Internet Gaming and Online Bingo - Authorization and Implementation

EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
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SENATE BILL 885
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By: Senator Watson
Introduced and read first time: February 6, 2026
Assigned to: Budget and Taxation

A BILL ENTITLED

AN ACT concerning 1

Internet Gaming and Online Bingo – 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 parti cipate in certain 4
Internet gaming and online bingo operations in the State; requiring the Commission 5
to regulate Internet gaming and online bingo and the conduct of Internet gaming 6
and online bingo in the State; authorizing the Governor, on recommendation of the 7
Commission, to enter into certain multijurisdictional Internet gaming agreements 8
with certain other governments, subject to certain limitations; providing that certain 9
payments to certain former video lottery facility employees may not be subtracted 10
from the calculation of a certain benefit; establishing the Video Lottery Facility 11
Employee Displacement Fund as a special, nonlapsing fund; submitting this Act to 12
a referendum of the qualified voters of the State; and generally relating to Internet 13
gaming and online bingo. 14

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 15
Article – Economic Development 16
Section 5–1501(b) 17
Annotated Code of Maryland 18
(2024 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 19

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 20
Article – Economic Development 21
Section 5–1501(c)(1) 22
Annotated Code of Maryland 23
(2024 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 24

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 25
Article – Education 26
Section 5–206(b) 27
Annotated Code of Maryland 28
2 SENATE BILL 885

(2025 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 1

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 2
Article – Education 3
Section 5–206(f) and 5–235(a) 4
Annotated Code of Maryland 5
(2025 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 6

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 7
Article – Labor and Employment 8
Section 8–803(d) 9
Annotated Code of Maryland 10
(2025 Replacement Volume) 11

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 12
Article – State Government 13
Section 9–1A–28(a) and 9–1A–29(a) 14
Annotated Code of Maryland 15
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 16

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 17
Article – State Government 18
Section 9–1A–28(b)(1) and 9–1A–29(b)(1) 19
Annotated Code of Maryland 20
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 21

BY adding to 22
Article – State Government 23
Section 9–1F–01 through 9–1F–13 to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 1F. Internet 24
Gaming and Online Bingo” 25
Annotated Code of Maryland 26
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 27

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASS EMBLY OF MARYLAND, 28
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 29

Article – Economic Development 30

5–1501. 31

(b) There is a Small, Minority, and Women–Owned Businesses Account under the 32
authority of the Department. 33

(c) (1) The Account shall receive money as required under [§ 9 –1A–27] §§ 34
9–1A–27 AND 9–1F–05 of the State Government Article. 35

Article – Education 36
SENATE BILL 885 3

5–206. 1

(b) There is the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund. 2

(f) The Fund consists of: 3

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

(2) Money appropriated in the State budget for the Fund; 7

(3) Interest earned by the Academic Excellence Fund established under § 8
6–1105 of this article; and 9

(4) Any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the 10
Fund. 11

5–235. 12

(a) (1) (i) Subject to PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION A ND 13
subsection (o) of this section and beginning in fiscal year 2023, the county governing body 14
shall levy and appropriate an annual tax sufficient to provide an amount of revenue for 15
elementary and secondary public education purposes equal to the local share of major 16
education aid as adjusted under § 5–239 of this subtitle. 17

(ii) For the purposes of calculating the local share of major education 18
aid and regardless of the source of the funds, all funds that a county board, including the 19
Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners, is authorized to expend for schools may be 20
considered as levied by the county council, board of county commissioners, or the Mayor 21
and City Council of Baltimore except for: 22

1. State appropriations; 23

2. Federal education aid payments; and 24

3. The amount of the expenditure authorized for debt service 25
and capital outlay. 26

(2) Subject to PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION AND subsection (o) 27
of this section and except as provided in subsection (a –1) of this section, the county 28
governing body shall appropriate local funds to the school operating budget in an amount 29
no less than the product of the county’s enrollment count for the current fiscal year and the 30
local appropriation on a per pupil basis for the prior fiscal year using enrollment count. 31

4 SENATE BILL 885

(3) BEGINNING IN FISCAL Y EAR 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 F ACILITY 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

SENATE BILL 885 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: 8

(I) § 9–1A–27 of this subtitle for the first 16 years of operations at 9
each video lottery facility; AND 10

(II) § 9–1F–05 OF THIS TITLE. 11

SUBTITLE 1F. INTERNET GAMING AND ONLINE BINGO. 12

9–1F–01. 13

(A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 14
INDICATED. 15

(B) “BINGO PROCEEDS ” MEANS THE TOTAL RECEIPTS F ROM THE 16
OPERATION OF ONLINE BINGO LESS THE AMOUNT OF MONEY WINNINGS OR PRIZES 17
PAID OUT TO PLAYERS. 18

(C) “COMMERCIAL BINGO OPERATOR” MEANS THE HOLDER OF A LICENSE 19
TO OPERATE ELECTRONI C BINGO MACHINES IN ACCORDANCE WITH TITLE 13 OF 20
THE CRIMINAL LAW ARTICLE FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES. 21

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

(E) “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

6 SENATE BILL 885

(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

(F) “GAMING PROCEEDS ” MEANS THE AMOUNT OF MONEY BET ON 13
INTERNET GAMING, LESS: 14

(1) THE AMOUNT RETURNED TO SUCCESSFUL PLAYERS; 15

(2) THE CASH EQUIVALENTS OF ANY MERCHANDISE O R THING OF 16
VALUE AWARDED AS A PRIZE TO SUCCESSFUL PLAYERS; AND 17

(3) THROUGH THE FIRST 5 YEARS OF OPERATION OF AN INTERNET 18
GAMING LICENSEE: 19

(I) IF THE INTERNET GAMING LICENSEE’S PROCEEDS DO NOT 20
EXCEED $4,000,000 DURING THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING YEAR OF OPERATION, 21
35% OF FREE PLAY AND PROMOTIONAL CREDITS REDEEMED BY PLAYERS; 22

(II) IF THE INTERNET GAMING L ICENSEE’S PROCEEDS ARE AT 23
LEAST $4,000,000 BUT DO NOT EXCEED $8,000,000 DURING THE IMMEDIATE LY 24
PRECEDING YEAR OF OP ERATION, 31.25% OF FREE PLAY AND PRO MOTIONAL 25
CREDITS REDEEMED BY PLAYERS; 26

(III) IF THE INTERNET GAMING LICEN SEE’S PROCEEDS ARE AT 27
LEAST $8,000,000 BUT DO NOT EXCEED $10,000,000 DURING THE IMMEDIATE LY 28
PRECEDING YEAR OF OP ERATION, 27.5% OF FREE PLAY AND PRO MOTIONAL 29
CREDITS REDEEMED BY PLAYERS; 30

(IV) IF THE INTERNET GAMING LICEN SEE’S PROCEEDS ARE AT 31
LEAST $10,000,000 BUT DO NOT EXCEED $12,000,000 DURING THE IMMEDIATE LY 32
SENATE BILL 885 7

PRECEDING YEAR OF OP ERATION, 23.75% OF FREE PLAY AND PRO MOTIONAL 1
CREDITS REDEEMED BY PLAYERS; OR 2

(V) IF THE INTERNET GAMING LICENSEE’S PROCEEDS EXCEED 3
$12,000,000 DURING THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING YEAR OF OPERATION, 20% OF 4
FREE PLAY AND PROMOTIONAL CREDITS REDEEMED BY PLAYERS. 5

(G) “INTERNET GAMING ” MEANS CASINO –STYLE GAMING THROUGH AN 6
ONLINE GAMING SYSTEM: 7

(1) ON A COMPUTER, A MOBILE DEVICE, OR ANY OTHER INTERACTIVE 8
DEVICE; AND 9

(2) THAT IS CONDUCTED BY AN INTERNET GAMING LICENSEE OR A 10
PERSON WHO OPERATES INTERNET GAMING ON BEHALF OF AN INTERNET GAMING 11
LICENSEE. 12

(H) “INTERNET GAMING LICEN SE” MEANS A LICENSE ISSU ED BY THE 13
COMMISSION TO CONDUCT INTERNET GAMING IN THE STATE IN ACCORDANCE WITH 14
THIS SUBTITLE. 15

(I) “INTERNET GAMING LICENSEE” MEANS THE HOLDER OF AN INTERNET 16
GAMING LICENSE UNDER THIS SUBTITLE. 17

(J) “MOBILE SPORTS WAGERING LICENSEE” HAS THE MEANING STATED IN 18
§ 9–1E–01 OF THIS TITLE. 19

(K) “ONLINE BINGO” MEANS ONLINE OPERATION OF ELECTRONIC INSTANT 20
BINGO. 21

(L) “ONLINE BINGO LICENSE ” MEANS A LICENSE ISSUED BY THE 22
COMMISSION TO CONDUCT ONLINE BINGO IN THE STATE. 23

(M) “ONLINE BINGO LICENSEE” MEANS THE HOLDER OF AN ONLINE BINGO 24
LICENSE UNDER THIS SUBTITLE. 25

(N) “ONLINE GAMING OPERATO R” MEANS AN ENTITY THAT HOLDS A 26
LICENSE ISSUED BY THE COMMISSION UNDER THIS SUBTITLE TO: 27

(1) CONDUCT AND OPERATE INTERNET GAMING ON BE HALF OF AN 28
INTERNET GAMING LICENSEE; OR 29

(2) CONDUCT AND OPERATE ONLINE BINGO ON BEHALF OF AN ONLINE 30
BINGO LICENSEE. 31
8 SENATE BILL 885

(O) (1) “PERSONAL NET WORTH” MEANS THE NET VALUE OF THE ASSETS 1
HELD BY AN INDIVIDUA L, INCLUDING THE INDIVI DUAL’S SHARE OF ASSETS HE LD 2
JOINTLY OR AS COMMUN ITY PROPERTY WITH TH E INDIVIDUAL ’S SPOUSE , AFTER 3
TOTAL LIABILITIES ARE DEDUCTED. 4

(2) “PERSONAL NET WORTH” DOES NOT INCLUDE: 5

(I) THE INDIVIDUAL’S OWNERSHIP INTEREST IN AN APPLICANT 6
FOR LICENSURE UNDER THIS SUBTITLE; 7

(II) THE INDIVIDUAL’S EQUITY IN THE INDI VIDUAL’S PRIMARY 8
PLACE OF RESIDENCE; 9

(III) ANY MORTGAGE OR LOAN SECURED BY THE INDIV IDUAL’S 10
PRIMARY PLACE OF RESIDENCE AS A LIABILITY; OR 11

(IV) THE CASH VALUE OF ANY QUALIFIED RETIREMENT SAVINGS 12
PLANS OR INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS. 13

(P) “SOCIAL EQUITY APPLICANT” MEANS AN APPLICANT FOR AN INTERNET 14
GAMING LICENSE WHO SATISFIES AT LEAST TWO OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA: 15

(1) LIVED IN AN ECONOMIC ALLY DISADVANTAGED A REA FOR AT 16
LEAST 5 OF THE 10 YEARS IMMEDIATELY PR ECEDING THE SUBMISSI ON OF THE 17
APPLICATION; 18

(2) ATTENDED A PUBLIC SC HOOL IN AN ECONOMICA LLY 19
DISADVANTAGED AREA FOR AT LEAST 5 YEARS; 20

(3) FOR AT LEAST 2 YEARS, ATTENDED A 4–YEAR INSTITUTION OF 21
HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE STATE WHERE AT LEAST 40% OF THE INDIVIDUALS WHO 22
ATTEND THE INSTITUTI ON OF HIGHER EDUCATI ON ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A PELL 23
GRANT; AND 24

(4) HAS A PERSONAL NET W ORTH THAT DOES NOT E XCEED AN 25
AMOUNT DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSION TO ENCOURA GE DIVERSITY, EQUITY, 26
AND INCLUSION IN THE INTERNET GAMING INDUSTRY. 27

(Q) “SPORTS WAGERING FACILITY LICENSEE” HAS THE MEANING STATED IN 28
§ 9–1E–01 OF THIS TITLE. 29

(R) “SPORTS WAGERING LICEN SEE” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 30
9–1E–01 OF THIS TITLE. 31
SENATE BILL 885 9

(S) “VIDEO LOTTERY FACILIT Y” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–1A–01 1
OF THIS TITLE. 2

(T) “VIDEO LOTTERY OPERATOR” HAS THE MEANING STATED IN § 9–1A–01 3
OF THIS TITLE. 4

9–1F–02. 5

(A) (1) THIS SUBTITLE AUTHORIZES: 6

(I) AN INTERNET GAMING LICEN SEE TO CONDUCT AND 7
OPERATE INTERNET GAMING IN THE STATE AS PROVIDED IN THIS SUBTITLE; AND 8

(II) AN ONLINE BINGO LICE NSEE TO CONDUCT AND OPERATE 9
ONLINE BINGO IN THE STATE AS PROVIDED IN THIS SUBTITLE. 10

(2) AN INTERNET GAMING LICEN SEE OR ONLINE BINGO LICE NSEE 11
MAY ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH UP TO ONE ONLINE GAMING OPERATOR. 12

(B) EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THIS SUBTITLE, THE COMMISSION 13
SHALL REGULATE INTERNET GAMING AND ONLINE BINGO AND THE CONDUCT OF 14
INTERNET GAMING AND ONLINE BINGO TO THE SAME EXTENT T HAT THE 15
COMMISSION REGULATES THE OPERATION OF VID EO LOTTERY TERMINALS AND 16
TABLE GAMES UNDER SUBTITLE 1A OF THIS TITLE , MOBILE SPORTS WAGERI NG 17
UNDER SUBTITLE 1E OF THIS TITLE , AND ELECT RONIC BINGO MACHINES 18
CONSISTENT WITH TITLE 12 OF THE CRIMINAL LAW ARTICLE. 19

(C) UNLESS THE CONTEXT RE QUIRES OTHERWISE , THE REQUIREMENTS 20
UNDER §§ 9–1A–04, 9–1A–06, 9–1A–07, 9–1A–08, 9–1A–12, 9–1A–14, 9–1A–18, 21
9–1A–19, 9–1A–20, AND 9–1A–25 OF THIS TITLE APPLY TO THE AUTHORITY, DUTIES, 22
AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMISSION, AN INTERNET GAMING LICENSEE, AN 23
ONLINE BINGO LICENSEE, AND AN EMPLOYEE OR A CONTRACTOR OF AN INTERNET 24
GAMING LICENSEE OR ONLINE BINGO LICENSEE UNDER THIS SUBTITLE. 25

(D) (1) THE FOLLOWING SHALL BE LICENSED UNDER THIS SUBTITLE: 26

(I) A PERSON THAT CONDUCTS INTERNET GAMING OR ONLINE 27
BINGO; 28

(II) A PERSON THAT CONDUCTS INTERNET GAMING OR ONLINE 29
BINGO ON BEHALF OF AN INTERNET GAMING LICEN SEE OR AN ONLINE BINGO 30
LICENSEE, INCLUDING AN ONLINE GAMING OPERATOR; 31

10 SENATE BILL 885

(III) A LIVE STUDIO DEALER , AS DEFINED UNDER § 9–1F–10 OF 1
THIS SUBTITLE; 2

(IV) A PERSON NOT LICENSE D UNDER ITEM (I), (II), OR (III) OF 3
THIS PARAGRAPH THAT MANAGES, OPERATES, SUPPLIES, PROVIDES SECURITY FOR, 4
OR PROVIDES SE RVICE, MAINTENANCE, OR REPAIRS FOR AN INTERNET GAMING 5
LICENSEE OR AN ONLINE BINGO LICENSEE; AND 6

(V) AN INDIVIDUAL DIRECT LY EMPLOYED IN THE O PERATION 7
OF INTERNET GAMING BY AN INTERNET GAMING LICENSEE OR ONLINE BINGO BY AN 8
ONLINE BINGO LICENSEE IF THE INDIVIDUAL DOES NOT OTHERWISE HOLD A VALID 9
LICENSE UNDER SUBTITLE 1A OF THIS TITLE. 10

(2) THE COMMISSION MAY BY REGULATION REQUIRE A PERSON THAT 11
CONTRACTS WITH A LIC ENSEE AND THE PERSON ’S EMPLOYEES TO OBTAI N A 12
LICENSE UNDER THIS S UBTITLE IF THE COMMISSION D ETERMINES THAT THE 13
LICENSING REQUIREMENTS ARE NECESSARY IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC 14
INTEREST AND ACCOMPLISH THE POLICIES ESTABLISHED BY THIS SUBTITLE. 15

(3) SUBJECT TO THE LIMITA TIONS OF THIS SUBTIT LE, THE 16
COMMISSION MAY CHARGE A FEE FOR A LICENSE ISSUED UNDER THIS SUBTITLE. 17

(E) (1) THE COMMISSION MAY NOT IS SUE A LICENSE TO A P ERSON 18
DESCRIBED UNDER SUBS ECTION (D)(1)(II) OR (IV) OF THIS SECTION IF T HE 19
APPLICANT OR ANY OF THE APPLICANT’S AFFILIATES, INCLUDING AN ENTITY UNDER 20
COMMON CONTROL , IS KNOWI NGLY ACCEPTING REVEN UE THAT IS DIRECTLY OR 21
INDIRECTLY DERIVED FROM: 22

(I) A JURISDICTION ON TH E BLACK LIST OF MONEY 23
LAUNDERING COUNTRIES ESTABLISHED BY THE FINANCIAL ACTION TASK FORCE; 24

(II) A JURISDICTION DESIG NATED AS A STATE SPONSOR OF 25
TERRORISM BY THE UNITED STATES; OR 26

(III) ILLEGAL GAMBLING ACTIVITY IN THE UNITED STATES. 27

(2) IF AT ANY TIME DURING THE LICENSURE OF A PERSON DESCRIBED 28
UNDER SUBSECTION (D)(1)(II) OR (IV) OF THIS SECTION THE COMMISSION 29
DETERMINES THAT THE LICENSE HOLDER OR AN Y OF THE LICENSE HOL DER’S 30
AFFILIATES, INCLUDING AN ENTITY UNDER COMMON CONTROL , IS KNOWINGL Y 31
ACCEPTING REVENUE TH AT IS DIRECTLY OR IN DIRECTLY DERIVED FRO M A 32
JURISDICTION OR ACTIVITY DESCRIBED UNDER PARA GRAPH (1) OF THIS 33
SUBSECTION, THE COMMISSION MAY REVOKE THE LICENSE OF THE L ICENSE 34
HOLDER IF THE COMMISSION DETERMINES THAT, AFTER NOTICE AND 35
SENATE BILL 885 11

OPPORTUNITY FOR A HEARI NG, IT WOULD FURTHER THE PUBLIC INTEREST TO 1
DISCONTINUE THE OPERATIONS OF THE LICENSE HOLDER WITHIN THE STATE. 2

(3) (I) 1. IN THIS PARAGRAPH THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE 3
THE MEANINGS INDICATED. 4

2. “ILLEGAL INTERACTIVE G AMING MARKET” MEANS A 5
JURISDICTION IN WHIC H INTERACTIVE GAMING IS PROHIBITED BY THE LAWS OF 6
THAT JURISDICTION. 7

3. “INTERACTIVE GAME CONT ENT” MEANS HARDWARE, 8
SOFTWARE, APPLICATIONS, AND SERVERS USED TO OPERATE, CONDUCT, OR OFFER 9
INTERACTIVE GAMBLING GAMES. 10

(II) THE COMMISSION SHALL REQU IRE A PERSON DESCRIB ED 11
UNDER SUBSECTION (D)(1)(II) OR (IV) OF THIS SUBSECTION, ON APPLICATION FOR 12
A LICENSE AND ANNUALLY FOLLOWING THE ISSUANCE OF A LICENSE, TO SUBMIT A 13
DISCLOSURE STATING THE JURISDICTIONS IN WHICH THE APPLICANT OR LICENSE 14
HOLDER OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE APPLICANT OR LICENSE HOLDER, DURING THE 15
IMMEDIATELY PRECEDIN G 12–MONTH PERIOD , DIRECTLY OR INDIRECT LY 16
ACCEPTED REVENUE FRO M THE SUPPLY OF INTE RACTIVE GAME CONTENT IN AN 17
ILLEGAL INTERACTIVE GAMING MARKET. 18

(III) A MATERIAL MISREPRESEN TATION OR OMISSION O N THE 19
DISCLOSURE REQUIRED UNDER SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF THIS PARAGRAPH MAY, AT 20
THE DISCRETION OF THE COMMISSION, RESULT IN THE DENIAL OF AN APPLICATION 21
FOR A LICENSE UNDER THIS SUBTITLE OR , IN THE CASE OF A LIC ENSE HO LDER, 22
DISCIPLINARY ACTION, INCLUDING A SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF THE LICENSE 23
AND PENALTIES FOR OFFICERS OR BOARD MEMBERS OF THE LICENSE HOLDER. 24

(F) THE COMMISSION SHALL ADOPT REGULATIONS THAT ESTABLISH: 25

(1) THE FORM AND CONTENT OF AN APPLICATION FOR ANY LICENSE 26
REQUIRED UNDER THIS SUBTITLE; 27

(2) STANDARDS, PROCEDURES, AND RULES THAT GOVER N THE 28
CONDUCT AND OPERATION OF INTERNET GAMING AND ONLINE BINGO; AND 29

(3) ANY OTHER REGULATION NECESSARY TO CARRY O UT THE 30
PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBTITLE. 31

9–1F–03. 32

12 SENATE BILL 885

(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
GAMING INDUSTRY, INCLUDING THROUGH THE OWNERSHIP OF ENTITIES LICENSED 5
TO CONDUCT INTERNET GAMING. 6

(B) (1) (I) SUBJECT TO SUBPARAGRAPH (V) OF THIS PARAGRAPH, THE 7
COMMISSION MAY ISSUE AN INTERNET GAMING LICENSE TO: 8

1. A VIDEO LOTTERY OPERATOR; 9

2. A SPORTS WAGERING LI CENSEE WHO IS BOTH A 10
SPORTS WAGERING FACI LITY LICENSEE AND A MOBILE SPORTS WAGERING 11
LICENSEE IF BOTH LICENSES WER E ISSUED ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2026; 12
AND 13

3. APPLICANTS THAT: 14

A. HAVE MAINTAINED THE APPLICANTS’ 15
HEADQUARTERS IN THE STATE FOR AT LEAST 10 YEARS; 16

B. EMPLOYED ON DECEMBER 31, 2025, AND CONTINUE 17
TO EMPLOY , AT LEAST 250 EMPLOYEES IN THE STATE ON A FULL –TIME OR 18
FULL–TIME EQUIVALENT BASIS; 19

C. DURING THE PERIOD BE GINNING JANUARY 1, 2018, 20
AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2025, FILED AN APPLICATION OR RENEWAL 21
APPLICATION TO OWN AN EQUITY INTEREST OF AT LEAST 5% IN A VIDEO LOTTERY 22
OPERATOR AND WERE FOUND BY THE COMMISSION TO BE QUALIFIED; 23

D. AGREE TO O PERATE THE INTERNET GAMING 24
BUSINESS USING A BRA ND ASSOCIATED WITH A MARYLAND–BASED APPLICANT , 25
SUBJECT TO WAIVER BY THE COMMISSION AFTER 1 FULL YEAR OF OPERATION; AND 26

E. COMMIT TO SPEND AT LEAST $5,000,000 DURING THE 27
INITIAL TERM OF THE INTERNET GAMING LICENSE TO BUILD AND OPERATE A LIVE 28
GAMING STUDIO, AS DEFINED UNDER § 9–1F–10 OF THIS SUBTITLE , OR A STUDIO 29
FOR TELEVISION AND F ILM PRODUCTIONS UNDE R THE AUSPICES OF TH E 30
MARYLAND FILM OFFICE WITHIN THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 31
DIVISION OF TOURISM, FILM, AND THE ARTS. 32

(II) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (III) OF THIS 33
PARAGRAPH, AN APPLICANT THAT HOLDS MORE THAN ONE LICENS E UNDER 34
SENATE BILL 885 13

SUBTITLE 1A OR SUBTITLE 1E OF THIS TITLE MAY AP PLY ONLY FOR A SINGLE 1
LICENSE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH. 2

(III) 1. THE COMMISSION MAY ISSUE TO AN APPLICANT 3
DESCRIBED UNDER SUBP ARAGRAPH (I)1 AND 2 OF THIS PARAGRAPH AN 4
ADDITIONAL INTERNET GAMING LICENSE IF, AT THE TIME OF APPLI CATION FOR A 5
LICENSE UNDER SUBPAR AGRAPH (I)1 OR 2 OF THIS PARAGRAPH , THE APPLICANT 6
CONCURRENTLY APPLIES FOR A LICENSE THAT T HE APPLICANT AGREES TO 7
OPERATE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SOCIAL EQUITY APPLICANTS WHO DEMONSTRATE 8
DIRECT OR INDIRECT OWNERSHIP OF AT LEAST 33% IN A JOINT VENTURE. 9

2. IF A N APPLICANT APPLIES FOR A LICENSE IN 10
ACCORDANCE WITH SUBS UBPARAGRAPH 1 OF THIS SUBPARAGRAPH , THE 11
COMMISSION MAY ISSUE THE APPLICANT AN ADDITIONAL LICENS E THAT THE 12
APPLICANT MAY OPERATE SUBJECT TO SUBPARAGRAPH (IV) OF THIS PARAGRAPH. 13

(IV) 1. IF A VIDEO LOTTERY OP ERATOR OR SPORTS 14
WAGERING LICENSEE THAT IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE AN INTERNET GAMING LICENSE 15
UNDER SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH FA ILS TO APPLY FOR A L ICENSE 16
FOR WHICH THE ENTITY IS POTENTIALLY ELIGI BLE, INCLUDING THE ADDITI ONAL 17
LICENSES DESCRIBED U NDER SUBPARAGRAPH (III) OF THIS PARAGRAPH , THE 18
COMMISSION MAY ISSUE THE OTHERWISE AVAILABLE INTERNET GAMING LICENSES 19
THROUGH TWO COMPETITIVE LICENSING ROUNDS TO APPLICANTS THAT MEET THE 20
REQUIREMENTS FOR AN INTERNET GAMING LICENSE UNDER THIS SUBTITLE. 21

2. IN ADDITION TO THE LICE NSES DESCRIBED UNDER 22
SUBSUBPARAGRAPH 1 OF THIS SUBPARAGRAPH, THE COMMISSION MAY ISSUE FIVE 23
INTERNET GAMING LICENSES THROUGH TWO COMPETITIVE LICENSING ROUNDS TO 24
APPLICANTS THAT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR AN INTERNET GAMING LICENSE 25
UNDER THIS SUBTITLE. 26

3. THE FIRST ROUND OF AP PLICATIONS FOR LICEN SES 27
DESCRIBED UNDER SUBSUBPARAGRAPHS 1 AND 2 OF THIS SUBPARAGRAPH SHALL 28
BE AVAILABLE TO APPL ICANTS THAT DEMONSTR ATE DIRECT OR INDIRE CT 29
OWNERSHIP OF AT LEAST 33% BY SOCIAL EQUITY APPLICANTS. 30

4. IF ANY LICENSES DESCR IBED UNDER 31
SUBSUBPARAGRAPHS 1 AND 2 OF THIS SUBPARAGRAPH REMAIN AVAILABLE AFTER 32
THE FIRST ROUND OF A PPLICATIONS DESCRIBED UNDER SUBSUBPARAGRAPH 3 OF 33
THIS SUBPARAGRAPH , THE REMAINING LICENS ES SHALL BE AVAILABL E TO 34
APPLICANTS WHO SATISFY THE REQUIREMENTS UNDER SUBPARAGRAPH (V) OF THIS 35
PARAGRAPH. 36

14 SENATE BILL 885

(V) 1. THIS SUBPARAGRAPH DOE S NOT APPLY TO AN 1
APPLICANT DESCRIBED UNDER SUBPARAGRAPH (I)1 AND 2 OF THIS PARAGRAPH. 2

2. THE COMMISSION MAY NOT IS SUE A LICENSE TO AN 3
APPLICANT THAT HAS NOT DEMONSTRATED DIR ECT OR INDIRECT OWNE RSHIP OF 4
AT LEAST 5% BY INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE SOCIAL EQUITY APPLICANTS. 5

3. THE COMMISSION MAY ISSUE A LICENSE TO AN 6
APPLICANT THAT, IN LIEU OF THE OWNER SHIP REQUIREMENT DESCRIBED UNDER 7
SUBSUBPARAGRAPH 2 OF THIS S UBPARAGRAPH, HAS ESTABLISHED A 8
PROFIT–SHARING AGREEMENT WI TH NONMANAGEMENT EMP LOYEES WHO WOULD 9
OTHERWISE QUALIFY AS SOCIAL EQUITY APPLICANTS. 10

(VI) THE COMMISSION SHALL REVIEW EACH APPLICATION FOR 11
AN INTERNET GAMING LICEN SE UNDER THIS SECTIO N TO ENSURE THAT 12
APPLICANTS SATISFY THE SOCIAL EQUITY APPLICANT OWNERSHIP REQUIREMENTS 13
UNDER THIS SUBSECTION. 14

(VII) IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER FACTORS ESTABLISHED BY THE 15
COMMISSION BY REGULATION TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THIS SUBTITLE, THE 16
COMMISSION SHALL REVI EW APPLICATIONS FOR INTERNET GAMING LICEN SES 17
UNDER SUBPARAGRAPH (IV) OF THIS PARAGRAPH BASED ON: 18

1. THE PERCENTAGE OF OW NERSHIP BY INDIVIDUA LS 19
WHO ARE SOCIAL EQUITY APPLICANTS; 20

2. THE APPLICANT ’S FINANCIAL STABILIT Y, 21
RESOURCES, INTEGRITY, AND BUSINESS ABILITY AND ACUMEN; 22

3. THE APPLICANT ’S WORKFORCE DEVELOPM ENT 23
PLANS FOR INTERNET GAMING INDUSTRY EMPLOYEES IN THE STATE; 24

4. THE APPLICANT ’S PLANS FOR EMPLOYIN G 25
INDIVIDUALS IN THE INTERNET GAMING INDUSTRY WHO RESIDE IN ECONOMICALLY 26
DISADVANTAGED AREAS; AND 27

5. THE APPLICANT’S RESPONSIBLE GAMING PROGRAMS 28
AND AN EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE AND COMPLIANCE PROGRAM. 29

(2) (I) THE COMMISSION MAY ISSUE AN ONLINE BINGO LICE NSE 30
TO A COMMERCIAL BINGO OPERATOR. 31

SENATE BILL 885 15

(II) A COMMERCIAL BINGO OPE RATOR THAT APPLIES FOR AN 1
ONLINE BINGO LICENSE UNDER THIS PARAGRAPH MAY NOT APPLY FOR AN 2
INTERNET GAMING LICENSE UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION. 3

(III) THE COMMISSION SHALL REVIEW EACH APPLICATION FOR 4
AN ONLINE BINGO LICE NSE UNDER THIS SUBTI TLE TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH 5
THIS SUBTITLE. 6

(3) (I) THE COMMISSION MAY CONTRACT WITH A CONSULTANT TO 7
ASSIST THE COMMISSION WITH THE D EVELOPMENT OF AN INTERNET GAMING 8
LICENSE APPLICATION AND THE REVIEW OF APPLICANTS. 9

(II) AS PART OF THE REVIEW OF AN APPLICATION FOR AN 10
INTERNET GAMING LICENSE, THE COMMISSION SHALL DETERMINE WHETHER THE 11
ISSUANCE OF A LICENSE TO THE APPLICANT SERVES THE PUBLIC INTEREST. 12

(4) (I) 1. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF THIS 13
PARAGRAPH, THE INITIAL LICENSE FEE FOR AN INTERNET G AMING LICENSE IS 14
EQUAL TO: 15

A. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED I N ITEM B OF THIS 16
SUBSUBPARAGRAPH, $1,000,000; OR 17

B. $500,000 IF THE INTERNET GAMING LICEN SEE 18
AGREES WITH THE COMMISSION TO OFFER ONLY LIVE DEALER GAMES CONDUCTED 19
BY THE LICENSEE IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 9–1F–10 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 20

2. THE INITIAL LICENSE F EE FOR AN ONLINE BIN GO 21
LICENSE IS EQUAL TO $500,000. 22

(II) 1. IN THIS SUBPARAGRAPH, “MAJOR MINORITY–OWNED 23
APPLICANT OR JOINT V ENTURE APPLICANT ” MEANS AN APPLICANT F OR AN 24
INTERNET GAMING LICENSE UNDER THIS SUBTITLE IN WHICH: 25

A. ONE OR MORE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE SOCIAL EQUITY 26
APPLICANTS OR ENTITIES CERTIFIED AS MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISES UNDER 27
TITLE 14, SUBTITLE 3 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE 28
DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY OWN AT LEAST 51% OF THE EQUITY INTERE STS IN THE 29
APPLICANT; OR 30

B. IN THE CASE OF A JOI NT VENTURE , ONE OR MORE 31
ENTITIES DESCRIBED U NDER ITEM A OF THIS SUBSUBPARAGR APH DIRECTLY OR 32
INDIRECTLY OWN AT LEAST 51% OF THE EQUITY INTERESTS IN THE JOINT VENTURE. 33

16 SENATE BILL 885

2. THE INITIAL LICENSE FEE FOR AN INTERNET GAMING 1
LICENSE ISSUED TO A MAJOR MINORITY –OWNED APPLICANT OR J OINT VENTURE 2
APPLICANT SHALL BE: 3

A. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED I N ITEM B OF THIS 4
SUBSUBPARAGRAPH, $500,000; OR 5

B. $250,000, IF THE INTERNET GAMING LICEN SEE 6
AGREES WITH THE COMMISSION TO OFFER ONLY LIVE DEALER GAMES CONDUCTED 7
BY THE LICENSEE IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 9–1F–10 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 8

3. THE COMMISSION SHALL ADOPT REGULATIONS TO: 9

A. ESTABLISH PROCEDURES AND STANDARDS FOR 10
DETERMINING WHETHER AN APPLICANT QUALIFIES AS A MAJOR MINORITY–OWNED 11
APPLICANT OR JOINT VENTURE APPLICANT UNDER THIS SUBPARAGRAPH; AND 12

B. ENSURE THAT THE REDUCED LICENSE FEE PROVIDED 13
UNDER SUBSUBPARAGRAP H 2 OF THIS SUBPARAGRAPH IS AVAILABLE ONLY TO 14
APPLICANTS THAT MAIN TAIN THE OWNERSHIP S TRUCTURE REQUIRED FO R AT 15
LEAST THE INITIAL TERM OF THE INTERNET GAMING LICENSE. 16

(III) THE COMMISSION MAY AUTHOR IZE THE PAYMENT OF T HE 17
FEE REQUIRED UNDER S UBPARAGRAPHS (I) AND (II) OF THIS PARAGR APH IN 18
SEPARATE INSTALLMENTS. 19

(IV) THE TERM OF AN INTERNET GAMING LICEN SE AND AN 20
ONLINE BINGO LICENSE IS 5 YEARS. 21

(5) (I) ON APPLICATION BY AN INTERNET GAMING LICEN SEE OR 22
AN ONLINE BINGO LICE NSEE AND PAYMENT OF A LIC ENSE RENEWAL FEE UND ER 23
SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF THIS PARAGRAPH, THE COMMISSION SHALL RENEW FOR 5 24
YEARS AN INTERNET GAMING LICENSE OR ONLINE BINGO LICENSE IF THE LICENSEE 25
COMPLIES WITH ALL STATUTORY AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS. 26

(II) THE LICENSE RENEWAL FEE IS EQUAL TO: 27

1. IN THE CASE OF AN INTERNET GAMING LICENSE, 1% 28
OF THE INTERNET GAMING LICENSEE’S AVERAGE ANNUAL PROCEEDS RETAINED BY 29
THE LICENSEE UNDER § 9–1F–05(B)(1)(II) OF THIS SUBTITLE FOR THE PRECEDING 30
3–YEAR PERIOD; OR 31

SENATE BILL 885 17

2. IN THE CASE OF AN ON LINE BINGO LICENSE , 1% OF 1
THE ONLINE BINGO LICENSEE’S AVERAGE ANNUAL BINGO PROCEEDS RETAINED BY 2
THE LICENSEE UNDER § 9–1F–05(C)(1)(II) OF THIS SUBTITLE FOR THE PRECEDING 3
3–YEAR PERIOD. 4

(C) ON A PROPERLY APPROVE D TRANSMITTAL PREPARED BY THE 5
COMMISSION, THE COMPTROLLER SHALL PAY THE FOLLOWING AMOUNT S FROM 6
THE LICENSE FEES COLLECTED BY THE COMMISSION UNDER THIS SECTION: 7

(1) AN AMOUNT TO THE STATE LOTTERY AND GAMING CONTROL 8
AGENCY NECESSARY TO REIMBURSE THE AGENCY FOR EXPENSES RELATED TO THE 9
ISSUANCE AND RENEWAL OF LICENSES UNDER THIS SECTION; 10

(2) 1% TO THE PROBLEM GAMBLING FUND ESTABLISHED UNDE R § 11
9–1A–33 OF THIS TITLE; AND 12

(3) THE REMAINDER TO THE BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND’S FUTURE 13
FUND ESTABLISHED UNDER § 5–206 OF THE EDUCATION ARTICLE. 14

(D) FOR ALL LICENSES REQUIRED UNDER THIS SECTION AND § 9–1F–02 OF 15
THIS SUBTITLE FOR AN ONLINE GAMING OPERAT OR, IF AN APPLICANT HOLDS A 16
VALID GAMING OR GAMING OPERATION LICENSE IN THIS STATE OR AT LEAST THREE 17
OTHER STATES AND THE COMMISSION DETERMINES THAT THE LICENSING 18
STANDARDS OF THE ISS UING AGENCY ARE COMP REHENSIVE AND THOROU GH AND 19
PROVIDE SIMILAR AND ADEQUATE SAFEGUARDS TO THOSE PROVIDED IN THIS 20
SUBTITLE, THE COMMISSION MAY: 21

(1) WAIVE SOME OR ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION; 22
AND 23

(2) ISSUE A LICENSE TO THAT APPLICANT. 24

(E) (1) WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER THE ISSUANCE OF AN INTERNET GAMING 25
LICENSE OR ONLINE BINGO LICE NSE, THE LICENSEE SHALL S UBMIT TO THE 26
COMMISSION A DIVERSITY PLAN THAT DESCRIBES THE STEPS THAT THE LICENSEE 27
WILL TAKE TO PROMOTE MEANINGFUL DIVERSITY AMONG ITS OWNERS, INVESTORS, 28
MANAGERS, EMPLOYEES, AND CONTRACTORS AND TO PROMOTE EQUALITY OF 29
OPPORTUNITY. 30

(2) EACH INTERNET GAMING LICEN SEE AND ONLINE BINGO 31
LICENSEE SHALL MAKE GOOD FAITH EFFORTS TO MEET THE DIVERSITY OBJECTIVES 32
OUTLINED IN THE DIVE RSITY PLAN SUBMITTED UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS 33
SUBSECTION AND REPOR T TO THE COMMISSION ANY NECESS ARY METRICS TO 34
MEASURE PROGRESS IN MEETING THOSE OBJECTIVES. 35
18 SENATE BILL 885

(3) THE COMMISSION MAY MAKE T HE DIVERSITY PLANS A ND 1
METRICS SUBMITTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SUBSECTION AVAILABLE TO THE 2
PUBLIC. 3

(F) (1) AN INTERNET GAMING LICEN SEE OR ONLINE BINGO LICE NSEE 4
MAY NOT TRANSFER OWN ERSHIP OR CONTROL OF THE LICENSE FOR A PE RIOD OF 5
AT LEAST 3 YEARS FOLLOWING ISSUANCE OF THE LICENSE. 6

(2) THE LIMITATIONS UNDER THIS SUBSECTION DO N OT APPLY TO 7
TRANSFERS AS A RESUL T OF THE DISABILITY , INCAPACITY, OR DEATH OF THE 8
OWNER OF AN INTERNET GAMING LICEN SE OR ONLINE BINGO LICENSE , 9
BANKRUPTCY OR RECEIVERSHIP IN ACCORDANCE WITH A LENDING AGREEMENT OF 10
AN INTERNET GAMING LICENSEE OR ONLINE BINGO LICENSEE, OR COURT ORDER. 11

9–1F–04. 12

(A) EACH INTERNET GAMING LICENSEE AND ONLINE BINGO LICENSEE: 13

(1) SHALL: 14

(I) COMPLY WITH ALL STATE AND FEDERAL DATA PRIVACY AND 15
SECURITY LAWS; 16

(II) MAINTAIN ALL INTERNET GAMING DATA AND ONLINE BINGO 17
DATA SECURELY FOR AT LEAST 5 YEARS; 18

(III) AUTHORIZE ONLY INDIV IDUALS WHO ARE AT LE AST 21 19
YEARS OF AGE TO ENGAGE IN INTERNET GAMING AND ONLINE BINGO; AND 20

(IV) VERIFY AN INDIVIDUAL ’S AGE AND IDENTITY A T THE TIME 21
THE INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHES AN INTERNET GAMING ACCOUNT OR ONLINE BINGO 22
ACCOUNT AND PERIODICALLY REVERIFY THE INDIVIDUAL’S IDENTITY; AND 23

(2) MAY NOT: 24

(I) SHARE ANY PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMA TION 25
WITH ANY THIRD PARTIES WITHOUT PERMISSION, EXCEPT AS NEEDED TO OPERATE 26
INTERNET GAMING OR ONLINE BINGO, ADMINISTER THE LICENSEE’S OBLIGATIONS 27
UNDER THIS SUBTITLE, AND SUPPORT PROBLEM GAMBLING INITIATIVES; 28

(II) TARGET ADVERTISING T O INDIVIDUALS WHO AR E 29
PROHIBITED FROM PART ICIPATING IN GAMBLIN G ACTIVITIES UNDER THI S TITLE 30
AND OTHER AT–RISK INDIVIDUALS; OR 31
SENATE BILL 885 19

(III) ENGAGE IN ANY FALSE OR DECEPTIVE ADVERTISING. 1

(B) (1) THE FINDINGS AND EVID ENCE RELIED ON BY TH E GENERAL 2
ASSEMBLY FOR THE CONT INUATION OF THE MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE 3
PROGRAM UN DER TITLE 14, SUBTITLE 3 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND 4
PROCUREMENT ARTICLE ARE INCORPORATED IN THIS SUBSECTION. 5

(2) TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE AND AUTHORIZED BY THE UNITED 6
STATES CONSTITUTION, AN INTERNET GAMING LICENSEE SHALL COMPLY WITH THE 7
STATE’S MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM. 8

(3) (I) WITHIN 6 MONTHS AFTER THE ISSUANCE OF AN INTERNET 9
GAMING LICENSE UNDER THIS SUBTITLE , THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF SMALL, 10
MINORITY, AND WOMEN BUSINESS AFFAIRS, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE OFFICE 11
OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE INTERNET GAMING LICEN SEE, SHALL 12
ESTABLISH A CLEAR PLAN FOR SETTING REASONABLE AND APPROPRIATE MINORITY 13
BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PARTICIPATION GOALS AND PROCEDURES FOR T HE 14
PROCUREMENT OF GOODS AND SERVICES RELATED TO INTERNET GAMING. 15

(II) TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE, THE GOALS AND 16
PROCEDURES SPECIFIED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH SH ALL BE 17
BASED ON THE REQUIREMENTS OF TITLE 14, SUBTITLE 3 OF THE STATE FINANCE 18
AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE AND THE REGUL ATIONS IMPLEMENTING THAT 19
SUBTITLE. 20

(C) AN APPLICANT FOR AN INTERNET GAMING LICEN SE, AN INTERNET 21
GAMING LICENSEE , OR AN ENTITY THAT OP ERATES A LIVE DEALER STUDIO ON 22
BEHALF OF AN INTERNET GAMING LICEN SEE SHALL PRODUCE INFORM ATION, 23
DOCUMENTATION, AND ASSURANCES TO ES TABLISH BY CLEAR AND CONVINCING 24
EVIDENCE THAT: 25

(1) UNLESS THE APPLICANT , LICENSEE, OR LIVE DEALER STUDI O 26
OPERATOR ALREADY HAS A COLLEC TIVE BARGAINING AGRE EMENT, THE 27
APPLICANT, LICENSEE, OR LIVE DEALER STUDI O OPERATOR HAS ENTERED INTO A 28
LABOR PEACE AGREEMEN T WITH EACH LABOR OR GANIZATION THAT IS A CTIVELY 29
ENGAGED IN REPRESENT ING OR ATTEMPTING TO REPRESENT INTERNET GAMING 30
INDUSTRY WORKERS IN THE STATE, INCLUDING DEALERS CO NDUCTING LIVE 31
DEALER GAMES IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 9–1F–10 OF THIS SUBTITLE; 32

(2) THE LABOR PEACE AGRE EMENT IS VALID AND E NFORCEABLE 33
UNDER 29 U.S.C. § 158; 34

20 SENATE BILL 885

(3) THE LABOR PEACE AGRE EMENT PROTECTS THE STATE’S 1
REVENUES BY PROHIBIT ING THE LABOR ORGANI ZATION AND ITS MEMBE RS FROM 2
ENGAGING IN PICKETIN G, WORK STOPPAGES , BOYCOTTS, AND ANY OTHER 3
ECONOMIC INTERFERENCE WITH THE OPERATION OF INTERNET GAMING WITHIN 4
THE FIRST 5 YEARS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF AN INTERNET GAMING LICENSE; 5
AND 6

(4) THE APPLICANT, LICENSEE, OR LIVE DEALER STUDIO OPERATOR 7
INTENDS TO MAINTAIN A NEUTRAL POSITION O N THE UNIONIZATION O F ANY 8
EMPLOYEES OF THE APP LICANT, LICENSEE, OR OPERATOR , INCLUDING BY 9
REFRAINING FROM MAKI NG ANY STATEMENT OR IMPLICATION THAT THE 10
APPLICANT, LICENSEE, OR OPERATOR: 11

(I) OPPOSES THE SELECTIO N OR DESELECTION OF A 12
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGENT; OR 13

(II) SUPPORTS OR OPPOSES THE SELECTION OF A PARTICULAR 14
LABOR ORGANIZATION AS A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGENT. 15

9–1F–05. 16

(A) (1) THE COMMISSION SHALL ACCOUNT TO THE COMPTROLLER FOR 17
ALL OF THE REVENUE UNDER THIS SUBTITLE. 18

(2) THE GAMING PROCEEDS FROM INTERNET GAMING , LESS THE 19
AMOUNT RETAINED BY THE LICENSEE UNDE R SUBSECTION (B)(1)(II) OF THIS 20
SECTION, SHALL BE UNDER THE C ONTROL OF THE COMPTROLLER AND 21
DISTRIBUTED AS PROVIDED UNDER SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION. 22

(3) THE BINGO PROCEEDS FROM ONLINE BINGO, LESS THE AMOUNT 23
RETAINED BY THE LICENSEE UNDER SUBSECTION (C)(1)(II) OF THIS SECTION , 24
SHALL BE UNDER THE C ONTROL OF THE COMPTROLLER AND DISTR IBUTED AS 25
PROVIDED UNDER SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION. 26

(B) (1) (I) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF THIS 27
PARAGRAPH, ALL GAMING PROCEEDS FROM INTERNET GAMING SHALL BE 28
ELECTRONICALLY TRANS FERRED DAILY INTO THE STATE LOTTERY FUND 29
ESTABLISHED UNDER SUBTITLE 1 OF THIS TITLE. 30

(II) AN INTERNET GAMING LICENSEE SHALL RETAIN: 31

1. 80% OF THE GAMING PROCEEDS FROM LIVE D EALER 32
GAMES CONDUCTED BY THE LICENSEE IN ACCO RDANCE WITH § 9–1F–10 OF THIS 33
SUBTITLE; AND 34
SENATE BILL 885 21

2. 60% OF THE GAMING PROCEEDS RECEIVED BY THE 1
LICENSEE FROM ALL OTHER INTERNET GAMING. 2

(2) ALL GAMING PROCEEDS FROM INTERNET GAMING IN THE STATE 3
LOTTERY FUND ESTABLISHED UNDE R SUBTITLE 1 OF THIS TITLE SHALL BE 4
DISTRIBUTED ON A MON THLY BASIS , ON A PROPERLY APPROV ED TRANSMITTAL 5
PREPARED BY THE COMMISSION IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER: 6

(I) FOR THE FIRST 12 MONTHS THAT INTERNET GAMING IS IN 7
OPERATION IN THE STATE, UP TO $10,000,000 TO THE VIDEO LOTTERY FACILITY 8
EMPLOYEE DISPLACEMENT FUND ESTABLISHED UNDE R § 9–1F–13 OF THIS 9
SUBTITLE; 10

(II) TO JURISDICTIONS WIT H VIDEO LOTTERY FACI LITIES 11
BASED ON EACH JURISD ICTION’S PERCENTAGE OF OVER ALL GROSS REVENUES 12
FROM VIDEO LOTTERY T ERMINALS FOR THE PURPOSES DESCRIB ED UNDER § 13
9–1A–31(B) OF THIS TITLE: 14

1. $6,500,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2028; 15

2. $8,300,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2029; 16

3. $10,000,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2030; 17

4. $11,300,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2031; AND 18

5. $11,400,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2032; 19

(III) TO THE PURSE DEDICATION ACCOUNT ESTABLISHED 20
UNDER § 9–1A–28 OF THIS TITLE: 21

1. $4,900,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2028; 22

2. $6,300,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2029; 23

3. $7,600,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2030; 24

4. $8,600,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2031; AND 25

5. $8,700,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2032; 26

(IV) TO THE RACETRACK FACILITY RENEWAL ACCOUNT 27
ESTABLISHED UNDER § 9–1A–29 OF THIS TITLE: 28

22 SENATE BILL 885

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

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

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

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

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

1. $1,300,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2028; 8

2. $1,600,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2029; 9

3. $1,900,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2030; AND 10

4. $2,200,000 IN EACH OF FISCAL YEARS 2031 AND 2032; 11

(VI) 1% OF ALL GAMING PROCEEDS TO THE STATE LOTTERY AND 12
GAMING CONTROL AGENCY FOR THE COST OF PERF ORMING BACKGROUND 13
INVESTIGATIONS AND OTHER REGULATORY ACTIVITIES; 14

(VII) 1% OF ALL GAMING PROCEEDS TO THE PROBLEM 15
GAMBLING FUND ESTABLISHED UNDER § 9–1A–33 OF THIS TITLE; 16

(VIII) 5% OF ALL GAMING PROCEEDS TO COUNTY GOVERNING 17
BODIES, DISTRIBUTED TO EACH COUNTY BASED ON THE COUNTY’S CURRENT FISCAL 18
YEAR ENROLLMENT COUNT, AS DEFINED IN § 5–201 OF THE EDUCATION ARTICLE, 19
TO BE USED TO ASSIST COUNTIES IN MEETING THEIR EDUCATION FUND ING 20
REQUIREMENTS UNDER § 5–235(A) OF THE EDUCATION ARTICLE; AND 21

(IX) THE REMAINDER TO THE BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND’S 22
FUTURE FUND ESTABLISHED UNDER § 5–206 OF THE EDUCATION ARTICLE. 23

(C) (1) (I) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF THIS 24
PARAGRAPH, ALL BINGO PROCEEDS FROM ONLINE BINGO SHALL BE 25
ELECTRONICALLY TRANS FERRED DAILY INTO THE STATE LOTTERY FUND 26
ESTABLISHED UNDER SUBTITLE 1 OF THIS TITLE. 27

(II) AN ONLINE BINGO LICENSEE SHALL RETAI N 60% OF THE 28
BINGO PROCEEDS RECEIVED BY THE LICENSEE FROM ONLINE BINGO. 29

SENATE BILL 885 23

(2) ALL BINGO PROCEEDS FROM ONLINE BINGO IN THE STATE 1
LOTTERY FUND ESTABLISHED UNDE R SUBTITLE 1 OF THIS TITLE SHALL BE 2
DISTRIBUTED ON A MON THLY BASIS , ON A PROPERLY APPROV ED TRANSMITTAL 3
PREPARED BY THE COMMISSION IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER: 4

(I) 1% OF ALL BINGO PROCEEDS TO THE STATE LOTTERY AND 5
GAMING CONTROL AGENCY FOR THE COST O F PERFORMING BACKGRO UND 6
INVESTIGATIONS AND OTHER REGULATORY ACTIVITIES; 7

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

(III) 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, EACH INTERNET GAMING LICEN SEE AND ONLINE BINGO LIC ENSEE 14
SHALL: 15

(1) CAUSE THE WORDS “IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW HAS A 16
GAMBLING PROBLEM AND WANTS HELP , CALL 1–800–GAMBLER” OR SOME 17
COMPARABLE LANGUAGE APPROVED BY THE COMMISSION TO BE DISP LAYED 18
PROMINENTLY AT LOG –ON AND LOG –OFF TIMES TO ANY IND IVIDUAL VISITING OR 19
LOGGED ONTO AN INTERNET GAMING OR ONLINE BINGO PLATFORM; 20

(2) REQUIRE AN INTERNET GAMING OR ONLINE BINGO ACCOUNT 21
HOLDER TO ESTABLISH A LIMIT ON THE AMOUN T OF MONEY DEPOSITED WITHIN A 22
SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME AND THE LENGTH OF TIME THE ACCOUNT HOLDER WILL 23
BE UNABLE T O PARTICIPATE IN INTERNET GAMING OR ONLINE BINGO AND MAKE 24
ADDITIONAL DEPOSITS IF THE ACCOUNT HOLDE R REACHES THE ESTABL ISHED 25
DEPOSIT LIMIT; 26

(3) PROVIDE A MECHANISM BY WHICH AN INTERNET GAMING OR 27
ONLINE BINGO ACCOUNT HOLDER MAY E STABLISH A TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF 28
INTERNET GAMING OR ONLINE BINGO ACTIVITY THROUGH THE ACCOUNT FOR ANY 29
NUMBER OF HOURS OR DAYS; 30

(4) PROHIBIT THE USE OF CREDIT CARDS FOR ANY INTERNET 31
GAMING–RELATED OR ONLINE BINGO–RELATED TRANSACTIONS; AND 32

24 SENATE BILL 885

(5) (I) CAUSE THE DISPLAY OF A PROBLEM GAMBLING 1
DISCLOSURE CONCERNIN G THE RISKS ASSOCIAT ED WITH GAMBLING AND THE 2
SUPPORT AVAILABLE TO PROBLEM GAMBLERS AT ACCOUNT LOGIN; 3

(II) REQUIRE AN INDIVIDUA L TO CERTIFY THAT TH E 4
INDIVIDUAL HAS READ THE DISCLOSURE DESCRIBED UNDER ITEM (I) OF THIS ITEM 5
BEFORE ESTABLISHING AN INTERNET GAMING OR ONLINE BINGO ACCOUNT; AND 6

(III) REQUIRE EACH USER TO CERTIFY ON A MONTHLY BASIS 7
THAT THE USER HAS RE AD THE DISCLOSURE DE SCRIBED UNDER ITEM (I) OF THIS 8
ITEM. 9

(B) IF A SUSPENSION OF INTERNET GAMING OR ONLINE BINGO ACTIVITY 10
UNDER SUBSECTION (A)(3) OF THIS SECTION IS IMPOSED BY THE ACCOUNT HOLDER 11
FOR AT LEAST 72 HOURS, THE INTERNET GAMING LICEN SEE OR ONLINE BINGO 12
LICENSEE MAY NOT SEND GAMING –RELATED E –MAIL TO THE ACCOUNT HOLDER 13
UNTIL THE SUSPENSION EXPIRES. 14

(C) (1) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , 15
EACH INTERNET GAMING LICENSEE AND ONLINE BINGO LICENSEE SHALL PROVIDE 16
A MECHANISM BY WHICH AN ACCOUNT HOLDER MA Y PERIODICALLY CHANGE THE 17
CONTROLS ON GAMING ACTIVITY IMPOSED BY THE ACCOUNT HOLDER UNDER THIS 18
SECTION. 19

(2) IF THE ACCOUNT IS SUS PENDED BY THE ACCOUN T HOLDER 20
UNDER SUBSECTION (A)(3) OF THIS SECTION , THE ACCOUNT HOLDER M AY NOT 21
CHANGE GAMING CONTROLS UNTIL THE SUSPENSION EXPIRES. 22

(3) IF AN ACCOUNT HOLDER SEEKS TO INCREASE THE LIMIT ON THE 23
AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT THE ACCOUNT HOLDER MAY DEPOSIT WITHIN A PERIOD 24
OF TIME SPECIFIED UN DER SUBSECTION (A)(2) OF THIS SECTION , THE INTERNET 25
GAMING LICENSEE OR ONLINE BINGO LICENSEE MAY NOT REFLECT THE INCREASED 26
LIMIT FOR AT LEAST 24 HOURS. 27

(D) NOTWITHSTANDING A TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF INTERNET GAMING 28
OR ONLINE BINGO ACTIVITY IMPOSED BY AN ACCOUNT HOLDER UNDER SUBSECTION 29
(A)(3) OF THIS SECTION , THE ACCOUNT HOLDER M AY CONTINUE TO HAVE ACCESS 30
TO THE ACCOUNT AND I S AUTHORIZED TO WITH DRAW FUNDS FROM THE ACCOUN T 31
ON PROPER APPLICATION TO THE INTERNET GAMING LICENSEE OR ONLINE BINGO 32
LICENSEE. 33

(E) (1) THE COMMISSION SHALL ADOP T REGULATIONS THAT A RE 34
INTENDED TO REDUCE OR MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF PROBLEM GAMBLING. 35

SENATE BILL 885 25

(2) THE REGULATIONS SHALL: 1

(I) INCLUDE ESTABLISHMEN T OF A VOLUNTARY EXC LUSION 2
LIST OF INDIVIDUALS WITH GAMBLING PROBLE MS WHO HAVE REQUESTE D TO BE 3
EXCLUDED FROM ANY INTERNET GAMING OR ONLINE BINGO ACTIVITY LICENSED 4
UNDER THIS SUBTITLE; AND 5

(II) PROVIDE A SIMPLE MECHANISM FOR AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS 6
SOBER AND INFORMED T O REQUEST PLACEMENT ON THE VOLUNTARY EXC LUSION 7
LIST FOR A SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME. 8

(3) UNLESS AN INDIVIDUAL REQUESTING PLACEMENT ON THE 9
VOLUNTARY EXCLUSION LIST AFFIRMATIVELY D ECLINES THE PROVISIO N OF THE 10
INDIVIDUAL’S CONTACT INFORMATIO N TO THE MARYLAND CENTER OF 11
EXCELLENCE ON PROBLEM GAMBLING, THE COMMISSION SHALL PROV IDE THE 12
INDIVIDUAL’S CONTACT INFORMATIO N TO THE CENTER FOR THE PURPOS E OF 13
PROVIDING THE INDIVI DUAL INFORMATION ABO UT FREE AND CONFIDEN TIAL 14
RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING ASSISTANCE. 15

(4) AN INTERNET GAMING LICENSEE OR ONLINE BINGO LICENSEE: 16

(I) MAY NOT PERMIT AN IN DIVIDUAL ON THE VOLU NTARY 17
EXCLUSION LIST TO ESTABLISH AN INTERNET GAMING ACCOUNT OR ONLINE BINGO 18
ACCOUNT OR ENGAGE IN INTERNET GAMING OR ONLINE BINGO; AND 19

(II) MAY PERMIT AN INDIVI DUAL ON THE VOLUNTAR Y 20
EXCLUSION LIST WHO PREVIOUSLY ESTABLISHED AN INTERNET GAMING ACCOUNT 21
OR ONLINE BINGO ACCOUNT TO ACCESS THE ACCOUNT ONLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF 22
VIEWING AND DOWNLOADING THE INDIVIDUAL’S TRANSACTION HISTORY. 23

(5) THE COMMISSION MAY IMPOSE SANCTIONS ON A LICEN SEE IN 24
ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SUBTITLE IF THE LICE NSEE KNOWINGLY FAILS TO 25
EXCLUDE AN INDIVIDUAL ON THE VOLUNTARY EXCLUSION LIST FROM ENGAGING IN 26
INTERNET GAMING OR ONLINE BINGO. 27

(F) AT LEAST ONCE EACH YE AR, EACH INTERNET GAMING LICEN SEE AND 28
ONLINE BINGO LICENSEE SHALL REPORT TO THE COMMISSION ON: 29

(1) THE NUMBER OF PLAYER S THAT THE INTERNET GAMING 30
LICENSEE OR ONLINE BINGO LICENSEE HAS IDENTIFIED AS ENGAGING IN ERRATIC 31
OR INCREASED GAMBLING BEHAVIOR; AND 32

(2) THE NUMBER AND LENGT H OF ANY BANS OR SUS PENSIONS IN 33
RESPONSE TO THE BEHAVIOR DESCRIBED UNDER ITEM (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION. 34
26 SENATE BILL 885

9–1F–07. 1

(A) THE COMMISSION MAY IMPOSE A PENALTY NOT EXCEEDING $1,000,000 2
AGAINST ANY PERSON WHO KNOWINGLY: 3

(1) TAMPERS WITH SOFTWARE, COMPUTERS, OR OTHER EQUIPMENT 4
USED TO CONDUCT INTERNET GAMING OR ONLINE BINGO TO ALTER THE ODDS OR 5
THE PAYOUT OF A GAME OR DISABLE THE GAME FROM OPERATING ACCORDING TO 6
THE RULES OF THE GAME AS ADOPTED BY THE COMMISSION; OR 7

(2) OFFERS OR ALLOWS TO BE OFFERED ANY INTERNET GAME OR 8
ONLINE BINGO THAT HAS BEEN TAMPERED WITH IN A WAY THAT AFFECTS THE ODDS 9
OR THE PAYOUT OF A GAME OR HAS BEEN DISABLED FROM OPERATING ACCORDING 10
TO THE RULES OF THE GAME AS ADOPTED BY THE COMMISSION. 11

(B) IN ADDITION TO ANY PE NALTIES IMPOSED UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OF 12
THIS SECTION, THE COMMISSION MAY SUSPEND, FOR NOT LESS THAN 30 DAYS, THE 13
LICENSE OF AN INTERNET GAMING LICENSEE, AN ONLINE BINGO LICENSEE, OR ANY 14
OTHER PERSON REQUIRE D TO BE LICENSED UND ER THIS SUBTITLE WHO IS IN 15
VIOLATION OF SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION. 16

9–1F–08. 17

ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1 EACH YEAR , THE MARYLAND CENTER OF 18
EXCELLENCE ON PROBLEM GAMBLING SHALL REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND, IN 19
ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THIS ARTICLE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON: 20

(1) THE IMPACT OF INTERNET GAMING AND ONLINE BINGO ON 21
PROBLEM GAMBLERS AND GAMBLING ADDICTION IN THE STATE; AND 22

(2) THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE STATUTORY AND RE GULATORY 23
CONTROLS IN PLACE TO ENSURE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MEASURES TO PROTECT 24
VULNERABLE AND PROBLEM GAMBLERS. 25

9–1F–09. 26

(A) ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1 EACH YEAR , AN INTERNET GAMING 27
LICENSEE SHALL PROVI DE ALL TRANSACTIONAL DATA AND METRICS REL ATED TO 28
INTERNET GAMING CONDUCTED IN THE STATE AND ACQUIRED BY AN OPERATOR OF 29
THE LICENSEE ON A MONTHLY, QUARTERLY, OR ANNUAL BASIS TO MORGAN STATE 30
UNIVERSITY AND BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY. 31

SENATE BILL 885 27

(B) THE TRANSACTIONAL DATA AND METRICS PROVID ED IN ACCORDANCE 1
WITH SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION SHAL L EXCLUDE ANY PERSON ALLY 2
IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION. 3

9–1F–10. 4

(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 5
INDICATED. 6

(2) “AUTHORIZED INTERACTIV E GAME ” MEANS ANY 7
INTERNET–BASED VERSION , OR SUBSTANTIAL EQUIV ALENT, OF A TABLE GAME , 8
POKER TOURNAMENT , GAMING TOURNAMENT , OR ANY OTHER G AME TYPICALLY 9
OFFERED IN A CASINO AND APPROVED BY THE COMMISSION, INCLUDING GAMES IN 10
WHICH INDIVIDUALS WA GER MONEY OR SOMETHI NG OF MONETARY VALUE AND 11
THAT ARE ACCESSED BY A COMPUTER OR MOBILE DEVICE THAT IS CONNECTED TO 12
THE INTERNET. 13

(3) (I) “LIVE DEALE R GAME ” MEANS AN AUTHORIZED 14
INTERACTIVE GAME CON DUCTED BY LIVE STUDI O DEALERS OR OTHER P HYSICAL 15
GAMING EQUIPMENT, SUCH AS AN AUTOMATED ROULETTE WHEEL, BALL BLOWER, 16
OR GAMING DEVICE , OR BOTH , IN A LIVE GAME ENVIR ONMENT IN WHICH THE 17
AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANTS HAVE THE ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN GAMEPLAY AND 18
COMMUNICATE GAME DECISIONS THROUGH AN AUTHORIZED INTERACTIVE GAMING 19
PLATFORM. 20

(II) “LIVE DEALER GAME” INCLUDES A LIVE CARD GAME, A LIVE 21
TABLE GAME, AND ANY OTHER LIVE AUTHORIZED INTERACTIVE GAME. 22

(4) “LIVE GAMING STUDIO ” MEANS A PHYSICAL LOC ATION IN THE 23
STATE THAT UTILIZES L IVE VIDEO STREAMING TECHNOLOGY TO PROVID E 24
AUTHORIZED INTERACTIVE GAMES TO A PLAYER’S INTERACTIVE GAMING DEVICE OR 25
MULTI–USE COMPUTING DEVICE. 26

(5) “LIVE STUDIO DEALER” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO: 27

(I) LEADS A TABLE GAME , INCLUDING BLACKJACK , CRAPS, 28
POKER, ROULETTE, OR ANY OTHER AUTHORI ZED INTERACTIVE GAME , WHILE 29
ASSISTING AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANTS WITH GAME–RELATED NEEDS; 30

(II) DISTRIBUTES VIRTUAL CARDS, DICE, OR OTHER 31
EQUIPMENT TO AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANTS ACCORDING TO THE TABLE GAME OR 32
AUTHORIZED INTERACTIVE GAME; AND 33

(III) MONITORS GAME PACE AND PLAY. 34
28 SENATE BILL 885

(B) SUBJECT TO APPROVAL B Y THE COMMISSION, AN INTERNET GAMING 1
LICENSEE MAY OFFER A UTHORIZED INTERACTIV E GAMES , INCLUDING GAMING 2
TOURNAMENTS IN WHICH PLAYERS COMPETE AGAI NST ONE ANOTHER IN O NE OR 3
MORE OF THE GAMES AUTHORIZED UNDER THIS SUBTITLE OR BY THE COMMISSION 4
OR IN APPROVED VARIATIONS OR COMPOSITES OF THOSE GAMES. 5

(C) AN ONLINE GAMING OPERATOR THAT CONDUCTS AND OP ERATES 6
INTERNET GAMING ON BEHALF OF AN INTERNET GAMING LICENSEE MAY USE LIVE 7
STUDIO DEALERS TO ADMINISTER AN AUTHORIZED INTERACTIVE GAME. 8

(D) A LIVE GAMING STUDIO U SED TO CONDUCT A LIV E DEALER GAME 9
AUTHORIZED UNDER THIS SECTION: 10

(1) SHALL BE LOCATED WITHIN THE STATE; AND 11

(2) IF THE INTERNET GAMING LICEN SEE IS A VIDEO LOTTE RY 12
OPERATOR, SHALL BE LOCATED WIT HIN THE COUNTY WITHI N WHICH THE VIDEO 13
LOTTERY FACILITY IS LOCATED. 14

9–1F–11. 15

(A) IN THIS SECTION , “GOVERNMENT” MEANS ANY GOVERNMENTAL UNIT, 16
OTHER THAN THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT, OF A NATIONAL, STATE, OR LOCAL 17
BODY EXERCISING GOVERNMENTAL FUNCTIONS. 18

(B) ON RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMISSION, THE GOVERNOR, ON 19
BEHALF OF THE STATE, IS AUTHORIZED TO: 20

(1) ENTER INTO AN AGREE MENT WITH OTHER GOVE RNMENTS, 21
SUBJECT TO THE LIMITATIONS OF THIS SECTION, THAT ALLOWS AND PROVIDES FOR 22
PARTICIPATION IN MUL TIJURISDICTIONAL INTERNET GAMING BY IN DIVIDUALS 23
WHO ARE PHYSICALLY L OCATED IN JURISDICTI ONS OVER WHICH THE 24
GOVERNMENTS THAT ARE A PART Y TO THE AGREEMENT E XERCISE LEGAL 25
AUTHORITY; AND 26

(2) TAKE ALL NECESSARY A CTIONS TO ENSURE THA T ANY 27
AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO UNDER THIS SECTION BECOMES EFFECTIVE. 28

(C) THE COMMISSION MAY ADOPT REGULATIONS UNDER TH IS SECTION 29
THAT PROVIDE FOR: 30

(1) THE FORM, LENGTH, AND TERMS OF AN AGREEMENT AUTHORIZED 31
UNDER THIS SECTION; 32
SENATE BILL 885 29

(2) MATTERS RELATING TO THE TAXATION OF INTERNET GAMING 1
REVENUE BY THE PARTIES TO THE AGREEMENT; 2

(3) THE SHARING AND DIST RIBUTION OF INTERNET GAMING 3
REVENUE AMONG THE PARTIES TO THE AGREEMENT; 4

(4) RESOLUTION OF PLAYER DISPUTES; 5

(5) THE INFORMATION THAT A GOVERNMENT PROPOSING TO ENTER 6
INTO THE AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE MUST PROVIDE TO THE COMMISSION; 7

(6) THE MANNER AND PROCE DURE FOR HEARINGS CO NDUCTED BY 8
THE COMMISSION WITH RESPECT TO ANY AGREE MENT AUTHORIZED UNDE R THIS 9
SECTION; 10

(7) THE INFORMATION THAT THE COMMISSION SHALL PROVIDE TO 11
THE GOVERNOR THAT SUPPORT S THE RECOMMENDATION S OF THE COMMISSION 12
MADE UNDER THIS SECTION; AND 13

(8) ANY OTHER PROVISION NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THIS SECTION. 14

(D) THE GOVERNOR MAY NOT ENTE R INTO AN AGREEMENT UNDER THIS 15
SECTION UNLESS THE AGREEMENT INCLUDES TERMS: 16

(1) FOR ANY POTENTIAL AR RANGEMENT FOR THE SH ARING OF 17
REVENUES BY THE PARTIES TO THE AGREEMENT; 18

(2) PERMITTING THE EFFECTIVE REGULATION OF INTERNET GAMING 19
BY THE STATE, INCLUDING PROVISIONS RELATING TO LICENSIN G, TECHNICAL 20
STANDARDS TO BE FOLL OWED, RESOLUTION OF DISPUT ES BY PATRONS , 21
REQUIREMENTS FOR BAN KROLLS, ENFORCEMENT, ACCOUNTING, AND 22
MAINTENANCE OF RECORDS; 23

(3) BY WHICH EACH PARTY TO THE AGREEMENT AGREES TO PROHIBIT 24
OPERATORS OF INTERNET GAMING, SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND MANUFACTURERS OR 25
DISTRIBUTORS OF INTERNET GAMING SYSTEMS FROM ENGAGING IN ANY ACTIVITY 26
PERMITTED UNDER THE AGREEMENT UNLESS THO SE PERSONS ARE LICEN SED OR 27
FOUND SUITABLE: 28

(I) UNDER THIS SUBTITLE; OR 29

30 SENATE BILL 885

(II) BY ANY OTHER PARTY T O THE AGREEMENT UNDE R 1
REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE MATERIALLY CONSISTENT WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF 2
THIS SUBTITLE; 3

(4) PROHIBITING VARIATIO N OR DEROGATION FROM THE 4
REQUIREMENTS OF THE AGREEMENT FOR ANY PARTY TO THE AGREEMENT ABSENT 5
THE CONSENT OF ALL PARTIES TO THE AGREEMENT; 6

(5) PROHIBITING ANY SUBORDINATE OR SIDE AGREEMENTS, EXCEPT 7
WITH RESPECT TO SHAR ING OF REVENUES , AMONG ANY SUBSET OF THE 8
GOVERNMENTS THAT ARE PARTIES TO THE AGREEMENT; AND 9

(6) IF THE AGREEMENT ALL OWS PERSONS PHYSICALLY LOCATED IN 10
THE STATE TO PARTICIPATE IN INTERNET GAMING CONDUCTED BY ANOTHER PARTY 11
TO THE AGREEMENT OR AN OPERATOR OF INTERNET GAMING LICEN SED BY THE 12
OTHER PARTY, REQUIRING THAT PARTY TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN REGULATORY 13
REQUIREMENTS GOVERNING INTERNET GAMING THAT ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE 14
REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SUBTITLE IN ALL MATERIAL RESPECTS. 15

9–1F–12. 16

ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 1 EACH YEAR, THE COMMISSION SHALL REPORT 17
TO THE GOVERNOR AND, IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THIS ARTICLE , THE 18
GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON: 19

(1) THE OPERATION OF INTERNET GAMING AND ONLINE BINGO IN 20
THE STATE; AND 21

(2) THE IMPACT OF INTERNET GAMING AND ONLINE BINGO ON VIDEO 22
LOTTERY FACILITIES, OTHER GAMING VENUES, AND ANCILLARY BUSINESSES THAT 23
SURROUND THOSE VIDEO LOTTERY FACILITIES AND GAMING VENUES. 24

9–1F–13. 25

(A) IN THIS SECTION , “FUND” MEANS THE VIDEO LOTTERY FACILITY 26
EMPLOYEE DISPLACEMENT FUND. 27

(B) THERE IS A VIDEO LOTTERY FACILITY EMPLOYEE DISPLACEMENT 28
FUND. 29

(C) THE PURPOSE OF THE FUND IS TO SUPPORT VIDEO LOTTERY FACILITY 30
EMPLOYEES WHO ARE DISPLACED BY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF INTERNET GAMING. 31

(D) THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF LABOR SHALL ADMINISTE R THE 32
SENATE BILL 885 31

FUND. 1

(E) (1) THE FUND IS A SPECIAL , NONLAPSING FUND THAT IS NO T 2
SUBJECT TO § 7–302 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE. 3

(2) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL HOLD THE FUND SEPARATELY , 4
AND THE COMPTROLLER SHALL ACCOUNT FOR THE FUND. 5

(F) THE FUND CONSISTS OF: 6

(1) REVENUE DISTRIBUTED TO THE FUND UNDER § 9–1F–05(B)(2)(I) 7
OF THIS SUBTITLE; 8

(2) MONEY APPROPRIATED IN THE STATE BUDGET TO THE FUND; AND 9

(3) ANY OTHER MONEY FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE ACC EPTED FOR 10
THE BENEFIT OF THE FUND. 11

(G) THE FUND MAY BE USED ONLY: 12

(1) FOR ADMINISTRATIVE E XPENSES RELATED TO ADMINISTRATION 13
OF THE FUND; 14

(2) FOR GRANTS TO FORMER VIDEO LOTTERY FACILITY EMPLOYEES 15
DISPLACED BY THE IMP LEMENTATION OF INTERNET GAMING TO OF FSET ANY 16
REDUCTION IN THE TAKE–HOME PAY OF THE FORMER EMPLOYEES; 17

(3) TO SUPPLEMENT UNEMPL OYMENT INSURANCE PA YMENTS 18
RECEIVED BY FORMER V IDEO LOTTERY FACILIT Y EMPLOYEES DISPLACE D BY THE 19
IMPLEMENTATION OF INTERNET GAMING; 20

(4) TO ESTABLISH JOB TRA INING PROGRAMS FOR F ORMER VIDEO 21
LOTTERY FACILITY EMP LOYEES DISPLACED BY THE IMPLEMENTATION O F 22
INTERNET GAMING; AND 23

(5) FOR ANY OTHER PROGRA M ESTABLISHED BY THE MARYLAND 24
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR TO ASSIST FORMER VIDEO LOTTERY FACILITY EMPLOYEES 25
DISPLACED BY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF INTERNET GAMING. 26

(H) (1) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL INVEST THE MONEY OF THE FUND 27
IN THE SAME MANNER AS OTHER STATE MONEY MAY BE INVESTED. 28

32 SENATE BILL 885

(2) ANY INTEREST EARNINGS OF THE FUND SHALL BE CREDITED TO 1
THE GENERAL FUND OF THE STATE. 2

(I) EXPENDITURES FROM THE FUND MAY BE MADE ONLY IN ACCORDANCE 3
WITH THE STATE BUDGET. 4

(J) THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF LABOR SHALL ADOPT REGULATIONS 5
TO IMPLEMENT THIS SECTION. 6

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That § 5 –235(a) of the Education 7
Article, as enacted by Section 1 of this Act, may not be construed to reduce overall funding 8
appropriated by a county governing body based on that section of law as it existed before 9
the enactment of this Act. 10

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That: 11

(a) In accordance with Article XIX, § 1(e) of the Maryland Constitution, before 12
this Act, which authorizes additional forms or expansion of commercial gaming, becomes 13
effective, a question substantially similar to the following shall be submitted to a 14
referendum of the qualified voters of the State at the general election to be held in 15
November 2026: 16

“Do you favor the expansi on of commercial gaming in the State of Maryland to 17
authorize Internet gaming and online bingo for the primary purpose of raising revenue for 18
education?” 19

(b) The State Board of Elections shall do those things necessary and proper to 20
provide for and hold the referendum required by this section. If a majority of the votes cast 21
on the question are “For the referred law”, this Act shall become effective on the 30th day 22
following the official canvass of votes for the referendum, but if a majority of the votes cast 23
on the question are “Against the referred law”, this Act, with no further action required by 24
the General Assembly, shall be null and void. 25

SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, subject to the provisions of 26
Section 3 of this Act and for the sole purpose of providing for the referendum required by 27
Section 3 of this Act, this Act shall take effect July 1, 2026. 28