Sports betting referendum on Nov. 4 Maryland election ballot

The question of a commercial gaming expansion—specifically sports betting—is one of a number of measures on the ballot statewide for the Nov. 4 general election in Maryland.

Both the state Senate and House of Delegates worked on sports betting bills during the 2020 General Assembly session, and the Senate approved its version by a 47-0 vote. The House, however, did not move forward given some differences, and the result was a stripped-down measure that simply put sports betting on the ballot for a statewide referendum. The state’s share of revenue will be earmarked for education.

The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association supports the ballot measure, as do other industry organizations that lobbied for sports betting.