Key Moments:
- 71% of Maryland voters have expressed opposition to legalizing iGaming, based on a new poll from Lake Research Partners
- Only 17% of respondents reported a favorable view of online casinos, and nearly half were unfamiliar with the concept before the poll
- Lawmakers are considering renewed efforts for iGaming expansion ahead of the 2026 legislative session, but public approval remains a major hurdle
Strong Public Pushback Challenges Maryland iGaming Prospects
The debate surrounding the legalization of online casinos in Maryland has escalated as a recent survey conducted by Lake Research Partners revealed that 71% of voters remain opposed to iGaming. Despite two years of active debate and multiple legislative hearings, lawmakers now face significant resistance as they approach the 2026 session with online gambling expansion on the agenda.
This polling, announced by the National Association Against iGaming (NAAiG), demonstrates that efforts to shift public sentiment have yet to gain traction. The findings reflect persistent apprehension among Marylanders toward digital casino gambling, even after extensive discussion in Annapolis.
A new poll from Lake Research Partners found 71% of Maryland voters oppose iGaming legalization, signaling an uphill battle for lawmakers ahead of the 2026 ballot. pic.twitter.com/n5Wb7rx4Xu
— iGB (@iGamingBusiness) October 15, 2025
Insights from the Lake Research Partners Poll
The survey, conducted among 650 registered voters in Maryland during mid-September, found only 17% support for online casinos. Almost half of the respondents indicated unfamiliarity with the concept until it was described in detail during the polling process. When iGaming was clarified as “24-hour access to casino games on mobile devices,” support dwindled further.
With a margin of error of 3.8%, the poll delivers a strong signal that most Maryland voters are not yet ready to embrace online casinos.
| Survey Result | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Opposed to iGaming Legalization | 71% |
| Favorable to Online Casinos | 17% |
Stakeholder Concerns and Industry Arguments
The NAAiG, receiving support from organizations including The Cordish Companies, Churchill Downs Inc, Jack Entertainment, unions, and municipalities, maintains that iGaming poses risks to employment, families, and established casino operations. Jason Gumer, NAAiG board member and executive vice president at Monarch Casino & Resort, commented:
“These results show that once Marylanders understand what iGambling really is, they strongly reject it. Policymakers should take note: voters are deeply concerned about the risks to children, families and communities.”
As legislators prepare for an upcoming session, these warnings come at a pivotal time for policy deliberations.
Legislative Efforts Face Stiff Resistance
Maryland’s attempts to pass iGaming legalization have stumbled twice, but proponents remain active. Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary and Senator Ron Watson have spearheaded these initiatives in consecutive sessions. In 2024, Atterbeary achieved passage of an iGaming bill in the House of Delegates, only to see it falter in the Senate amid strong objections from casinos and labor organizations.
Earlier this year, Atterbeary told fellow lawmakers:
“At this point, we’re not being left behind. We are behind, quite frankly.”
Key arguments against legalization focus on revenue cannibalization. A 2024 analysis prepared for the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission by The Innovation Group forecasted a 10% revenue decline for brick-and-mortar casinos if iGaming gains approval. Senator Watson disagreed with dire jobs forecasts, asserting:
“Folks are making money. Any casino that implements iGaming and gets rid of employees is doing it out of greed, not because they don’t have the money to do it.”
The growing dialogue now also includes scrutiny of broader gambling platforms.
Regulatory Actions Target Sweepstakes Casinos
Debate around iGaming has broadened to address unregulated sweepstakes casinos. In the previous legislative session, the Maryland Senate weighed Bill 860, which would have prohibited sweepstakes-style gaming platforms operating outside regulatory frameworks. Although the House did not advance this bill, regulators from the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency have issued several cease-and-desist letters – including one to Virtual Gaming Worlds – in a bid to curtail illicit gambling activities.
These actions underscore a sharper regulatory focus as lawmakers and officials consider future pathways for gambling in Maryland. The immediate challenge, however, is convincing the public.
Changing Perceptions: The Next Frontier in iGaming Advocacy
Moving forward, industry stakeholders recognize that public education may be crucial to overcoming voter skepticism. At the 2024 National Council of Legislators from Gaming States meeting, Senator Watson reflected on previous efforts by saying supporters thought they “had our ducks in a row,” but underestimated the scale required for success.
Any bill advancing online casinos in 2026 will require approval via a November 2026 public referendum. The electorate’s current stance suggests significant outreach remains essential. As Watson pointed out:
“We need to treat it like a campaign. The person who introduces the legislation is just the quarterback. In this case, you need a whole team behind you.”
With the latest poll indicating ongoing public opposition, Maryland legislators may need to prioritize extensive educational campaigns alongside policy proposals if they hope to bring iGaming to fruition by 2026.
- Author
Daniel Williams
