Internet Poker Authorization and Regulation Act of 2026

EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*sb0884*

SENATE BILL 884
C7 6lr2297

By: Senator Watson
Introduced and read first time: February 6, 2026
Assigned to: Budget and Taxation

A BILL ENTITLED

AN ACT concerning 1

Internet Poker Authorization and Regulation Act of 2026 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 skill–based gaming operations in the State; requiring the Commission to 5
regulate Internet skill–based gaming and the conduct of Internet skill–based gaming 6
in the State; authorizing the Governor, on recommendation of the Commission, to 7
enter into certain multijurisdictional Internet skill–based gaming agreements with 8
certain other governments, subject to certain limitations; and generally relating to 9
Internet skill–based gaming. 10

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 11
Article – Economic Development 12
Section 5–1501(b) 13
Annotated Code of Maryland 14
(2024 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 15

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 16
Article – Economic Development 17
Section 5–1501(c)(1) 18
Annotated Code of Maryland 19
(2024 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 20

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 21
Article – Education 22
Section 5–206(b) 23
Annotated Code of Maryland 24
(2025 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 25

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 26
Article – Education 27
2 SENATE BILL 884

Section 5–206(f) 1
Annotated Code of Maryland 2
(2025 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 3

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 4
Article – State Government 5
Section 9–1A–28(a) and 9–1A–29(a) 6
Annotated Code of Maryland 7
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 8

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 9
Article – State Government 10
Section 9–1A–28(b)(1) and 9–1A–29(b)(1) 11
Annotated Code of Maryland 12
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 13

BY adding to 14
Article – State Government 15
Section 9–1F–01 through 9–1F–12 to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 1F. Internet 16
Poker and Skill–Based Gaming” 17
Annotated Code of Maryland 18
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 19

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL AS SEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 20
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 21

Article – Economic Development 22

5–1501. 23

(b) There is a Small, Minority, and Women–Owned Businesses Account under the 24
authority of the Department. 25

(c) (1) The Account shall receive money as required under [§ 9 –1A–27] §§ 26
9–1A–27 AND 9–1F–05 of the State Government Article. 27

Article – Education 28

5–206. 29

(b) There is the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund. 30

(f) The Fund consists of: 31

(1) Revenue distributed to the Fund under Title 9, Subtitles 1D [and 1E] 32
THROUGH 1F of the State Government Article and §§ 2 –4A–02, 2–605.1, and 2 –1303 of 33
the Tax – General Article; 34
SENATE BILL 884 3

(2) Money appropriated in the State budget for the Fund; and 1

(3) Interest earned by the Academic Excellence Fund established under § 2
6–1105 of this article; and 3

(4) Any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the 4
Fund. 5

Article – State Government 6

9–1A–28. 7

(a) There is a Purse Dedication Account unde r the authority of the State Racing 8
Commission. 9

(b) (1) The Account shall receive money as required under § 9 –1A–27 of this 10
subtitle AND § 9–1F–05 OF THIS TITLE. 11

9–1A–29. 12

(a) There is a Racetrack Facility Renewal Account under the authority of the 13
State Racing Commission. 14

(b) (1) The Account shall receive money as required under § 9 –1A–27 of this 15
subtitle AND § 9–1F–05 OF THIS TITLE for the first 16 years of operations at each video 16
lottery facility. 17

SUBTITLE 1F. INTERNET POKER AND SKILL–BASED GAMING. 18

9–1F–01. 19

(A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 20
INDICATED. 21

(B) “COMMISSION” MEANS THE STATE LOTTERY AND GAMING CONTROL 22
COMMISSION. 23

(C) “ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED AREA” MEANS A GEOGRAPHIC AREA 24
IDENTIFIED BY THE COMMISSION THAT MEETS THREE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING 25
CRITERIA: 26

(1) HAS A MEDIAN INCOME RATE THAT IS 80% OR LESS OF THE 27
AVERAGE MEDIAN HOUSE HOLD INCOME OF THE S TATE WITHIN WHICH TH E 28
GEOGRAPHIC AREA IS LOCATED; 29

4 SENATE BILL 884

(2) HAS AN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE THAT IS AT LEAS T 150% OF THE 1
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE OF THE STATE WITHIN WHI CH THE GEOGRAPHIC AR EA IS 2
LOCATED; 3

(3) HAS AN UNINSURED RATE THAT IS AT LEAST 150% OF THE HEALTH 4
UNINSURED RATE OF TH E STATE WITHIN WHICH THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA IS 5
LOCATED; 6

(4) HAS A SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 7
PARTICIPATION RATE THAT IS AT LEAST 150% OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION 8
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PARTICIPATION RATE OF THE STATE WI THIN WHICH THE 9
GEOGRAPHIC AREA IS LOCATED; AND 10

(5) HAS A POVERTY RATE T HAT IS AT LEAST 150% OF THE POVERTY 11
RATE IN THE STATE WITHIN WHICH THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA IS LOCATED. 12

(D) “INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING” MEANS SKILL–BASED GAMING 13
THROUGH AN ONLINE GAMING SYSTEM: 14

(1) ON A COMPUTER, A MOBILE DEVICE, OR ANY OTHER INTERACTIVE 15
DEVICE; AND 16

(2) THAT IS CONDUCTED BY AN INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING 17
LICENSEE OR A PERSON WHO OPERATES INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING ON 18
BEHALF OF AN INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSEE. 19

(E) “INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSE” MEANS A LICENSE ISSUED 20
BY THE COMMISSION TO CONDUCT INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING IN THE STATE 21
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SUBTITLE. 22

(F) “INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSEE” MEANS THE HOLDER OF 23
AN INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSE UNDER THIS SUBTITLE. 24

(G) “INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING OPERATOR” MEANS AN ENTITY THAT 25
HOLDS A LICENSE ISSUED BY THE COMMISSION UNDER THIS SUBTITLE TO CONDUCT 26
AND OPERATE INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING ON BEHALF OF AN INTERNET 27
SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSEE. 28

(H) “MOBILE SPORTS WAGERING LICENSEE” HAS THE MEANING STATED IN 29
§ 9–1E–01 OF THIS TITLE. 30

(I) “PROCEEDS” MEANS THE AMOUNT OF MONEY: 31

SENATE BILL 884 5

(1) RETAINED BY AN INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSEE OR 1
OPERATOR FOR OPERATING AN INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAME; AND 2

(2) BET ON INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING, LESS: 3

(I) THE AMOUNT RETURNED TO SUCCESSFUL PLAYERS; AND 4

(II) THE CASH EQUIVALENTS OF ANY MERCHANDISE O R THING 5
OF VALUE AWARDED AS A PRIZE TO SUCCESSFUL PLAYERS. 6

(J) (1) “SKILL–BASED GAME ” MEANS A GAME WHERE THE PLAYER ’S 7
STRATEGY, ABILITIES, AND DECISIONS SUBSTANTIALLY INFLUENCE THE OUTCOME 8
OF THE GAME. 9

(2) “SKILL–BASED GAME” INCLUDES: 10

(I) POKER; AND 11

(II) ANY GAME , SUCH AS BACKGAMMON O R CHESS , THAT THE 12
COMMISSION DETERMINES IS A SKILL–BASED GAME. 13

(K) “SPORTS WAGERING FACILITY LICENSEE” HAS THE MEANING STATED IN 14
§ 9–1E–01 OF THIS TITLE. 15

(L) “VIDEO LOTTERY FACILIT Y” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–1A–01 16
OF THIS TITLE. 17

(M) “VIDEO LOTTERY OPERATOR” HAS THE MEANING STATED IN § 9–1A–01 18
OF THIS TITLE. 19

9–1F–02. 20

(A) (1) THIS SUBTITLE AUTHORIZES AN INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING 21
LICENSEE TO CONDUCT AND OPERATE INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING IN THE 22
STATE AS PROVIDED IN THIS SUBTITLE. 23

(2) AN INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSEE MAY ENTER INTO 24
AN AGREEMENT WITH UP TO ONE INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING OPERATOR. 25

(B) EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THIS SUBTITLE, THE COMMISSION 26
SHALL REGULATE INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING AND THE CONDU CT OF 27
INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING T O THE SAME EXTENT TH AT THE COMMISSION 28
REGULATES THE OPERAT ION OF VIDEO LOTTERY TERMINALS AND TABLE GAMES 29
6 SENATE BILL 884

UNDER SUBTITLE 1A OF THIS TITLE AND MO BILE SPORTS WAGERING UNDER 1
SUBTITLE 1E OF THIS TITLE. 2

(C) UNLESS THE CONTEXT RE QUIRES OTHERWISE , THE REQUIREMEN TS 3
UNDER §§ 9–1A–04, 9–1A–06, 9–1A–07, 9–1A–08, 9–1A–12, 9–1A–14, 9–1A–18, 4
9–1A–19, 9–1A–20, AND 9–1A–25 OF THIS TITLE APPLY TO THE AUTHORITY, DUTIES, 5
AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMISSION, AN INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING 6
LICENSEE, AND AN EMPLOYEE OR A CONTRACTOR OF AN INTERNET SKILL–BASED 7
GAMING LICENSEE UNDER THIS SUBTITLE. 8

(D) (1) THE FOLLOWING SHALL BE LICENSED UNDER THIS SUBTITLE: 9

(I) A PERSON THAT CONDUC TS INTERNET SKILL–BASED 10
GAMING; 11

(II) A PERSON THAT CONDUC TS INTERNET SKILL–BASED 12
GAMING ON BEHALF OF AN INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSEE, INCLUDING 13
AN INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING OPERATOR; 14

(III) A LIVE STUDIO DEALER , AS DEFINED UNDER § 9–1F–10 OF 15
THIS SUBTITLE; 16

(IV) A PERSON NOT LICENSE D UNDER ITEM (I), (II), OR (III) OF 17
THIS PARAGRAPH THAT MANAGES, OPERATES, SUPPLIES, PROVIDES SECURITY FOR, 18
OR PROVIDES SERVICE , MAINTENANCE, OR REPAIRS FOR AN INTERNET 19
SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSEE; AND 20

(V) AN INDIVIDUAL DIRECT LY EMPLOYED IN THE O PERATION 21
OF INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING BY AN INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING 22
LICENSEE IF THE INDIVIDUAL DOES NOT OTHERWISE HOLD A VALID LICENSE UNDER 23
SUBTITLE 1A OF THIS TITLE. 24

(2) THE COMMISSION MAY BY REGULATION REQUIRE A PERSON THAT 25
CONTRACTS WITH A LIC ENSEE AND THE PERSON ’S EMPLOYEES TO OBTAIN A 26
LICENSE UNDER THIS S UBTITLE IF THE COMMISSION DETERMINES THAT THE 27
LICENSING REQUIREMENTS ARE NECESSARY IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC 28
INTEREST AND ACCOMPLISH THE POLICIES ESTABLISHED BY THIS SUBTITLE. 29

(3) SUBJECT TO THE LIMITA TIONS OF THIS S UBTITLE, THE 30
COMMISSION MAY CHARGE A FEE FOR A LICENSE ISSUED UNDER THIS SUBTITLE. 31

(E) (1) THE COMMISSION MAY NOT IS SUE A LICENSE TO A P ERSON 32
DESCRIBED UNDER SUBS ECTION (D)(1)(II) OR (IV) OF THIS SECTION IF T HE 33
APPLICANT OR ANY OF THE APPLICANT’S AFFILIATES, INCLUDING AN ENTITY UNDER 34
SENATE BILL 884 7

COMMON CONTROL , IS KNOWINGLY ACCEPTI NG REVENUE THAT IS D IRECTLY OR 1
INDIRECTLY DERIVED FROM: 2

(I) A JURISDICTION ON TH E BLACK LIST OF MONEY 3
LAUNDERING COUNTRIES ESTABLISHED BY THE FINANCIAL ACTION TASK FORCE; 4

(II) A JUR ISDICTION DESIGNATED AS A STATE SPONSOR OF 5
TERRORISM BY THE UNITED STATES; OR 6

(III) A JURISDICTION IN WH ICH ONLINE CASINO GA MING IS 7
PROHIBITED AND THE REVENUE IS DERIVED FROM ONLINE CASINO GAMING IN THAT 8
JURISDICTION. 9

(2) THE COMMISSION MAY REVOKE THE LICENSE OF A PER SON 10
DESCRIBED UNDER SUBS ECTION (D)(1)(II) OR (IV) OF THIS SECTION IF T HE 11
COMMISSION DETERMINES THAT: 12

(I) THE LICENSE HOLDER O R ANY OF THE LICENSE HOLDER’S 13
AFFILIATES, INCLUDING AN ENTITY UNDER COMMON CONTROL , IS KNOWINGLY 14
ACCEPTING REVENUE THAT IS DIRE CTLY OR INDIRECTLY D ERIVED FROM A 15
JURISDICTION DESCRIBED UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION; AND 16

(II) AFTER NOTICE AND OPP ORTUNITY FOR A HEARI NG, IT 17
WOULD FURTHER THE PUBLIC INTEREST TO DISCONTINUE THE OPERATIONS OF THE 18
LICENSE HOLDER IN THE STATE. 19

(3) (I) 1. IN THIS PARAGRAPH THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE 20
THE MEANINGS INDICATED. 21

2. “ILLEGAL INTERACTIVE G AMING MARKET” MEANS A 22
JURISDICTION IN WHIC H INTERACTIVE GAMING IS PROHIBITED BY THE LAWS OF 23
THAT JURISDICTION. 24

3. “INTERACTIVE GAME CONT ENT” MEANS HARDWARE, 25
SOFTWARE, APPLICATIONS, AND SERVERS USED TO OPERATE, CONDUCT, OR OFFER 26
INTERACTIVE GAMBLING GAMES. 27

(II) THE COMMISSION SHALL REQU IRE A PERSON DESCRIB ED 28
UNDER SUBSECTION (D)(1)(II) OR (IV) OF THIS SUBSECTION, ON APPLICATION FOR 29
A LICENSE AND ANNUALLY FOLLOWING THE ISSUANCE OF A LICENSE, TO SUBMIT A 30
DISCLOSURE STATING THE JURISDICTIONS IN WHICH THE APPLICANT OR LICENSE 31
HOLDER OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE APPLICANT OR LICENSE HOLDER, DURING THE 32
IMMEDIATELY PRECEDIN G 12–MONTH PERIOD , DIRECTLY OR INDIRECT LY 33
8 SENATE BILL 884

ACCEPTED REVENUE FRO M THE SUPPLY OF INTE RACTIVE GAME CONTENT IN AN 1
ILLEGAL INTERACTIVE GAMING MARKET. 2

(III) A MATERIAL MISREPRESEN TATION OR OMISSION O N THE 3
DISCLOSURE REQUIRED UNDER SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF THIS PARAGRAPH MA Y, IN 4
THE DISCRETION OF THE COMMISSION, RESULT IN THE DENIAL OF AN APPLICATION 5
FOR A LICENSE UNDER THIS SUBTITLE OR , IN THE CASE OF A LIC ENSE HOLDER , 6
DISCIPLINARY ACTION, INCLUDING A SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF THE LICENSE 7
AND PENALTIES FOR OFFICERS OR BOARD MEMBERS OF THE LICENSE HOLDER. 8

(F) (1) (I) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF THIS 9
PARAGRAPH AND SUBJEC T TO PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THE 10
COMMISSION SHALL DETE RMINE THE TYPE OF SK ILL–BASED GAMES THAT AN 11
INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSEE MAY OFFER. 12

(II) THE COMMISSION SHALL ALLOW AN INTERNET 13
SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSEE TO OFFER POKER GAMES. 14

(2) (I) THE COMMISSION SHALL PROVIDE NOTICE OF ITS IN TENT 15
TO ALLOW AN ADDITION AL TYPE OF INTERNET SKILL –BASED GAME TO THE 16
LEGISLATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE. 17

(II) THE COMMISSION MAY ALLOW THE ADDITIONAL TYPE OF 18
INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAME: 19

1. ON RECEIPT OF WRITTE N COMMENT FROM THE 20
LEGISLATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE; OR 21

2. 45 DAYS AFTER THE NOTIC E WAS RECEIVED BY THE 22
LEGISLATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE. 23

(G) THE COMMISSION SHALL ADOPT REGULATIONS THAT ESTABLISH: 24

(1) THE FORM AND CONTENT OF AN APPLICATION FOR ANY LICENSE 25
REQUIRED UNDER THIS SUBTITLE; 26

(2) STANDARDS, PROCEDURES, AND RULES THAT GOVER N THE 27
CONDUCT AND OPERATION OF INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING; AND 28

(3) ANY OTHER REGULATION NECESSARY TO CARRY O UT THE 29
PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBTITLE. 30

9–1F–03. 31

SENATE BILL 884 9

(A) IT IS THE INTENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT THIS SUBTITLE BE 1
IMPLEMENTED IN A MAN NER THAT , TO THE EXTENT PERMIT TED BY STATE AND 2
FEDERAL LAW , MAXIMIZES THE ABILIT Y OF MINORITIES , WOMEN, AND 3
MINORITY– AND WOMEN–OWNED BUSINESSES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE INTERNET 4
SKILL–BASED GAMING INDUSTRY , INCLUDING THROUGH TH E OWNERSHIP OF 5
ENTITIES LICENSED TO CONDUCT INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING. 6

(B) (1) IN THIS SUBSECTION, “MAJORITY MINORITY–OWNED APPLICANT 7
OR JOINT VENTURE APP LICANT” MEANS AN APPLICANT F OR AN INTERNET 8
SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSE UNDER THIS SUBTITLE IN WHICH: 9

(I) ONE OR MORE INDIVIDU ALS OR ENTITIES CERTIFIED A S 10
MINORITY BUSINESS EN TERPRISES UNDER TITLE 14, SUBTITLE 3 OF THE STATE 11
FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, OWN AT LEAST 12
51% OF THE EQUITY INTERESTS IN THE APPLICANT; OR 13

(II) IN THE CASE OF A JOINT VENTURE, ONE OR MORE ENTITIES 14
DESCRIBED UNDER ITEM (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, OWN 15
AT LEAST 51% OF THE EQUITY INTERESTS IN THE JOINT VENTURE. 16

(2) (I) THE COMMISSION MAY ISSUE AN INTERNET SKILL–BASED 17
GAMING LICENSE TO: 18

1. A VIDEO LOTTERY OPERATOR; 19

2. A SPORTS WAGERING FA CILITY LICENSEE OR A 20
MOBILE SPORTS WAGERING LICENSEE; 21

3. AN APPLICANT THAT EMPLOYS AT LEAST 100 22
EMPLOYEES IN THE STATE ON A FULL–TIME OR 23
FULL–TIME EQUIVALENT BASIS; AND 24

4. A MAJORITY MINORITY–OWNED APPLICANT OR JOINT 25
VENTURE. 26

(II) AN APPLICANT THAT HOL DS MORE THAN ONE LIC ENSE 27
UNDER SUBTITLE 1A OR SUBTITLE 1E OF THIS TITLE MAY AP PLY FOR ONLY A 28
SINGLE INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSE. 29

(III) IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER FACTORS ESTABLISHED BY THE 30
COMMISSION BY REGULAT ION, THE COMMISSION SHALL REVI EW APPLICATIONS 31
FOR INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSES UNDE R THIS PARAGRAPH BASED 32
ON: 33

10 SENATE BILL 884

1. THE APPLICANT ’S FINANCIAL STABILITY, 1
RESOURCES, INTEGRITY, AND BUSINESS ABILITY AND ACUMEN; 2

2. THE APPLICANT ’S WORKFORCE DEVELOPM ENT 3
PLANS FOR INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING INDUSTRY EMPLOYEES IN THE STATE; 4

3. THE APPLICANT ’S PLANS FOR EMPLOYIN G 5
INDIVIDUALS IN THE INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING INDUSTRY WHO RESIDE IN 6
ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED AREAS; AND 7

4. THE APPLICANT’S RESPONSIBLE GAMING PROGRAMS 8
AND AN EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE AND COMPLIANCE PROGRAM. 9

(3) (I) THE COMMISSION MAY CONTRACT WITH A CONSULTANT TO 10
ASSIST THE COMMISSION WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTERNET SKILL–BASED 11
GAMING LICENSE APPLICATION AND THE REVIEW OF APPLICANTS. 12

(II) AS PART OF THE REVIEW OF AN APPLICATION FO R AN 13
INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSE, THE COMMISSION SHALL DETE RMINE 14
WHETHER THE ISSUANCE OF A LICENS E TO THE APPLICANT S ERVES THE PUBLIC 15
INTEREST. 16

(4) (I) THE INITIAL LICENSE FEE FOR AN INTERNET SKILL–BASED 17
GAMING LICENSE IS: 18

1. $1,000,000; OR 19

2. $500,000 FOR A MAJORITY MINORITY –OWNED 20
APPLICANT OR JOINT VENTURE APPLICANT. 21

(II) THE TERM OF AN INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSE 22
IS 5 YEARS. 23

(5) (I) ON APPLICATION BY AN INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING 24
LICENSEE AND PAYMENT OF A LICENSE RENEWAL FEE UNDER SUBPARAGRAPH (II) 25
OF THIS PARAGRAPH, THE COMMISSION SHALL RENEW FOR 5 YEARS AN INTERNET 26
SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSE IF THE LICENSEE COMPLIES WITH ALL STATUTORY 27
AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS. 28

(II) THE LICENSE RENEWAL F EE IS EQUAL TO 1% OF THE 29
INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSEE ’S AVERAGE ANNUAL PRO CEEDS 30
RETAINED BY THE LICENSEE UNDER § 9–1F–05(B)(1)(II) OF THIS SUBTITLE FOR THE 31
PRECEDING 3–YEAR PERIOD. 32

SENATE BILL 884 11

(C) ON A PROPERLY APPROVE D TRANSMITTAL PREPA RED BY THE 1
COMMISSION, THE COMPTROLLER SHALL PAY THE FOLLOWING AMOUNT S FROM 2
THE LICENSE FEES COLLECTED BY THE COMMISSION UNDER THIS SECTION: 3

(1) AN AMOUNT TO THE STATE LOTTERY AND GAMING CONTROL 4
AGENCY NECESSARY TO REIMBURSE THE AGENCY FOR EXPENSES RELATED TO THE 5
ISSUANCE AND RENEWAL OF LICENSES UNDER THIS SECTION; 6

(2) 1% TO THE PROBLEM GAMBLING FUND ESTABLISHED UNDE R § 7
9–1A–33 OF THIS TITLE; AND 8

(3) THE REMAINDER TO THE BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND’S FUTURE 9
FUND ESTABLISHED UNDER § 5–206 OF THE EDUCATION ARTICLE. 10

(D) FOR ALL LICENSES REQUIRED UNDER THIS SECTION, IF AN APPLICANT 11
HOLDS A VALID GAMING OR GAMING OPERATION LICENSE IN THIS STATE OR AT 12
LEAST THREE OTHER ST ATES AND THE COMMISSION DETERMINES THAT THE 13
LICENSING STANDARDS OF THE ISSUING A GENCY ARE COMPREHENS IVE AND 14
THOROUGH AND PROVIDE SIMILAR AND ADEQUATE SAFEGUARDS TO THOSE 15
PROVIDED IN THIS SUBTITLE, THE COMMISSION MAY: 16

(1) WAIVE SOME OR ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION; 17
AND 18

(2) ISSUE A LICENSE TO THAT APPLICANT. 19

(E) (1) WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER THE ISSUA NCE OF AN INTERNET 20
SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSE, THE LICENSEE SHALL SUBMIT TO THE COMMISSION 21
A DIVERSITY PLAN THAT DESCRIBES THE STEPS THAT THE LICENSEE WILL TAKE TO 22
PROMOTE MEANINGFUL D IVERSITY AMONG ITS O WNERS, INVESTORS, MANAGERS, 23
EMPLOYEES, AND CONTRACTORS AND TO PROMOTE EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY. 24

(2) EACH INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSEE SHAL L MAKE 25
GOOD FAITH EFFORTS T O MEET THE DIVERSITY OBJECTIVES OUTLINED IN THE 26
DIVERSITY PLAN SUBMI TTED UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS S UBSECTION AND 27
REPORT TO THE COMMISSION ANY NECESSARY METRICS TO MEASURE PROGRESS IN 28
MEETING THOSE OBJECTIVES. 29

(3) THE COMMISSION MAY MAKE T HE DIVERSITY PLANS A ND 30
METRICS SUBMITTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SUBSECTION AVAILABLE TO THE 31
PUBLIC. 32

12 SENATE BILL 884

(F) (1) AN INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSEE MAY NOT 1
TRANSFER OWNERSHIP OR CONTROL OF THE LICENSE FOR A PERIOD OF AT LEAST 3 2
YEARS FOLLOWING ISSUANCE OF THE LICENSE. 3

(2) THE LIMITATIONS UNDER THIS SUBSECTION DO N OT APPLY TO 4
TRANSFERS AS A RESUL T OF THE DISAB ILITY, INCAPACITY, OR DEATH OF THE 5
OWNER OF AN INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSE , BANKRUPTCY OR 6
RECEIVERSHIP IN ACCO RDANCE WITH A LENDIN G AGREEMENT OF AN INTERNET 7
SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSEE, OR COURT ORDER. 8

9–1F–04. 9

(A) AN INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSEE: 10

(1) SHALL: 11

(I) COMPLY WITH ALL STATE AND FEDERAL DATA PRIVACY AND 12
SECURITY LAWS; 13

(II) MAINTAIN ALL INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING DATA 14
SECURELY FOR AT LEAST 5 YEARS; 15

(III) AUTHORIZE ONLY INDIV IDUALS WHO ARE AT LE AST 21 16
YEARS OLD TO ENGAGE IN INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING; AND 17

(IV) VERIFY AN INDIVIDUAL ’S AGE AND IDENTITY A T THE TIME 18
THE INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHES AN INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING ACCOUNT AND 19
PERIODICALLY REVERIFY THE INDIVIDUAL’S IDENTITY; AND 20

(2) MAY NOT: 21

(I) SHARE ANY PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMA TION 22
WITH ANY THIRD PARTIES WITHOUT PERMISSION, EXCEPT AS NEEDED TO OPERATE 23
INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING, ADMINISTER THE LICEN SEE’S OBLIGATIONS 24
UNDER THIS SUBTITLE, AND SUPPORT PROBLEM GAMBLING INITIATIVES; 25

(II) TARGET ADVERTISING T O INDIVIDUALS WHO AR E 26
PROHIBITED FROM PART ICIPATING IN GAMBLIN G ACTIVITIES UNDER T HIS TITLE 27
AND OTHER AT–RISK INDIVIDUALS; OR 28

(III) ENGAGE IN ANY FALSE OR DECEPTIVE ADVERTISING. 29

(B) (1) THE FINDINGS AND EVID ENCE RELIED ON BY TH E GENERAL 30
ASSEMBLY FOR THE CONT INUATION OF THE MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE 31
SENATE BILL 884 13

PROGRAM UNDER TITLE 14, SUBTITLE 3 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND 1
PROCUREMENT ARTICLE ARE INCORPORATED IN THIS SUBSECTION. 2

(2) TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE AND AUTHORIZED BY THE UNITED 3
STATES CONSTITUTION, AN INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSEE SHAL L 4
COMPLY WITH THE STATE’S MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM. 5

(3) (I) WITHIN 6 MONTHS AFTER THE ISSUANCE OF AN INTERNET 6
SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSE UNDER THIS SUBTITLE , THE OFFICE OF SMALL, 7
MINORITY, AND WOMEN BUSINESS AFFAIRS, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE OFFICE 8
OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSEE, 9
SHALL ESTABLISH A CL EAR PLAN FOR SETTING REASONABLE AND APPRO PRIATE 10
MINORITY BUSINESS EN TERPRISE PARTICIPATION GOALS AND PROCEDURES FOR 11
THE PROCUREMENT OF GOODS AND SERVICES RELATED TO INTERNET SKILL–BASED 12
GAMING. 13

(II) TO THE EXTENT PRACTIC ABLE, THE GOALS AND 14
PROCEDURES SPECIFIED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH SH ALL BE 15
BASED ON THE REQUIREMENTS OF TITLE 14, SUBTITLE 3 OF THE STATE FINANCE 16
AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE AND THE REGUL ATIONS IMPLEMENTING THAT 17
SUBTITLE. 18

(C) AN APPLICANT FOR AN INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSE, AN 19
INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSEE, OR AN ENTITY THAT OPERATES A LIVE 20
DEALER STUDIO ON BEH ALF OF AN INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSEE 21
SHALL PRODUCE INFORM ATION, DOCUMENTATION, AND ASSURANCES TO 22
ESTABLISH BY CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE THAT: 23

(1) UNLESS THE APPLICANT , LICENSEE, OR LIVE DEALER STUDI O 24
OPERATOR ALREADY HAS A COLLEC TIVE BARGAINING AGRE EMENT, THE 25
APPLICANT, LICENSEE, OR LIVE DEALER STUDI O OPERATOR HAS ENTERED INTO A 26
LABOR PEACE AGREEMEN T WITH EACH LABOR OR GANIZATION THAT IS A CTIVELY 27
ENGAGED IN REPRESENT ING O R ATTEMPTING TO REPR ESENT INTERNET 28
SKILL–BASED GAMING INDUSTRY WORK ERS, INCLUDING DEALERS CO NDUCTING 29
LIVE DEALER GAMES IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 9–1F–10 OF THIS SUBTITLE , IN THE 30
STATE; 31

(2) THE LABOR PEACE AGRE EMENT IS VALID AND E NFORCEABLE 32
UNDER 29 U.S.C. § 158; 33

(3) THE LABOR PEACE AGRE EMENT PROTECTS THE STATE’S 34
REVENUES BY PROHIBIT ING THE LABOR ORGANI ZATION AND ITS MEMBE RS FROM 35
ENGAGING IN PICKETIN G, WORK STOPPAGES , BOYCOTTS, AND ANY OTHER 36
ECONOMIC INTERFERENC E WITH THE OPERATION OF INTERNET SKILL–BASED 37
14 SENATE BILL 884

GAMING WITHIN THE FIRST 5 YEARS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF AN INTERNET 1
SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSE; AND 2

(4) THE APPLICANT, LICENSEE, OR LIVE DEALER STUDIO OPERATOR 3
INTENDS TO MAINTAIN A NEUTRAL POSITION O N THE UNIONIZATION O F ANY 4
EMPLOYEES OF THE APP LICANT, LICENSEE, OR OPERATOR , INCLUDING BY 5
REFRAINING FROM MAKI NG ANY STATEMENT OR IMPLICATION THAT THE 6
APPLICANT, LICENSEE, OR OPERATOR: 7

(I) OPPOSES THE SELECTIO N OR DESELECTION OF A 8
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGENT; OR 9

(II) SUPPORTS OR OPPOSES THE SELECTION OF A PARTICULAR 10
LABOR ORGANIZATION AS A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGENT. 11

9–1F–05. 12

(A) (1) THE COMMISSION SHALL ACCOUNT TO THE COMPTROLLER FOR 13
ALL OF THE REVENUE UNDER THIS SUBTITLE. 14

(2) THE PROCEEDS FROM INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING, LESS 15
THE AMOUNT RETAINED BY THE LICE NSEE UNDER SUBSECTION (B)(1)(II) OF THIS 16
SECTION, SHALL BE UNDER THE C ONTROL OF THE COMPTROLLER AND 17
DISTRIBUTED AS PROVIDED UNDER SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION. 18

(B) (1) (I) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF THIS 19
PARAGRAPH, ALL PROCEEDS FROM INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING SHALL BE 20
ELECTRONICALLY TRANS FERRED DAILY INTO THE STATE LOTTERY FUND 21
ESTABLISHED UNDER SUBTITLE 1 OF THIS TITLE. 22

(II) A LICENSEE SHALL RETAI N 70% OF THE PROCEEDS FROM 23
ALL INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING. 24

(2) ALL PROCEEDS FROM INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING IN THE 25
STATE LOTTERY FUND ESTABLISHED UNDER SUBTITLE 1 OF THIS TITLE SHALL BE 26
DISTRIBUTED ON A MON THLY BASIS , ON A PROPERLY APPROV ED TRANSMITTAL 27
PREPARED BY THE COMMISSION, IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER: 28

(I) 5.5% TO JURISDICTIONS WITH VIDEO LOTTERY FACI LITIES 29
BASED ON EACH JURISD ICTION’S PERCENTAGE OF OVER ALL GROSS REVENUES 30
FROM VIDEO LOTTERY T ERMINALS FOR THE PUR POSES DESCRIBED UNDE R § 31
9–1A–31(B) OF THIS TITLE; 32

SENATE BILL 884 15

(II) 6% TO THE PURSE DEDICATION ACCOUNT ESTABLISHED 1
UNDER § 9–1A–28 OF THIS TITLE; 2

(III) 1% TO THE RACETRACK FACILITY RENEWAL ACCOUNT 3
ESTABLISHED UNDER § 9–1A–29 OF THIS TITLE; 4

(IV) 1.5% TO THE SMALL, MINORITY, AND WOMEN–OWNED 5
BUSINESSES ACCOUNT ESTABLISHED U NDER § 5–1501 OF THE ECONOMIC 6
DEVELOPMENT ARTICLE; 7

(V) 1% OF ALL PROCEEDS TO THE PROBLEM GAMBLING FUND 8
ESTABLISHED UNDER § 9–1A–33 OF THIS TITLE; AND 9

(VI) THE REMAINDER TO THE BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND’S 10
FUTURE FUND ESTABLISHED UNDER § 5–206 OF THE EDUCATION ARTICLE. 11

9–1F–06. 12

(A) IN ORDER TO ASSIST IN DIVIDUALS WHO MAY HA VE A GAMBLING 13
PROBLEM, AN INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSEE SHALL: 14

(1) CAUSE THE WORDS “IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW HAS A 15
GAMBLING PROBLEM AND WANTS HELP , CALL 1–800–GAMBLER” OR SOME 16
COMPARABLE LANGUAGE APPROVED BY THE COMMISSION TO BE DISP LAYED 17
PROMINENTLY AT LOG –ON AND LOG –OFF TIMES TO ANY IND IVIDUAL VISITING OR 18
LOGGED ONTO AN INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING PLATFORM; 19

(2) REQUIRE AN INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING ACCOUNT HOLDER 20
TO ESTABLISH A LIMIT ON THE AMOUNT OF MONEY DEPOSITED WITHIN A SPECIFIED 21
PERIOD OF TIME AND THE LENGTH OF TIME THE ACCOUNT HOLDER WILL BE UNABLE 22
TO PARTIC IPATE IN INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING AND MAKE ADDI TIONAL 23
DEPOSITS IF THE ACCOUNT HOLDER REACHES THE ESTABLISHED DEPOSIT LIMIT; 24

(3) PROVIDE A MECHANISM BY WHICH AN INTERNET SKILL–BASED 25
GAMING ACCOUNT HOLDE R MAY ESTABLISH A TEMPORARY SUSPENSI ON OF 26
INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING ACTIVITY THRO UGH THE ACCOUNT FOR ANY 27
NUMBER OF HOURS OR DAYS; 28

(4) PROHIBIT THE USE OF CREDIT CARDS FOR ANY INTERNET 29
SKILL–BASED GAMING–RELATED TRANSACTIONS; AND 30

(5) (I) CAUSE THE DISPLAY OF A PROBLEM GAMBLING 31
DISCLOSURE CONCERNING THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH GAMB LING AND THE 32
SUPPORT AVAILABLE TO PROBLEM GAMBLERS AT ACCOUNT LOG–IN; 33
16 SENATE BILL 884

(II) REQUIRE AN INDIVIDUA L TO CERTIFY THAT TH E 1
INDIVIDUAL HAS READ THE DISCLOSURE DESCRIBED UNDER ITEM (I) OF THIS ITEM 2
BEFORE ESTABLISHING AN INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING ACCOUNT; AND 3

(III) REQUIRE EACH USER TO CERTIFY ON A MONTHLY BASIS 4
THAT THE USER HAS RE AD THE DISCLOSURE DE SCRIBED UNDER ITEM (I) OF THIS 5
ITEM. 6

(B) IF A SUSPENSION OF INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING ACTIVITY UNDER 7
SUBSECTION (A)(3) OF THIS SECTION IS IMPOSED BY THE ACCOUNT HOLDER FOR AT 8
LEAST 72 HOURS, THE INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSEE MAY NOT SEND 9
GAMING–RELATED E–MAIL TO THE ACCOUNT HOLDER UNTIL THE SUS PENSION 10
EXPIRES. 11

(C) (1) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , 12
AN INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSEE SHAL L PROVIDE A MECHANIS M BY 13
WHICH AN ACCOUNT HOL DER MAY PERIODICALLY CHANGE THE CONTROLS ON 14
GAMING ACTIVITY IMPOSED BY THE ACCOUNT HOLDER UNDER THIS SECTION. 15

(2) IF THE ACCOUNT IS SUS PENDED BY THE ACCOUN T HOLDER 16
UNDER SUBSECTION (A)(3) OF THIS SECTION , THE ACCOUNT HOLDER M AY NOT 17
CHANGE GAMING CONTROLS UNTIL THE SUSPENSION EXPIRES. 18

(3) IF AN ACCOUNT HOLDER SEEKS TO INCREASE THE LIMIT ON THE 19
AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT THE ACCOUNT HOLDER MAY DEPOSIT WITHIN A PERIOD 20
OF TIME SPECIFIED UN DER SUBSECTION (A)(2) OF THIS SECTION , THE INTERNET 21
SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSEE MAY NOT REFLECT THE INCREASED LIMIT FOR AT 22
LEAST 24 HOURS. 23

(D) NOTWITHSTANDING A TEM PORARY SUSPENSION OF INTERNET 24
SKILL–BASED GAMING ACTIVITY IMPO SED BY AN ACCOUNT HO LDER UNDER 25
SUBSECTION (A)(3) OF THIS SECTION , THE ACCOUNT HOLDER M AY CONTINUE TO 26
HAVE ACCESS TO THE A CCOUNT AND IS AUTHOR IZED TO WITHDRAW FUN DS FROM 27
THE ACCOUNT ON PROPER APPLICATION TO THE INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING 28
LICENSEE. 29

(E) (1) THE COMMISSION SHALL ADOP T REGULATIONS THAT A RE 30
INTENDED TO REDUCE OR MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF PROBLEM GAMBLING. 31

(2) THE REGULATIONS SHALL: 32

(I) INCLUDE ESTABLISHMEN T OF A VOLUNTARY EXC LUSION 33
LIST OF INDIVIDUALS WITH GAMBLING PROBLE MS WHO HAVE REQUESTE D TO BE 34
SENATE BILL 884 17

EXCLUDED FROM ANY INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSED UNDE R THIS 1
SUBTITLE; AND 2

(II) PROVIDE A SIMPLE MECHANISM FOR AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS 3
SOBER AND INFORMED T O REQUEST PLACEMENT ON THE VOLUNTARY EXC LUSION 4
LIST FOR A SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME. 5

(3) UNLESS AN INDIVIDUAL REQUESTING PLACEMENT ON THE 6
VOLUNTARY EXCLUSION LIST AFFIRMATIVELY D ECLINES THE PROVISIO N OF THE 7
INDIVIDUAL’S CONTACT INFORMATIO N TO THE MARYLAND CENTER OF 8
EXCELLENCE ON PROBLEM GAMBLING, THE COMMISSION SHALL PROV IDE THE 9
INDIVIDUAL’S CONTACT INFORMATIO N TO THE CENTER FOR THE P URPOSE OF 10
PROVIDING THE INDIVI DUAL INFORMATION ABO UT FREE AND CONFIDEN TIAL 11
RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING ASSISTANCE. 12

(4) AN INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSEE: 13

(I) MAY NOT PERMIT AN IN DIVIDUAL ON THE VOLU NTARY 14
EXCLUSION LIST TO ES TABLISH AN INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING ACCOUNT OR 15
ENGAGE IN INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING; AND 16

(II) MAY PERMIT AN INDIVI DUAL ON THE VOLUNTAR Y 17
EXCLUSION LIST WHO P REVIOUSLY ESTABLISHE D AN INTERNET SKILL–BASED 18
GAMING ACCOUNT TO ACCESS THE ACCOUNT ONLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF VIEWING 19
AND DOWNLOADING THE INDIVIDUAL’S TRANSACTION HISTORY. 20

(5) THE COMMISSION MAY IMPOSE SANCTIONS ON A LICEN SEE IN 21
ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SUBTITLE IF THE LICE NSEE KNOWINGLY FAILS TO 22
EXCLUDE AN INDIVIDUAL ON THE VOLUNTARY EXCLUSION LIST FROM ENGAGING IN 23
INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING. 24

(F) AT LEAST ONCE EACH YE AR, EACH INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING 25
LICENSEE SHALL REPORT TO THE COMMISSION ON: 26

(1) THE NUMBER OF PLAYER S THAT THE INTERNET SKILL–BASED 27
GAMING LICENSEE HAS IDENTIFIED AS ENGAGI NG IN ERRATIC OR INC REASED 28
GAMBLING BEHAVIOR; AND 29

(2) THE NUMBER AND LENGT H OF ANY BANS OR SUS PENSIONS IN 30
RESPONSE TO THE BEHAVIOR DESCRIBED UNDER ITEM (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION. 31

9–1F–07. 32

18 SENATE BILL 884

(A) THE COMMISSION MAY IMPOSE A PENALTY NOT EXCEEDING $1,000,000 1
AGAINST ANY PERSON WHO: 2

(1) KNOWINGLY TAMPERS WITH SOFTWARE, COMPUTERS, OR OTHER 3
EQUIPMENT USED TO CO NDUCT INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING TO ALTER THE 4
ODDS OR THE PAYOUT O F A GAME OR DISABLE THE GAME FROM OPERATING 5
ACCORDING TO THE RULES OF THE GAME AS ADOPTED BY THE COMMISSION; OR 6

(2) KNOWINGLY OFFERS OR ALLOWS TO BE OFFERED ANY INTERNET 7
SKILL–BASED GAME THAT HAS BEEN TAMPERED WITH IN A WAY THAT AFFECTS THE 8
ODDS OR THE PAYOUT O F A GAME OR HAS BEEN DISABLED FROM OPERAT ING 9
ACCORDING TO THE RULES OF THE GAME AS ADOPTED BY THE COMMISSION. 10

(B) IN ADDITION TO ANY PE NALTIES IMPOSED UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OF 11
THIS SECTION, THE COMMISSION MAY SUSPEND, FOR NOT LESS THAN 30 DAYS, THE 12
LICENSE OF AN INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSEE OR ANY OTHER PERSON 13
REQUIRED TO BE LICEN SED UNDER THIS SUBTITLE WHO IS IN V IOLATION OF 14
SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION. 15

9–1F–08. 16

ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1 EACH YEAR , THE MARYLAND CENTER OF 17
EXCELLENCE ON PROBLEM GAMBLING SHALL REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND, IN 18
ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THIS ARTICLE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON: 19

(1) THE IMPACT OF INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING ON PROBLEM 20
GAMBLERS AND GAMBLING ADDICTION IN THE STATE; AND 21

(2) THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE STATUTORY AND RE GULATORY 22
CONTROLS IN PLACE TO ENSURE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MEASURES TO PROTECT 23
VULNERABLE AND PROBLEM GAMBLERS. 24

9–1F–09. 25

(A) ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1 EACH YEAR, AN INTERNET SKILL–BASED 26
GAMING LICENSEE SHAL L PROVIDE ALL TRANSA CTIONAL DATA AND MET RICS 27
RELATED TO INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING CONDUCTED IN THE STATE AND 28
ACQUIRED BY AN OPERA TOR OF THE LICENSEE ON A MONTHLY , QUARTERLY, OR 29
ANNUAL BASIS TO MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY AND BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY. 30

(B) THE TRANSACTIONAL DATA AND METRICS PROVID ED IN ACCORDANCE 31
WITH SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION SHAL L EXCLUDE ANY PERSON ALLY 32
IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION. 33

SENATE BILL 884 19

9–1F–10. 1

(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 2
INDICATED. 3

(2) “AUTHORIZED INTERACTIV E SKILL–BASED GAME” MEANS ANY 4
SKILL–BASED GAME APPROVED BY THE COMMISSION IN WHICH INDIVIDUALS 5
WAGER MONEY OR SOMET HING OF MONETARY VAL UE THAT IS ACCESSED BY A 6
COMPUTER OR MOBILE DEVICE THAT IS CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET. 7

(3) “LIVE DEALER SKILL–BASED GAME” MEANS AN AUTHORIZED 8
INTERACTIVE SKILL–BASED GAME CONDUCTED BY LIVE STUDIO DEALERS OR OTHER 9
PHYSICAL GAMING EQUI PMENT IN A LIVE GAME ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THE 10
AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANTS HAVE THE ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN GAMEPLAY AND 11
COMMUNICATE GAME DEC ISIONS THROUGH AN AU THORIZED INTERACTIVE 12
SKILL–BASED GAMING PLATFORM. 13

(4) “LIVE GAMING STUDIO ” MEANS A PHYSICAL LOC ATION IN THE 14
STATE THAT UTILIZES L IVE VIDEO STREAMING TECHNOLOGY TO PROVID E 15
AUTHORIZED INTERACTI VE SKILL–BASED GAMES TO A PLAYER ’S INTERACTIVE 16
GAMING DEVICE OR MULTI–USE COMPUTING DEVICE. 17

(5) “LIVE STUDIO DEALER” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO: 18

(I) LEADS A SKILL–BASED GAME WHILE ASSISTING 19
AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANTS WITH GAME–RELATED NEEDS; 20

(II) DISTRIBUTES VIRTUAL CARDS, DICE, OR OTHER 21
EQUIPMENT TO AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANTS; AND 22

(III) MONITORS GAME PACE AND PLAY. 23

(B) SUBJECT TO APPROVAL B Y THE COMMISSION, AN INTERNET 24
SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSEE MAY OFFER AUTHORIZED INT ERACTIVE 25
SKILL–BASED GAMES, INCLUDING GAMING TOU RNAMENTS IN WHICH PL AYERS 26
COMPETE AGAINST ONE ANOTHER IN ONE OR MO RE OF THE GAMES AUTHORI ZED 27
UNDER THIS SUBTITLE OR BY THE COMMISSION OR IN APPR OVED VARIATIONS OR 28
COMPOSITES OF THOSE GAMES. 29

(C) AN INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING OPERATOR MAY USE LIVE STUDIO 30
DEALERS TO ADMINISTER AN AUTHORIZED INTERACTIVE SKILL–BASED GAME. 31

(D) A LIVE GAMING STUDIO U SED TO CONDUCT A LIV E DEALER GAME 32
AUTHORIZED UNDER THIS SECTION: 33
20 SENATE BILL 884

(1) SHALL BE LOCATED WITHIN THE STATE; AND 1

(2) IF THE INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING LICENSEE IS A VIDEO 2
LOTTERY OPERATOR, SHALL BE LOCATED WITHIN THE COUNTY WITHIN WHICH THE 3
VIDEO LOTTERY FACILITY IS LOCATED. 4

9–1F–11. 5

(A) IN THIS SECTION , “GOVERNMENT” MEANS ANY GOVERNMENT AL UNIT, 6
OTHER THAN THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT, OF A NATIONAL, STATE, OR LOCAL 7
BODY EXERCISING GOVERNMENTAL FUNCTIONS. 8

(B) ON RECOMMEN DATION OF THE COMMISSION, THE GOVERNOR, ON 9
BEHALF OF THE STATE, IS AUTHORIZED TO: 10

(1) ENTER INTO AN AGREEM ENT WITH OTHER GOVER NMENTS, 11
SUBJECT TO THE LIMITATIONS OF THIS SECTION, THAT ALLOWS AND PROVIDES FOR 12
PARTICIPATION IN MUL TIJURISDICTIONAL INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING BY 13
INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE PHYSICALLY LOCATED IN JURISDICTIONS OVER WHICH THE 14
GOVERNMENTS THAT ARE A PARTY TO THE AGREE MENT EXERCISE LEGAL 15
AUTHORITY; AND 16

(2) TAKE ALL NECESSARY A CTIONS TO ENSURE THA T ANY 17
AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO UNDER THIS SECTION BECOMES EFFECTIVE. 18

(C) THE COMMISSION MAY ADOPT REGULATIONS UNDER TH IS SECTION 19
THAT PROVIDE FOR: 20

(1) THE FORM, LENGTH, AND TERMS OF AN AGREEMENT AUTHORIZED 21
UNDER THIS SECTION; 22

(2) MATTERS RELATING TO THE TAXATION OF INTERNET 23
SKILL–BASED GAMING REVENUE BY THE PARTIES TO THE AGREEMENT; 24

(3) THE SHARING AND DIST RIBUTION OF INTERNET SKILL–BASED 25
GAMING REVENUE AMONG THE PARTIES TO THE AGREEMENT; 26

(4) RESOLUTION OF PLAYER DISPUTES; 27

(5) THE INFORMATION THAT A GOVERNMENT PROPOSING TO ENTER 28
INTO THE AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE MUST PROVIDE TO THE COMMISSION; 29

SENATE BILL 884 21

(6) THE MANNER AND PROCE DURE FOR HEARINGS CO NDUCTED BY 1
THE COMMISSION WITH RESPE CT TO ANY AGREEMENT AUTHORIZED UNDER THI S 2
SECTION; 3

(7) THE INFORMATION THAT THE COMMISSION SHALL PROVIDE TO 4
THE GOVERNOR THAT SUPPORT S THE RECOMMENDATION S OF THE COMMISSION 5
MADE UNDER THIS SECTION; AND 6

(8) ANY OTHER PROVISION NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THIS SECTION. 7

(D) THE GOVERNOR MAY NOT ENTE R INTO AN AGREEMENT UNDER THIS 8
SECTION UNLESS THE AGREEMENT INCLUDES TERMS: 9

(1) FOR ANY POTENTIAL AR RANGEMENT FOR THE SH ARING OF 10
REVENUES BY THE PARTIES TO THE AGREEMENT; 11

(2) PERMITTING THE EFFEC TIVE REGULATION OF INTERNET 12
SKILL–BASED GAMING BY THE STATE, INCLUDING PROVISIONS RELATING TO 13
LICENSING, TECHNICAL STANDARDS TO BE FOLLOWED, RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES 14
BY PATRONS, REQUIREMENTS FOR BANKROLLS, ENFORCEMENT, ACCOUNTING, AND 15
MAINTENANCE OF RECORDS; 16

(3) BY WHICH EACH PARTY TO THE AGREEMENT AGREES TO PROHIBIT 17
OPERATORS OF INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING, SERVICE PROVIDERS , AND 18
MANUFACTURERS OR DISTRIBUTORS OF INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING SYSTEMS 19
FROM ENGAGING IN ANY ACTIVITY PERMITTED U NDER THE AGREEMENT U NLESS 20
THOSE PERSONS ARE LICENSED OR FOUND SUITABLE: 21

(I) UNDER THIS SUBTITLE; OR 22

(II) BY ANY OTHER PARTY TO THE AGREEMENT UNDER 23
REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE MATERIALLY CONSISTENT WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF 24
THIS SUBTITLE; 25

(4) PROHIBITING VARIATIO N OR DEROGATION FROM THE 26
REQUIREMENTS OF THE AGREEMENT FOR ANY PARTY TO THE AGREEMENT ABSENT 27
THE CONSENT OF ALL PARTIES TO THE AGREEMENT; 28

(5) PROHIBITING ANY SUBORDINATE OR SIDE AGREEMENTS, EXCEPT 29
WITH RESPECT TO SHAR ING OF REVENUES , AMONG ANY SUBSET OF THE 30
GOVERNMENTS THAT ARE PARTIES TO THE AGREEMENT; AND 31

(6) IF THE AGREEMENT ALLOWS INDIVIDUALS PHYSICALLY LOCATED 32
IN THE STATE TO PARTICIPATE IN INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING CONDUCTED BY 33
22 SENATE BILL 884

ANOTHER PARTY TO THE AGREEMENT OR AN OPERATOR OF INTERNET SKILL–BASED 1
GAMING LICENSED BY T HE OTHER PARTY, REQUIRING THAT PARTY TO ESTABLISH 2
AND MAINTAIN REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS GOVERNING INTERNET SKILL–BASED 3
GAMING THAT ARE CONS ISTENT WITH THE REQU IREMENTS OF THIS SUB TITLE IN 4
ALL MATERIAL RESPECTS. 5

9–1F–12. 6

(A) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 1 EACH YEAR , THE COMMISSION SHALL 7
REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND, IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THIS ARTICLE, 8
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON: 9

(1) THE OPERATION OF INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING IN THE 10
STATE; AND 11

(2) THE IMPACT OF INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING ON VIDEO 12
LOTTERY FACILITIES, OTHER GAMING VENUES, AND ANCILLARY BUSINESSES THAT 13
SURROUND THOSE VIDEO LOTTERY FACILITIES AND GAMING VENUES. 14

(B) THE COMMISSION SHALL: 15

(1) STUDY THE IMPACTS OF ONLINE FORMS OF UNAU THORIZED 16
GAMING CONTENT THAT ARE SIMILAR TO INTERNET SKILL–BASED GAMING, SUCH AS 17
PLATFORMS THAT USE MICROTRANSACTIONS OR ONLINE SWEEPSTAKES; AND 18

(2) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2029, REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR 19
AND, IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THIS ARTICLE , TO THE GENERAL 20
ASSEMBLY ON ITS FINDINGS AND ANY RECOMMENDATIONS. 21

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 22
1, 2026. 23