R § 25
9–1A–31(B) OF THIS TITLE: 26

1. $6,500,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2028; 27

2. $8,300,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2029; 28

3. $10,000,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2030; 29

4. $11,300,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2031; AND 30

5. $11,400,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2032; 31

HOUSE BILL 1343 19

(III) TO THE PURSE DEDICATION ACCOUNT ESTABLISHED 1
UNDER § 9–1A–28 OF THIS TITLE: 2

1. $4,900,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2028; 3

2. $6,300,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2029; 4

3. $7,600,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2030; 5

4. $8,600,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2031; AND 6

5. $8,700,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2032; 7

(IV) TO THE RACETRACK FACILITY RENEWAL ACCOUNT 8
ESTABLISHED UNDER § 9–1A–29 OF THIS TITLE: 9

1. $900,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2028; 10

2. $1,000,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2029; 11

3. $1,200,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2030; AND 12

4. $700,000 IN EACH OF FISCAL YEARS 2031 AND 2032; 13

(V) TO THE SMALL, MINORITY, AND WOMEN–OWNED 14
BUSINESSES ACCOUNT ESTABLISHED U NDER § 5–1501 OF THE ECONOMIC 15
DEVELOPMENT ARTICLE: 16

1. $1,300,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2028; 17

2. $1,600,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2029; 18

3. $1,900,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2030; AND 19

4. $2,200,000 IN EACH OF FISCAL YEARS 2031 AND 2032; 20

(VI) 1% OF ALL PROCEEDS TO THE STATE LOTTERY AND 21
GAMING CONTROL AGENCY FOR THE COST O F PERFORMING BACKGRO UND 22
INVESTIGATIONS AND OTHER REGULATORY ACTIVITIES; 23

(VII) 1% OF ALL PROCEEDS TO THE PROBLEM GAMBLING FUND 24
ESTABLISHED UNDER § 9–1A–33 OF THIS TITLE; 25

(VIII) 1% OF ALL PROCEEDS TO COUNTY GOVERNING BODIES, 26
DISTRIBUTED TO EACH COUNTY BASED ON THE COUNTY’S CURRENT FISCAL YEA R 27
20 HOUSE BILL 1343

ENROLLMENT COUNT, AS DEFINED IN § 5–201 OF THE EDUCATION ARTICLE, TO BE 1
USED TO ASSIST COUNT IES IN MEETING THEIR EDUCATION FUNDING 2
REQUIREMENTS UNDER § 5–235(A) OF THE EDUCATION ARTICLE; AND 3

(IX) THE REMAINDER TO THE BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND’S 4
FUTURE FUND ESTABLISHED UNDER § 5–206 OF THE EDUCATION ARTICLE. 5

9–1F–06. 6

(A) IN ORDER TO ASSIST INDI VIDUALS WHO MAY HAVE A GAMBLING 7
PROBLEM, AN INTERNET GAMING LICENSEE SHALL: 8

(1) CAUSE THE WORDS “IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW HAS A 9
GAMBLING PROBLEM AND WANTS HELP , CALL 1–800–GAMBLER” OR SOME 10
COMPARABLE LANGUAGE APPROVED BY THE COMMISSION TO BE DISPLAYE D 11
PROMINENTLY AT LOG –ON AND LOG –OFF TIMES TO ANY IND IVIDUAL VISITING OR 12
LOGGED ONTO AN INTERNET GAMING PLATFORM; 13

(2) REQUIRE AN INTERNET GAMING ACCOUNT HOLDER TO ESTABLISH 14
A LIMIT ON THE AMOUN T OF MONEY DEPOSITED WITHIN A SPECIFIED P ERIOD OF 15
TIME AND THE LENGTH OF TIME THE ACCOUNT HOLDER WILL BE UNABL E TO 16
PARTICIPATE IN INTERNET GAMING AND M AKE ADDITIONAL DEPOS ITS IF THE 17
ACCOUNT HOLDER REACHES THE ESTABLISHED DEPOSIT LIMIT; 18

(3) PROVIDE A MECHANISM BY WHICH AN INTERNET GAMING 19
ACCOUNT HOLDER MAY ESTABLI SH A TEMPORARY SUSPENSI ON OF INTERNET 20
GAMING ACTIVITY THROUGH THE ACCOUNT FOR ANY NUMBER OF HOURS OR DAYS; 21

(4) PROHIBIT THE USE OF CREDIT CARDS FOR ANY INTERNET 22
GAMING–RELATED TRANSACTIONS; AND 23

(5) (I) CAUSE THE DISPLAY OF A PROBL EM GAMBLING 24
DISCLOSURE CONCERNIN G THE RISKS ASSOCIAT ED WITH GAMBLING AND THE 25
SUPPORT AVAILABLE TO PROBLEM GAMBLERS AT ACCOUNT LOGIN; 26

(II) REQUIRE AN INDIVIDUA L TO CERTIFY THAT TH E 27
INDIVIDUAL HAS READ THE DISCLOSURE DESCRIBED UNDER ITEM (I) OF THIS ITEM 28
BEFORE ESTABLISHING AN INTERNET GAMING ACCOUNT; AND 29

(III) REQUIRE EACH USER TO CERTIFY ON A MONTHLY BASIS 30
THAT THE USER HAS RE AD THE DISCLOSURE DE SCRIBED UNDER ITEM (I) OF THIS 31
ITEM. 32

HOUSE BILL 1343 21

(B) IF A SUSPENSION OF INTERNET GAMING ACTIVITY UNDER SUBSECTION 1
(A)(3) OF THIS SECTION IS I MPOSED BY THE ACCOUN T HOLDER FOR AT LEAS T 72 2
HOURS, THE INTERNET GAMING LICEN SEE MAY NOT SEND GAM ING–RELATED 3
ELECTRONIC MAIL TO THE ACCOUNT HOLDER UNTIL THE SUSPENSION EXPIRES. 4

(C) (1) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION, 5
AN INTERNET GAMING LICEN SEE SHALL PROVIDE A MECHANISM BY WHICH A N 6
ACCOUNT HOLDER MAY P ERIODICALLY CHANGE THE CONTROLS ON GAMING 7
ACTIVITY IMPOSED BY THE ACCOUNT HOLDER UNDER THIS SECTION. 8

(2) IF THE ACCOUNT IS SUS PENDED BY THE ACCOUN T HOLDER 9
UNDER SUBSECTION (A)(3) OF THIS SECTION , THE ACCOUNT HOLDER M AY NOT 10
CHANGE GAMING CONTROLS UNTIL THE SUSPENSION EXPIRES. 11

(3) IF AN INDIVIDUAL SEEK S TO INCREASE THE LI MIT ON THE 12
AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT THE INDIVIDUAL MAY DEPOSIT WITHIN A PERIOD OF TIME 13
SPECIFIED UNDER SUBS ECTION (A)(2) OF THIS SECTION , THE INTERNET GAMING 14
LICENSEE MAY NOT REFLECT THE INCREASED LIMIT FOR AT LEAST 24 HOURS. 15

(D) NOTWITHSTANDING A TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF INTERNET GAMING 16
ACTIVITY IMPOSED BY AN ACCOUNT HOLDER UN DER SUBSECTION (A)(3) OF THIS 17
SECTION, THE ACCOUNT HOLDER MAY CONTINUE TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE ACCOUNT 18
AND IS AUTHORIZED TO WITHDRAW FUNDS FROM THE ACCOUNT ON PROPE R 19
APPLICATION TO THE INTERNET GAMING LICENSEE. 20

(E) (1) THE COMMISSION SHALL ADOP T REGULATIONS THAT A RE 21
INTENDED TO REDUCE OR MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF PROBLEM GAMBLING. 22

(2) THE REGULATIONS SHALL: 23

(I) INCLUDE ESTABLISHMEN T OF A VOLUNTARY EXC LUSION 24
LIST OF INDIVIDUALS WITH GAMBLING PROBLE MS WHO HAVE REQUESTE D TO BE 25
EXCLUDED FROM ANY INTERNET GAMING LICENSED UNDER THIS SUBTITLE; AND 26

(II) PROVIDE A SIMPLE MECHANISM FOR AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS 27
SOBER AND INFORMED T O REQUEST PLACEMENT ON THE VOLUNTARY EXC LUSION 28
LIST FOR A SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME. 29

(3) UNLESS AN INDIVIDUAL REQUESTING PLACEMENT ON THE 30
VOLUNTARY EXCLUSION LIST AFFIRMATIVELY DECLINES THE PROVISION OF THE 31
INDIVIDUAL’S CONTACT INFORMATIO N TO THE MARYLAND CENTER OF 32
EXCELLENCE ON PROBLEM GAMBLING, THE COMMISSION SHALL PROV IDE THE 33
INDIVIDUAL’S CONTACT INFORMATIO N TO THE CENTER FOR THE PURPOS E OF 34
22 HOUSE BILL 1343

PROVIDING THE INDIVIDU AL INFORMATION ABOUT FREE AND CONFIDENTIA L 1
RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING ASSISTANCE. 2

(4) AN INTERNET GAMING LICENSEE: 3

(I) MAY NOT PERMIT AN IN DIVIDUAL ON THE VOLU NTARY 4
EXCLUSION LIST TO ES TABLISH AN INTERNET GAMING ACCOU NT OR ENGAGE IN 5
INTERNET GAMING; AND 6

(II) MAY PERMIT AN INDIVI DUAL ON THE VOLUNTAR Y 7
EXCLUSION LIST WHO PREVIOUSLY ESTABLISHED AN INTERNET GAMING ACCOUNT 8
TO ACCESS THE ACCOUNT ONLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF VIEWING AND DOWNLOADING 9
THE INDIVIDUAL’S TRANSACTION HISTORY. 10

(5) THE COMMISSION MAY IMPOSE SANCTIONS ON A LICEN SEE IN 11
ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SUBTITLE IF THE LICE NSEE KNOWINGLY FAILS TO 12
EXCLUDE AN INDIVIDUAL ON THE VOLUNTARY EXCLUSION LIST FROM ENGAGING IN 13
INTERNET GAMING. 14

(F) AT LEAST ONCE EACH YEAR, EACH INTERNET GAMING LICENSEE SHALL 15
REPORT TO THE COMMISSION ON: 16

(1) THE NUMBER OF PLAYER S THAT THE INTERNET GAMING 17
LICENSEE HAS IDENTIF IED AS ENGAGING IN E RRATIC OR INCREASED GAMBLING 18
BEHAVIOR; AND 19

(2) THE NUMBER AND LENGT H OF ANY BANS OR SUS PENSIONS IN 20
RESPONSE TO THE BEHAVIOR DESCRIBED UNDER ITEM (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION. 21

9–1F–07. 22

(A) THE COMMISSION MAY IMPOSE A PENALTY NOT EXCEEDING $1,000,000 23
AGAINST ANY PERSON WHO KNOWINGLY: 24

(1) TAMPERS WITH SOFTWARE, COMPUTERS, OR OTHER EQUIPMENT 25
USED TO CONDUCT INTERNET GAMING TO ALTER THE ODDS OR THE PAYOUT OF A 26
GAME OR DISABLE THE GAME FROM OPERATING ACCORDING TO THE RULES OF THE 27
GAME AS ADOPTED BY THE COMMISSION; OR 28

(2) OFFERS OR ALLOWS TO BE OFFERED ANY INTERNET GAME THAT 29
HAS BEEN TAMPERED WITH IN A WAY THAT AFFECTS THE ODDS OR THE PAYOUT OF 30
A GAME OR HAS BEEN D ISABLED FROM OPERATING ACCORDING TO THE RULES OF 31
THE GAME AS ADOPTED BY THE COMMISSION. 32

HOUSE BILL 1343 23

(B) IN ADDITION TO ANY PE NALTIES IMPOSED UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OF 1
THIS SECTION, THE COMMISSION MAY SUSPEND, FOR NOT LESS THAN 30 DAYS, THE 2
LICENSE OF AN INTERNET GAMING LICENSEE OR ANY OTHER PERSON REQUIRED TO 3
BE LICENSED UNDER TH IS SUBTITLE WHO IS I N VIOLATION OF SUBSE CTION (A) OF 4
THIS SECTION. 5

9–1F–08. 6

ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1 EACH YEAR , THE MARYLAND CENTER OF 7
EXCELLENCE ON PROBLEM GAMBLING SHALL REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND, IN 8
ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THIS ARTICLE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON: 9

(1) THE IMPACT OF INTERNET GAMING ON PROBLEM GAMBLERS AND 10
GAMBLING ADDICTION IN THE STATE; AND 11

(2) THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE STAT UTORY AND REGULATORY 12
CONTROLS IN PLACE TO ENSURE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MEASURES TO PROTECT 13
VULNERABLE AND PROBLEM GAMBLERS. 14

9–1F–09. 15

(A) ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1 EACH YEAR , AN INTERNET GAMING 16
LICENSEE SHALL PROVI DE ALL TRANSACTIONAL DATA AND METRICS RELATED TO 17
INTERNET GAMING CONDUCTED IN THE STATE AND ACQUIRED BY AN OPERATOR OF 18
THE LICENSEE ON A MONTHLY, QUARTERLY, OR ANNUAL BASIS TO MORGAN STATE 19
UNIVERSITY AND BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY. 20

(B) THE TRANSACTIONAL DATA AND METRICS PROVID ED IN ACCORDANCE 21
WITH SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION SHAL L EXCLUDE ANY PERSON ALLY 22
IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION. 23

9–1F–10. 24

(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 25
INDICATED. 26

(2) “AUTHORIZED INTERACTIV E GAME ” MEANS ANY 27
INTERNET–BASED VERSION , OR SUBSTANTIAL EQUIVALE NT, OF A TABLE GAME , 28
POKER TOURNAMENT , GAMING TOURNAMENT , OR ANY OTHER GAME TY PICALLY 29
OFFERED IN A CASINO AND APPROVED BY THE COMMISSION, INCLUDING GAMES IN 30
WHICH INDIVIDUALS WA GER MONEY OR SOMETHI NG OF MONETARY VALUE AND 31
THAT ARE ACCESSED BY A COMPUTER OR MOBILE DEVICE THAT IS CONNECTED TO 32
THE INTERNET. 33

24 HOUSE BILL 1343

(3) (I) “LIVE DEALER GAME ” MEANS AN AUTHORIZED 1
INTERACTIVE GAME CON DUCTED BY LIVE STUDI O DEALERS OR OTHER P HYSICAL 2
GAMING EQUIPMENT, SUCH AS AN AUTOMATED ROULETTE WHEEL, BALL BLOWER, 3
OR GAMING DEVICE , OR BOTH , IN A LIVE GAME ENVIR ONMENT IN WHICH THE 4
AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANTS HAVE THE ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN GAME PLAY AND 5
COMMUNICATE GAME DECISIONS THROUGH AN AUTHORIZED INTERACTIVE GAMING 6
PLATFORM. 7

(II) “LIVE DEALER GAME” INCLUDES A LIVE CARD GAME, A LIVE 8
TABLE GAME, AND ANY OTHER LIVE AUTHORIZED INTERACTIVE GAME. 9

(4) “LIVE GAMING STUDIO ” MEANS A PHYSICAL LOC ATION IN THE 10
STATE THAT UTILIZES L IVE VIDEO STREAMING TECHNOLOGY TO PROVID E 11
AUTHORIZED INTERACTIVE GAMES TO A PLAYER’S INTERACTIVE GAMING DEVICE OR 12
MULTI–USE COMPUTING DEVICE. 13

(5) “LIVE STUDIO DEALER” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO: 14

(I) LEADS A TABLE GAME , INCLUDING BLACKJACK , CRAPS, 15
POKER, ROULETTE, OR ANY OTHER AUTHORI ZED INTERACTIVE GAME , WHILE 16
ASSISTING AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANTS WITH GAME–RELATED NEEDS; 17

(II) DISTRIBUTES VIRTUAL CARDS, DICE, OR OTHER 18
EQUIPMENT TO AUTHORI ZED PARTICIPANTS ACC ORDING TO THE TABLE GAME OR 19
AUTHORIZED INTERACTIVE GAME; AND 20

(III) MONITORS GAME PACE AND PLAY. 21

(B) SUBJECT TO APPROVAL B Y THE COMMISSION, AN INTERNET GAMING 22
LICENSEE MAY OFFER A UTHORIZED INTERACTIV E GAMES , INCLUDING GAMING 23
TOURNAMENTS IN WHICH PLAYERS COMPETE AGAI NST ONE ANOTHER IN O NE OR 24
MORE OF THE GAMES AUTHORIZED UNDER THIS SUBTITLE OR BY THE COMMISSION 25
OR IN APPROVED VARIATIONS OR COMPOSITES OF THOSE GAMES. 26

(C) AN INTERNET GAMING OPERATOR MAY USE LIVE STU DIO DEALERS TO 27
ADMINISTER AN AUTHORIZED INTERACTIVE GAME. 28

(D) A LIVE GAMING STUDIO U SED TO CONDUCT A LIV E DEALER GAME 29
AUTHORIZED UNDER THIS SECTION: 30

(1) SHALL BE LOCATED WITHIN THE STATE; OR 31

HOUSE BILL 1343 25

(2) IF THE INTERNET GAMING LICEN SEE IS A VIDEO LOTTE RY 1
OPERATOR, SHALL BE LOCATED WIT HIN THE COUNTY WITHI N WHICH THE VIDEO 2
LOTTERY FACILITY IS LOCATED. 3

9–1F–11. 4

(A) IN THIS SECTION , “GOVERNMENT” MEANS ANY GOVERNMENT AL UNIT, 5
OTHER THAN THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT, OF A NATIONAL, STATE, OR LOCAL 6
BODY EXERCISING GOVERNMENTAL FUNCTIONS. 7

(B) ON RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMISSION, THE GOVERNOR, ON 8
BEHALF OF THE STATE, IS AUTHORIZED TO: 9

(1) ENTER INTO AN AGREEM ENT WITH OTHER GOVER NMENTS, 10
SUBJECT TO THE LIMITATIONS OF THIS SECTION, THAT ALLOWS AND PROVIDES FOR 11
PARTICIPATION IN MUL TIJURISDICTIONAL INTERNET GAMING BY IN DIVIDUALS 12
WHO ARE PHYSICALLY L OCATED IN JURISDICTI ONS OVER WHICH THE 13
GOVERNMENTS THAT ARE A PARTY TO THE AGREE MENT EXERC ISE LEGAL 14
AUTHORITY; AND 15

(2) TAKE ALL NECESSARY A CTIONS TO ENSURE THA T ANY 16
AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO UNDER THIS SECTION BECOMES EFFECTIVE. 17

(C) THE COMMISSION MAY ADOPT REGULATIONS UNDER TH IS SECTION 18
THAT PROVIDE FOR: 19

(1) THE FORM, LENGTH, AND TERMS OF AN AGREEMENT AUTHORIZED 20
UNDER THIS SECTION; 21

(2) MATTERS RELATING TO THE TAXATION OF INTERNET GAMING 22
REVENUE BY THE PARTIES TO THE AGREEMENT; 23

(3) THE SHARING AND DIST RIBUTION OF INTERNET GAMING 24
REVENUE AMONG THE PARTIES TO THE AGREEMENT; 25

(4) RESOLUTION OF PLAYER DISPUTES; 26

(5) THE INFORMATION THAT A GOVERNMENT PROPOSING TO ENTER 27
INTO THE AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE MUST PROVIDE TO THE COMMISSION; 28

(6) THE MANNER AND PROCE DURE FOR HEARINGS CO NDUCTED BY 29
THE COMMISSION WITH RESPE CT TO ANY AGREEMENT AUTHORIZED UNDER THI S 30
SECTION; 31

26 HOUSE BILL 1343

(7) THE INFORMATION THAT THE COMMISSION MUST PROVI DE TO 1
THE GOVERNOR THAT SUPPORT S THE RECOMMENDATION S OF THE COMMISSION 2
MADE UNDER THIS SECTION; AND 3

(8) ANY OTHER PROVISION NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THIS SECTION. 4

(D) THE GOVERNOR MAY NOT ENTE R INTO AN AGREEMENT UNDER THIS 5
SECTION UNLESS THE AGREEMENT INCLUDES TERMS: 6

(1) FOR ANY POTENTIAL AR RANGEMENT FOR THE SH ARING OF 7
REVENUES BY THE PARTIES TO THE AGREEMENT; 8

(2) PERMITTING THE EFFECTIVE REGULATION OF INTERNET GAMING 9
BY THE STATE, INCLUDING PROVISIONS RELATING TO LICENSIN G, TECHNICAL 10
STANDARDS TO BE FOLL OWED, RESOLUTION OF DISPUT ES BY PATRONS , 11
REQUIREMENTS FOR BAN KROLLS, ENFORCEMENT, ACCOUNTING, AND 12
MAINTENANCE OF RECORDS; 13

(3) BY WHICH EACH PARTY TO THE AGREEMENT AGREES TO PROHIBIT 14
OPERATORS OF INTERNET GAMING, SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND MANUFACTURERS OR 15
DISTRIBUTORS OF INTERNET GAMING SYSTEMS FROM ENGAGING IN ANY ACTIVITY 16
PERMITTED UNDER THE AGREEMENT UNLESS THO SE PERSONS ARE LICEN SED OR 17
FOUND SUITABLE: 18

(I) UNDER THIS SUBTITLE; OR 19

(II) BY ANY OTHER PARTY T O THE AGREEMENT UNDE R 20
REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE MATERIALLY CONSISTENT WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF 21
THIS SUBTITLE; 22

(4) PROHIBITING VARIATIO N OR DEROGATION FROM THE 23
REQUIREMENTS OF THE AGREEMENT FOR ANY PARTY TO THE AGREEMENT ABSENT 24
THE CONSENT OF ALL PARTIES TO THE AGREEMENT; 25

(5) PROHIBITING ANY SUBORDINATE OR SIDE AGREEMENTS, EXCEPT 26
WITH RESPECT TO SHAR ING OF REVENUES , AMONG ANY SUBSET OF THE 27
GOVERNMENTS THAT ARE PARTIES TO THE AGREEMENT; AND 28

(6) IF THE AGREEMENT ALLOWS PER SONS PHYSICALLY LOCATED IN 29
THE STATE TO PARTICIPATE IN INTERNET GAMING CONDUCTED BY ANOTHER PARTY 30
TO THE AGREEMENT OR AN OPERATOR OF INTERNET GAMING LICEN SED BY THE 31
OTHER PARTY, REQUIRING THAT PARTY TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN REGULATORY 32
REQUIREMENTS GOVERNING INTERNET GAMING THAT ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE 33
REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SUBTITLE IN ALL MATERIAL RESPECTS. 34
HOUSE BILL 1343 27

9–1F–12. 1

(A) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 1 EACH YEAR , THE COMMISSION SHALL 2
REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND, IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THIS ARTICLE, 3
TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON: 4

(1) THE OPERATION OF INTERNET GAMING IN THE STATE; AND 5

(2) THE IMPACT OF INTERNET GAMING ON VI DEO LOTTERY 6
FACILITIES, OTHER GAMING VENUES , AND ANCILLARY BUSINE SSES THAT 7
SURROUND THOSE VIDEO LOTTERY FACILITIES AND GAMING VENUES. 8

(B) THE COMMISSION SHALL: 9

(1) STUDY THE IMPACTS OF OTHER ONLINE FORMS O F 10
UNAUTHORIZED GAMING CONTENT THAT IS SIMI LAR TO INTERNET GAMING, SUCH 11
AS PLATFORMS THAT USE MICROTRANSACTIONS OR ONLINE SWEEPSTAKES; AND 12

(2) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2029, REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR 13
AND, IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THIS ARTICLE , TO THE GENERAL 14
ASSEMBLY ON ITS FINDINGS AND ANY RECOMMENDATIONS. 15

9–1F–13. 16

(A) IN THIS SECTION , “FUND” MEANS THE VIDEO LOTTERY FACILITY 17
EMPLOYEE DISPLACEMENT FUND. 18

(B) THERE IS A VIDEO LOTTERY FACILITY EMPLOYEE DISPLACEMENT 19
FUND. 20

(C) THE PURPOSE OF THE FUND IS TO SUPPORT VIDEO LOTTERY FACILITY 21
EMPLOYEES THAT ARE D ISPLACED BY THE IMPL EMENTATION OF INTERNET 22
GAMING. 23

(D) THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF LABOR SHALL ADMINI STER THE 24
FUND. 25

(E) (1) THE FUND IS A SPECIAL , NONLAPSING FUND THAT IS NOT 26
SUBJECT TO § 7–302 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE. 27

(2) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL HOLD THE FUND SEPARATELY , 28
AND THE COMPTROLLER SHALL ACCOUNT FOR THE FUND. 29

28 HOUSE BILL 1343

(F) THE FUND CONSISTS OF: 1

(1) REVENUE DISTRIBUTED TO THE FUND UNDER § 9–1F–05(B)(2)(I) 2
OF THIS SUBTITLE; 3

(2) MONEY APPROPRIATED IN THE STATE BUDGET TO THE FUND; AND 4

(3) ANY OTHER MONEY FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE ACC EPTED FOR 5
THE BENEFIT OF THE FUND. 6

(G) THE FUND MAY BE USED ONLY: 7

(1) FOR ADMINISTRATIVE E XPENSES RELATED TO A DMINISTRATION 8
OF THE FUND; 9

(2) FOR GRANTS TO FORMER VIDEO LOTTERY FACILITY EMPLOYEES 10
DISPLACED BY THE IMP LEMENTATION OF INTERNET GAMING TO OF FSET ANY 11
REDUCTION IN THE TAKE–HOME PAY OF THE FORMER EMPLOYEES; 12

(3) TO SUPPLEMENT UNEMPL OYMENT INSURANCE PAY MENTS 13
RECEIVED BY FORMER V IDEO LOTTERY FACILIT Y EMPLOYEES DISPLACE D BY THE 14
IMPLEMENTATION OF INTERNET GAMING; 15

(4) TO ESTABLISH JOB TRA INING PROGRAMS FOR F ORMER VIDEO 16
LOTTERY FACIL ITY EMPLOYEES DISPLA CED BY THE IMPLEMENT ATION OF 17
INTERNET GAMING; AND 18

(5) FOR ANY OTHER PROGRA M ESTABLISHED BY THE MARYLAND 19
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR TO ASSIST FORMER VIDEO LOTTERY FACILITY EMPLOYEES 20
DISPLACED BY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF INTERNET GAMING. 21

(H) (1) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL INVEST THE MONEY OF THE FUND 22
IN THE SAME MANNER AS OTHER STATE MONEY MAY BE INVESTED. 23

(2) ANY INTEREST EARNINGS OF THE FUND SHALL BE CREDITED TO 24
THE GENERAL FUND OF THE STATE. 25

(I) EXPENDITURES FROM THE FUND MAY BE MADE ONLY IN ACCORDANCE 26
WITH THE STATE BUDGET. 27

(J) THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF LABOR SHALL ADOPT REGULATIONS 28
TO IMPLEMENT THIS SECTION. 29

HOUSE BILL 1343 29

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That § 5 –235(a) of the Education 1
Article, as enacted by Section 1 of this Act, may not be construed to reduce overall funding 2
appropriated by a county governing body based on that section of law as it existed before 3
the enactment of this Act. 4

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That: 5

(a) In accordance with Article XIX, § 1(e) of th e Maryland Constitution, before 6
this Act, which authorizes additional forms or expansion of commercial gaming, becomes 7
effective, a question substantially similar to the following shall be submitted to a 8
referendum of the qualified voters of the State at t he general election to be held in 9
November 2026: 10

“Do you favor the expansion of commercial gaming in the State of Maryland to 11
authorize Internet gaming for the primary purpose of raising revenue for education?” 12

(b) The State Board of Elections shall do those things necessary and proper to 13
provide for and hold the referendum required by this section. If a majority of the votes cast 14
on the question are “For the referred law”, this Act shall become effective on the 30th day 15
following the official canvass of votes for the referendum, but if a majority of the votes cast 16
on the question are “Against the referred law”, this Act, with no further action required by 17
the General Assembly, shall be null and void. 18

SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, subject to Section 3 of this 19
Act and for the sole purpose of providing for the referendum required by Section 3 of this 20
Act, this Act shall take effect July 1, 2026. 21