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SB 1033

local TPT; residential property; exemption

57th Legislature - Second Regular Session Introduced by John Kavanagh

Repeals Maryland's online/mobile sports wagering framework, ending mobile betting; requires refunds of certain mobile-wagering application fees and updates licensing rules.

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Bill Summary · SB 1033

Summary — SB 1033: Gaming — Online Sports Wagering — Repeal

Status: First Reading, Senate Rules (introduced Jan 31, 2025)
Primary sponsor: Senator Hughes
Companion: HB 3164

This bill would repeal Maryland’s statutory framework authorizing online (mobile) sports wagering and make related statutory reorganizations and regulatory adjustments. It also directs the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission to refund application fees in certain circumstances to applicants/holders of mobile sports wagering licenses.

Main purpose

  • To eliminate online/mobile sports wagering from Maryland law by repealing specific statutory provisions that authorized and regulated mobile/online sports wagering, and by renumbering remaining provisions of the sports wagering subtitle.
  • To require (subject to conditions in the bill) the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission to refund application fees submitted by applicants for, or holders of, mobile sports wagering licenses.

Key provisions (as drafted)

  • Repeals specific provisions in the Annotated Code of Maryland, State Government Article:
    • Repeals Sections 9‑1E‑01(e)–(g) and (k) and 9‑1E‑10 (these appear to be components of the subtitle that addressed online/mobile sports wagering).
    • Renumbers remaining provisions (9‑1E‑01(h)–(j), (l)–(p) and 9‑1E‑11–9‑1E‑17 to 9‑1E‑01(e)–(l) and 9‑1E‑10–9‑1E‑16).
  • Amends the Business Regulation Article and several other sections of the State Government Article (including but not limited to 9‑1E‑04, 9‑1E‑05, 9‑1E‑06, 9‑1E‑07, 9‑1E‑09, 9‑1E‑11, 9‑1E‑13, 9‑1E‑14) to remove or alter references to online/mobile sports wagering and to adjust licensing categories and regulatory language accordingly.
    • For example, language that previously provided for the issuance of up to 60 mobile sports wagering licenses is deleted.
    • Licensing categories remain (Class A/B facility licenses, etc.), but mobile/indexed license provisions are removed or reworked.
  • Adds a requirement (notwithstanding another provision of law) that the Lottery and Gaming Control Commission refund mobile sports wagering application fees to applicants or license holders under circumstances specified in the bill (text indicates a refund requirement but the precise conditions are not included in the excerpt).

Who would be affected

  • Mobile/online sports wagering operators and prospective applicants (would lose statutory authority to operate mobile sports wagering in Maryland).
  • Holders of existing mobile sports wagering licenses (may be eligible for fee refunds and would have to cease mobile operations).
  • State regulatory agencies (State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission; Sports Wagering Application Review Commission) — rules, licensing processes, and enforcement responsibilities would change.
  • Retail/venue-based licensees (may be affected competitively if mobile wagering is removed; facility-only wagering could remain).
  • Consumers — Maryland bettors who use mobile apps would lose that channel and likely need to place bets in-person at licensed facilities.
  • State and local revenues — removal of mobile wagering could reduce tax revenue and fee income tied to mobile wagering; the bill’s refund requirement would impose near-term outlays to reimburse fees.

Timeline and procedural notes

  • Introduced/noted as First Reading (Senate Rules) Jan 31, 2025. (A companion bill, HB 3164, exists.)
  • The excerpt shows multiple statutory amendments and reorganizations; effective timing and transitional rules (e.g., handling of existing bets, contracts, active accounts, outstanding regulatory actions) are not detailed in the provided text and would be important implementing provisions to watch for in the full bill text and any amendments.

Uncertainties / implementation issues

  • The excerpt does not specify eligibility criteria or the timeframe for refunding application fees, nor how existing mobile wagering operations and customer accounts would be unwound.
  • Fiscal impact (loss of tax revenue, refunds, enforcement costs) is not included and would typically be evaluated by the state’s fiscal office.
  • The bill renumbers and amends many statutory subsections; final practical effects depend on the complete, finalized statutory language and any regulatory follow-up.

If you’d like, I can:
- Locate the full bill text and list the exact code subsections removed/changed,
- Draft a short fiscal and market impact estimate based on Maryland mobile wagering revenue history, or
- Track legislative actions and provide status updates until final disposition.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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